Diseño y construcción de un horno de fundición de aluminio para la Facultad de Mecánica

Abstract

This research aimed to design and build a furnace to melt aluminum, the same one implemented in the foundry workshop of the Mechanics Faculty in ESPOCH. For this process, a technical visit was carried out, verifying the types of furnaces used within the workshop, the model selection criteria, and the dimensions were made based on the size of the crucible with the capacity to melt 6 Kg of aluminum. Diesel was used as fuel for the operation of the furnace. This was determined through the burnt KARLIN M41000 model that belongs to an old non-operative furnace. Then, an analysis was developed using specialized design and modeling software starting from a circular matrix of refractory bricks around the crucible with an opening determined by the manufacturer of 40 mm. The losses between the walls were calculated, which helped verify the selection of the materials. A simulation was carried out using static analysis and thermal analysis software to validate the design and the calculations. The behavior of the metallic structure and the furnace's internal temperature was validated. Once validated, the smelting furnace was built with a capacity of 6 kg of aluminum that operates at a temperature greater than 800 degrees Celsius. And it is used to extend to soft materials lower than that temperature. The furnace operation was verified utilizing a foundry practice, preheating tests, and the smelting of material, and a mold was also made where the molten aluminum was poured, forming 2 test tubes. For this entire process, 1 hour of operation with 2 gallons of diesel was required. Finally, the oven was designed according to the needs and requirements, so its use is recommended.