A.L. Soemowidagdo, F. Surahmanto, R. Rezani, S.B. Pramana, F. Lutfian
Redesigning mini compact crucible furnace to improve heat insulation durability and to obtain the best exhaust pipe position is needed to achieve compatibility for aluminium casting practice. Performance test of the redesigned mini compact crucible furnace was conducted by variation of crucible, support and economizer. The rate of temperature increase, the aluminium melting rate, and gas consumption for melting aluminium specify the furnace performance. The temperature change was determined by digital infrared thermometer. Heat insulator on the inner side wall of mini compact crucible furnace were redesigned by using stainless steel plate cylinder combining with ceramic blanket D.96. Total weight of the furnace decreases by 28%. This insulator combination was able to accelerate the temperature increase, maintain the heating chamber temperature, and reduce the gas consumption. The furnace was able to melt 3 kg of aluminium in 35 minutes by consuming around 1.2 kg of liquefied petroleum gas. The economiser functioned well, was able to accelerate the temperature increase, and maintain the heating chamber temperature. © 2020 Institute of Physics Publishing. All rights reserved.
Department of Mechanical Engineering Education, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia
