High-Temperature Furnaces

Choosing the Right High-Temperature Furnace

High-temperature furnaces are widely used in many scientific, industrial, and research applications. These applications include materials testing, thermal processing or volatile radionuclide extraction and selecting the right equipment is crucial to achieving accurate and efficient results. In this guide, Raddec presents several factors to consider when choosing a high-temperature furnace. Raddec’s Pyrolyser innovative and unique furnace systems are designed specifically to extract volatile radionclides (e.g. tritium, carbon-14, chlorine-36 and iodine-129) from any material.

High Temperature Furnace

Key Considerations when Choosing a High-Temperature Furnace

Temperature Range

Different applications require different furnace designs and temperature capabilities. Pyrolyser multi-zone furnaces, for example, are designed purposefully with custom controllers to enable quantitative volatile radionuclides extraction under carefully controlled thermal conditions up to 900 oC. They can also be configured to determine thermal evolution profiles for different volatile radionuclide species.

Material Compatibility

The materials being processed influence the choice of furnace. Some applications require resistance to corrosive or reactive substances, while others need compatibility with delicate samples. Choosing a furnace with appropriate chamber materials and linings ensures longevity and reliability.

Heating Method

High-temperature furnaces use various heating methods, including resistance heating, induction heating, and combustion-based systems. The choice depends on factors such as efficiency, precision, and application-specific requirements. Raddec furnaces are multi-zone, multi-worktube systems. The heating method uses free-radiating resistance elements to ensures a rapid and efficient heating response.

Automation and Control Systems

Modern furnaces feature advanced automation and control systems to improve accuracy and repeatability. Programmable temperature settings, safety shut-offs, and remote monitoring enhance operational efficiency and user safety. Raddec Pyrolyser systems are specifically designed for the efficient thermal desorption and selective extraction of volatile radionuclides from any material. This selectivity is partly determined by using heating profiles controlled by state-of-the-art HMI-PLC system running Raddec’s custom software.

Size and Space Requirements

Laboratories and industrial facilities often have space constraints. Selecting a compact system without compromising performance can be beneficial, particularly for mobile laboratories or confined environments.

Types of High-Temperature Furnaces

General-Purpose Laboratory Furnaces

These are commonly used in academic and research institutions for controlled heating applications.They offer versatility but may lack the control required for specialised tasks.

Industrial High-Temperature Ovens

Designed for large-scale thermal processing, these ovens provide high-volume heating capabilities. However, they may not be suitable for applications requiring precise volatile radionuclide extraction.

Raddec’s Specialised Solutions for extraction of volatile radionuclides

Raddec offers a range of high-temperature furnace systems designed for radioanalytical applications that include the Pyrolyser-Trio Furnace System and the Pyrolyser Mini Furnace System.

The Pyrolyser-Trio Furnace Systems are efficient instruments optimised for extracting volatile radionuclides (tritium, carbon-14, chlorine-36, and iodine-129) providing accurate and reliable results for nuclear decommissioning and environmental monitoring purposes.

The Pyrolyser Mini Furnace System offers a compact alternative for laboratories having particular constraints such as limited space or when enclosures are required for handling higher activity materials.

The Hyperbaric Oxidiser (HBO2).This device enables the rapid combustion and extraction of tritium and carbon-14 from large environmental samples. This occurs using a pressurised closed-system oxygen chamber and provides a high efficiency approach to extraction of HTO and CO2 in radiochemical analysis.

Need Radioanalytical Support?

Selecting the right high-temperature furnace system depends on several factors, including temperature range, material compatibility, heating method, and space constraints. While general-purpose furnaces have their place, specialised analytical furnaces offer the precision required for advanced scientific applications. Raddec’s unique and extensive radioanalytical expertise provides high-performance solutions tailored to volatile radionuclide extraction to ensure reproducibility, accuracy and reliability in research and industry.

For more information on how Raddec’s high-temperature furnaces can support your analytical needs, contact us today!

Posted on 8th March, 2025