Laboratory Muffle Furnaces are high-temperature furnaces that can be used for various applications. They have been developed and manufactured for over 40 years to meet the needs of several markets, including medicine, research, and food production.
There are many different types of furnaces on the market, so it's important to know what you want before shopping. These muffle furnaces are widely used, from science labs to industries. However, while many muffle furnaces are available in the market, not all of them are built the same.
You need to find a perfect furnace that best matches your requirements. However, there are a few things you can look for while buying a muffle furnace for your laboratory. This guide will tell you everything you need to know before buying a Laboratory Muffle Furnace.
An Introduction to Muffle Furnaces
Muffle Furnaces For Sale are designed to heat or smelt a wide range of materials from glass and gold to steel, graphite and silicon. While several types of furnaces are on the market, laboratory furnaces are most widely used nowadays. This type of furnace has two distinct elements: the chamber and the infrared radiation source, which heat materials.
A muffle furnace emits infrared radiation through conduction and convection. So, it involves heating material with radiation and transferring heat by conduction between chambers. Only one chamber is used in most cases because it's easier to work with one chamber than with two separate ones.
Factors To Consider While Buying Muffle Furnaces
Selecting an ideal muffle furnace is an important task for a scientist or a lab engineer. However, there are a few factors that you need to consider. For instance, the requirements are different from one industry to another. So, it's vital to note down all the details your lab requires. Here are a few factors that you should consider before buying a muffle furnace for your lab:
Number of Chambers
First of all, you need to decide how many chambers you want. Most laboratories use only one chamber because it offers better control and efficiency than two separate chambers. This is particularly useful in the case of mixed chemistry experiments where it is difficult to maintain uniform temperature without using two chambers.
Size Of The Chamber
The size of the chambers is another essential issue to consider. In most cases, the size of most muffle furnaces can range from a few inches to 25-30 inches in diameter. However, this has a tremendous effect on the furnace's cost, efficiency, and overall performance.
Size Of The Radiation Source
You need to decide if your chamber should be built using infrared radiation or radiant heat transfer technology. For instance, an infrared radiation-based furnace will require a larger source than an ordinary radiant heat transfer furnace. You should also consider other features such as convection and conduction between two chambers if you opt for a ceramic chamber or an additional chamber that uses radiant heat transfer technology.
Temperature Control
The temperature range is another critical aspect that you need to consider. You should ensure that your chamber can control different temperatures across different parts of the heating chamber. Some furnaces can get temperatures as high as 3500° C, so you should look at this feature before making a final decision.
Operating Cost
The operating cost is an essential factor in most cases. These muffle furnaces are used in industries where most of the operations are performed around heating equipment and not laboratory analysis. That's why such a furnace can be more expensive than normal muffle furnaces used in laboratories.
Safety Features
Every laboratory furnace is designed for the safe use of personnel. Therefore, you need to ensure that your muffle furnace is safe enough to use in your laboratory environment. Additionally, the furnace's output is another essential aspect that you need to verify before buying a furnace. The higher the furnace's output, the more heat it can radiate and transfer simultaneously over a wider range of temperatures.
Most manufacturers provide a lab purchase restriction on their furnaces that ensures they can only be used in laboratories or research facilities. So next time when you are out there looking for muffle furnaces, then make sure to consider these tips.
Final Words
Since most muffle furnaces being sold to laboratories contain only one chamber, consider it an important factor before making a final decision. Other factors like size and amount of chambers are also important to consider. Additionally, it is crucial to check the temperature range produced by your furnace and safety features for safe operation.
Original Source: https://mazingus.com/a-complete-buying-guide-for-laboratory-muffle-furnaces/