Environmentally Friendly Mini Clean Flow Heater Replaces Gas Burner System

Mini Clean Flow Heater

BACKGROUND

The application involved using environmentally friendly electric heat replacing a gas burner type system.  The engineering request was to conform to a direct replacement 3” stainless tubing while utilizing BCE’s Mini Clean Flow In-line design.  The challenge was building the right inlet and outlet fittings in-line for a seamless change in the air heating process (gas to electric).  Electrically isolated elements in the air stream were required with a high temperature thermocouple assembly near the outlet.

SCOPE

Mini Clean Flow – Hi Wattage needed to satisfy the following:
  • Temperature 482°C to 648°C
  • Internal element must be able to withstand temperature <750°C and be electrically isolated
  • 3” outside diameter, no insulation 
  • A sanitary fitting on the inlet with an NPT on the outlet
  • A cold section on the heat source was required with fiberglass leads  
  • 304 stainless steel material on the heat source and vessel 
  • Type “J” Thermocouple able to withstand high temp at the outlet  
  • 480Volt, 7,000Watt (+/-10%)  

OUTCOME

BCE produced a highly effective Mini Clean Flow heater meeting the delta “T” requirements during the final testing.  We were able to pressure test the part to 90PSI @ 20⁰C-25⁰ without any visible leaks in the weld or braze joints.    A thorough quality inspection was completed on the heater source with final cleaning using isopropyl alcohol and dry air. 


+1 510-274-1990

BCE Responds to Chip Shortage with 450mm Vacuum Heater Chuck Design

50mm Vacuum Heater Chuck

BACKGROUND

With the existing chip shortage, an atomic layer deposition (ALD) application up to 360⁰C was the focus of the latest BCE Vacuum Heater Chuck. A compressed assembly was used with many vacuum holes and grooves in the bottom plate to allow the gases to escape during pump down of the vacuum chamber. No surface anodizing was required.

SCOPE

450mm Vacuum Heater Chuck needed to satisfy the following:
  • Temperature <361°C
  • Internal element must be able to withstand temperature <601°C
  • Top surface 16ra
  • A cold section was needed with added thickness for a vacuum fitting
  • 304 Stainless Steel Heat Source
  • 240Volt, 3850Watt (+/-10%)
  • Type “K” Thermocouple was placed near edge (or built-in to heat source)
  • Maximum allowable grooves and holes on the bottom plate to allow any trapped gases to escape

OUTCOME

BCE produced a highly effective vacuum heater which reached an atmospheric temperature of 360°C in under 30 minutes. The reduced mass on the bottom plate provided proper gas elimination with a quicker initial ramp time. Due to this decreased ramp time in atmosphere, a reduced wattage may be an option for the next iteration of the 450mm Vacuum Heater Chuck.


BCE
+1 510-274-1990