Preheating Technology
Engineered Preheating Systems for Molten Metal Handling Products
Preheating your ladles, troughs, tundishes, and other molten metal handling products can make or break your operations’ throughput. Our in-house team of combustion experts designs burners and combustion systems that create an even, fast heat inside the ladle. Onex has extensive experience partnering with molten metal companies to design manual or automatic preheaters to maximize the life of the refractory and the ladle itself.
FEATURES
High Grade Steel Construction
Integrated Refractory Lining
Vertical or Horizontal Lift System
Dedicated PLC Controls
BENEFITS
Standard Designs
Dedicated Combustion Experts
Superior Refractory Services
Proven Portability
What Makes Preheating Steel, Aluminum, and Other Non-Ferrous Tools A Challenge?
While ferrous tools composed of metals such as steel and iron have relatively high melting points between 1,370°C and 1,540°C, non-ferrous tools like aluminum and copper have much lower melting points (around 660°C for aluminum and 1,085°C for copper). This difference also affects their thermal conductivity—ferrous tools have higher thermal conductivity, allowing for more efficient heat transfer and the ability to withstand more intense preheating without risk of damage. In contrast, non-ferrous tools have lower thermal conductivity, making them more susceptible to damage if preheating is not carefully controlled and gradual.
Our experts have engineered preheating systems with PLC controls to ensure precise management of the heat-up and cool-down processes. This minimizes the risk of thermal shock, preventing severe damage to non-ferrous tools by maintaining a steady, controlled temperature increase and gradual cool-down, protecting both the tools and the refractory lining.
Why Choose Onex for Your Preheaters?
Standard Designs
Whether you’re looking for a horizontal or vertical preheater, Onex has it designed. Work with the team to provide a few basic process parameters, choose standalone or PLC controlled, and let Onex take it from there. We have experience in design and configuration of all Allen Bradley, Honeywell, and Watlo controls and systems.
Superior Refractory Services
Onex can design a refractory system that will work in conjunction with a preheater to prolong the life of the lining. The preheater aids in creating the temperature uniformity, which allows the refractory to be brought to operating temperature, avoiding thermal shock and potential immediate refractory failure.
Dedicated Combustion Experts
Our in-house team of combustion experts design the burners and combustion system to create an even fast heat inside the ladle. Based on the available plant supply gas and electric configuration, we have a portfolio of burners to choose from. When possible, we utilize high velocity burners from Fives North American, Bloom, or Eclipse that aid in the swirl effect needed to heat the unit uniformly.
Proven Portability
Our standard designed systems can either be stationary or on a portable designed cart, allowing for easy transportation throughout your plant. When choosing a portable cart, Onex take special consideration in the safe design of the combustion and electrical systems to make sure they can be easily moved and disconnected.