Modeling, Simulation and Thermal Analysis of the Electric Resistance Furnace used in the Heat Treatment of Clay Based Ceramics

Abstract

Electric resistance furnace is an improved type of furnace than the fuel fired furnaces that operate with the aid of electricity. In this type of furnace, the desired temperature inside the furnace for heat treatment of clay based ceramics is obtained by the use of a heating element which generates heat based on the Joules law of heating. Electric resistance furnace can replace the traditional fuel fired furnace in the pottery and ceramic industry as these furnaces utilize the electricity to heat treat the clay based ceramics in a more uniform manner. Any attempt to preserve the heat or minimize the losses would result in an increased efficiency of the furnace and hence the subsequent energy saving. In this study, an electric resistance furnace is modeled and an attempt to study the thermal behaviour of the furnace is made. The temperature distribution in the walls, the furnace internal environment and the material to be treated are the scope of this study. The results were then verified with the experimental data obtained from the field visit for the outer wall temperature and the furnace internal temperature. Computational study show the temperature deviation on the walls of the furnace below 14% and internal temperature below 5% than that of the experimental value. Further, an attempt to reduce the external wall temperature and heat flux is made by certain variations in the insulating material.