Metal Minutes - Aluminum Heat Processing News
ALUMINUM HEAT PROCESSING NEWS

Aluminum Furnace Maintenance Tips

 

Use and Maintenance of Bypass Coolers

Bypass Cooler for Coil Annealing FurnaceSECO/WARWICK provides an optional bypass cooler for annealing furnaces.

Cooling  under a protective atmosphere for either metallurgical or handling considerations is very important in this application. The coolers use an internal bypass arrangement which limits the temperature of the atmosphere going through the heat exchangers to 350°F (177°). 

Limiting the incoming temperature to 350º prevents baking mill oil and other deposits onto the coil fins.

Maintenance items for coolers include:

  • Lubricate the bearings
  • Be sure the 350 degree temperature control keeps working
  • Be sure the water temperature control valve controls the water outlet temperature to not more than 120ºF (48°C).
  • Be sure the oil drain trap is functioning to continuously drain all of the rolling mill oil that is driven out of the aluminum load and condensed in the cooler.  If oil does not drain, it will accumulate and could become an explosion hazard under certain conditions.
  • Check water pressure drop through the coil and clean it if it starts to plug up.
  • Check air pressures in the cooler.  There are pressure taps on the side of the cooler to measure internal pressure with a water manometer.  These pressures should be recorded when the unit is new.  Readings are taken before and after the filters and coils.  An increase in pressure drop indicates the need to replace the filters or clean the air side of the coils.

The latest design, materials and equipment specifications should be obtained from the company before any reliance is placed on the enclosed since changes may occur due to product improvement.

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SECO/WARWICK Aluminum Furnace Group

P. O. Box 908 180 Mercer Street Meadville, PA 16335-6908  USA
Phone (814)332-8400 - Fax (814)724-1407
info@secowarwick.com

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