Harper International, Buffalo, N.Y., has developed an on-line furnace cleaning system that is located in the entrance section, which enables cleaning while the furnace is hot. Left untended, debris and filament buildup impedes and disrupts smooth gas flow in a carbon fiber high-temperature furnace, resulting in non-uniform properties across the tow band. The debris needs to be removed periodically during the operation of a fiber production line. However, traditional cleaning techniques require reduction of furnace temperatures in order to gain access for cleaning, resulting in reduced furnace run times.
To prevent exposure of the furnace to an air atmosphere, the on-line cleaning feature is self-contained and sealed with an incorporated nitrogen purge. Additionally, Harper’s on-line cleaning system includes sight-ports that permit the operator to see into the process chamber to assess the level and location of the debris. Utilizing the on-line cleaning feature enables improved fiber thermal uniformity and increased furnace utilization.
“Continuous uniformity across the tow band throughout the entire campaign has never been more achievable than with Harper’s innovative online cleaning system,” says Rebecca Stephenson, Applications Engineer. “Increased fiber quality throughout the whole production campaign is now possible with this solution for removing debris that negatively impacts the velocity uniformity within the HT furnace throat.”
