Burner control queation

C

CDH

Joined
Jun 8, 2007
Messages
283
Maybe I missed it in the tutorials and online plans I have studied, but I haven't found a satisfactory answer to this one design dilemma.

I am working on plans and parts for a salt pot. Since I work in industrial controls I have a pretty good understanding of control options, but I see 2 paths for good control.

My assumptions are that I will have a single controller and on-off control only, so variable flow (as much as I would love to do it!) is out.

I see 2 options. First: A dual burner is the easiest to design, with one burner always on and tuned via valving to set the system at some level below but near the operating temperature, and a second burner with the controller+solenoid turning it on and off for temperature maintenance. It'll work, but it'll be the most complex and probably most costly.

Second: A single burner is simple and cheaper, but I have one serious reservation. When it cycles, is it going to reignite reliably from the hot metal/insulation or does this create a flash hazard?

What do you guys do? Pilot burner? Auto ignitor? Other????
 
Put in an ignition transformer and spark plug igniter. You can have it re-light manually, but it makes me a little nervous. Your controller may be able to modulate it by itself, or you can put in a programmable controller to handle some of the control/safety functions.

:)

-Darren
 
At operating temperatures for a salt pot, the gas will ignite instantly. I still favor a two stage setup. I posted a schematic for one a while back on a forge thread. With the lower stage set for just below the target temp, the upper stage will cycle on and off to keep the temp at the exact spot.
Stacy
 
I would include a high temp controller for over temp runaway based on experience at heat treat facility in the complex I worked at.

Had a fire, not at the heat treat place, with a oven used for preheating materials, after that every oven/furnace had seperate over temp controllers installed.
 
I am just finishing up a system, like bladesmith is talking about, if you need any information along this line. I'll be running the forge up for the first time this weekend.

Fred
 
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