DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A SALT BATH FURNACE

This research work is centered on the design of a low cost – efficient salt bath furnace using locally sourced materials for the purpose of carrying out thermochemical treatments of small and minor components for improved properties in service. Working drawings were produced; and mild steel sheet was used for the construction of the furnace casing while other materials for the construction were selected based on functions and properties of the materials, cost considerations and ease of fabrication into component parts. Testing was carried out to evaluate the performance of the furnace. From the results obtained, it was observed that the salt bath furnace has fast heating rate 12.53°C/min and a fuel consumption rate of 2.1 litres/hr, which is comparable to rates of conventional brands of diesel fired salt bath and muffle furnaces purchased from abroad. The lower cost of design of the furnace coupled with its good heat retaining capacity, uniform heating rate, long estimated life time, safety and ease of maintenance justifies the usage.