The CAF G5 is a furnace designed to test ash fusibility, and optionally, the increasingly popular determination of biomass or solid recovered fuels testing.
The coal ash fusibility test furnace conforms to the Standards ISO 540:2008; ASTM D 1857 / D1857M – 18; DIN 51730:2007-09; DD CEN/TS 15370-1:2006 and PD CEN/TR 15404:2010 (solid recovered fuels (SRF)).
The CAF G5’s automatic and continuous recording of digital images allows laboratory technicians to carry out other tasks while the test is in progress, reviewing results later. The new CAF G5 greatly enhances the quality of the recorded images and test results increasing efficiency in laboratories.
The maximum temperature of 1600 °C enables both biomass and coal testing. An optional work tube integrated lighting system is also available when testing low ‘initial deformation’ temperature of SRF or biomass samples.
Standard features
- Analysis software which can be used in fully automatic or manual modes for coal ash samples and manual only for biomass and SRF samples.
- Software zoom function to enable accurate post-test analysis of individual samples with improved resolution
- One configurable grid assigned to each test piece
- Temperature controller program set up within the software
- Space saving embedded computer with Windows IoT Enterprise software runs future proof firmware
- Default software settings and individual analysis form for coal ash, biomass and SRF
- An optional work tube integrated lighting system when testing low initial deformation temperature of biomass or SRF samples
- Lightweight insulation allows quick cooling permitting multiple tests to be completed during the day
- Automated digital image capture of samples. The frequency of images recorded is set by customer preference, from every 1 °C increment to every 20 °C. The maximum interval for auto analysis is 5°C.
Ash Fusibility Test Furnace - CAF G5 Technical details
View inside
- 1600 °C tube furnace with integral SiC elements
- External link to embedded PC & software
- Flow meters for oxidising, reducing gas flow (dependant on the requirements of the standards)
- 79 mm inner diameter work tube allows more than 6 samples
- Digital camera for fast and accurate image recording
- Gas tight seal for efficient use of gases & safety of operator
- Automatic temperature programmer with multiple PID control
- Gas inlets for reducing, oxidising & purge gasses
- Oxidising or reducing gas selection switch
- Work tube integrated light for use when testing low ‘initial deformation’ temperature of biomass and SRF samples (optional)
Ash Fusibility Test Furnace - CAF G5 Technical Data
| Temperature Range | Up to 1600 °C (1600 °C required for some biomass samples) |
|---|---|
| Temperature Precision | ± 3 °C above 800 °C |
| Temperature Ramp Rate | 7 °C per minute |
| Temperature Control | Digital multiple PID terms with gain scheduling and multi offset parameters |
| Temperature Display | °C |
| Work Tube dimensions | 79 mm internal diameter |
| Tube material | Mullite |
| Heating Elements | Silicon carbide x 6 |
| Maximum Sample Load, Manual Analysis | 8 |
| Maximum Sample Load, Automatic Analysis | 6 |
| Conforms to Standards | BS ISO 540:2008; ASTM D 1857 / D1857M -18); DIN 51730:2007-09;DD CEN/TS 15370-1:2006; PD CEN/TR 15404:2010 |
| Ash Fusibility Determination | Automatic or Manual (Coal & coke: DT, ST, H, FT) Manual only (Biomass / SRF: IST, DT, HT, FT) |
| Analysis Time | 3 runs per working day (including cool down times) |
| Image Collection | Digital - up to 1 frame per 1 °C rise in temperature |
| Image Resolution | 1280 x 1024 pixels |
| Gas Requirements: Purge | N2 or CO2 |
| Gas Requirements: Oxidising | CO2 or Air |
| Gas Requirements: Reducing | CO + CO2 or H2 + CO2 |
| Ventilation | Forced air ventilation |
| Exhaust | Pipe to be vented into a separate fume hood |
| Safety | Fail safe gas system and CO alarm supplied |
| Physical Dimensions (mm) | 790 (h) x 505 (w) x 765 (case depth) x 970 (overall depth) |
| Weight (kg) (furnace) | 84 |
| Power supply | 380 - 415 V, 50/60 Hz two phase 25 A/phase or 220 - 240 V, 50/60 Hz single phase 50 A |
| Power switching | Solid state relays |
| Maximum power consumption (kW) | 7 |
| Environment Conditions - Operating Conditions | 5 °C - 40 °C |
| Environment Conditions - Relative Humidity | maximum 80 % up to 31 °C decreasing linearly to 50 % at 40 °C |
| Overtemperature protection | Digital with single high alarm relay |
Ash Fusibility Test Furnace - CAF G5 Downloads
The future of ash fusion analysis
Professor Ed Lester and Thomas Huddle, University of Nottingham, Patrick Daley, the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Carbon Capture and Storage and Cleaner Fossil Energy, and Paul Haigh, Carbolite Gero Ltd, UK, detail advances in ash fusion analysis.
