Solar Atmospheres Completes Hot-Zone Replacement of Furnace

HERMITAGE, Pa. — Solar Atmospheres of Western Pennsylvania recently completed a hot-zone replacement on one of its larger horizontal car bottom loading furnaces.

The rebuild, which replaced insulation on the rings, doors and installed new heating elements along the length of the furnace, transformed the large heating implement to essentially “new” condition.

The furnace’s work zone – 54 inches wide by 54 inches high and 144 inches in length – had its second hot zone rebuilding in the 17 years of operation. The furnace, which has a load capacity of 50,000 pounds, has been in service since 2003. It is the first furnace built by Solar Atmosphere’s sister company, Solar Manufacturing.

The hot zone consists of three ring assemblies along the length of the furnace to support the furnace graphite felt insulation and the circular graphite heating elements. Loading cars have insulation and heating elements provided, resulting in uniform heating on the bottom of the furnace hot zone.

Pictured: Solar Atmospheres of Western Pennsylvania’s horizontal car bottom loading furnace.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.