Diseño y construcción de un horno crisol calefaccionado por GLP semiautomatizado para la obtención de bronce para el taller granito de mostaza de la ciudad de Riobamba

Abstract

The objective of this technical project was to design and build a semi-automated GLP-heated crucible furnace to obtain bronze for the workshop Granito de Mostaza of Riobamba city. For which bibliographic research was carried out to know the types of furnaces used in the smelting of metals and alloys with which it was determined that the furnaces for low capacities were the most appropriate, with the selection criteria and established operating parameters could be selected for the design, the stationary crucible furnace, and LPG as fuel for its operation. Heat transfer calculations were developed, which helped to select the refractory wall thicknesses and dimensions for the furnace construction. For the design and modeling, SolidWorks software was used, in which a static analysis of the support structure was performed, and to validate the behavior of the furnace, a thermal simulation was carried out using ANSYS. Once the design was validated, the melting furnace was built and assembled with a capacity of 60 kg of bronze alloy, it has a semi-automated combustion system and can operate at a maximum temperature of 1200 °C; its use is extended to other metals whose melting temperatures are below 1200 °C. The operation of the equipment was tested by performing preheating and hot start operation tests, with which it was possible to establish that to melt 60 kg of bronze alloy, which is the maximum capacity of the crucible, 50 minutes of operation, and approximately 5 kg of LPG fuel were necessary. Finally, the furnace was designed according to mechanical or automated system for the lid lifting.