DESIGN OF A 50-KILOGRAM CAPACITY CAST IRON CRUCIBLE FURNACE USING LOCALLY AVAILABLE MATERIALS

Asibeluo, I. S, Ogwor O.E

Abstract: This research work focuses on the design of a 50-kilogram capacity Cast-iron crucible furnace that is fired with diesel fuel. The furnace drum has an overall combustion capacity of 0.1404m3 . It is fitted with a chimney to allow for the easy escape of combustion gases. The air blower discharge air into the furnace at the rate of 0.3m3 /s with an air/fuel ratio of 400:1. The castiron crucible furnace is designed to consume 4 gallons of diesel fuel with a rating of 139000kj/gallon which is required to completely melt 50-kilogram of cast iron over a period of 90min. The designed operation temperature range of the cast–iron crucible furnace is 13000C to 14000C. The cost of the cast-iron crucible furnace is three hundred and forty-eight thousand naira (N348, 000.00).

Keywords: Furnace, Crucible, Cast Iron, Melting temperature, Efficiency

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15623/ijret.2015.0403088