Drying ovens for handling flammable solvents in complete safety

Citation

(1999), "Drying ovens for handling flammable solvents in complete safety", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 28 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.1999.12928dad.009

Drying ovens for handling flammable solvents in complete safety

Drying ovens for handling flammable solvents in complete safety

Keywords: Heraeus, Ovens, Heat treatment, Solvents

Kendro Laboratory Products has launched two Heraeus Drying Ovens specially designed for the heat treatment of materials containing solvents. The LUT 6050 Circulation Drying Oven (Plate 4) is designed to dry or burn lacquers and other coating materials containing only small amounts of solvent. The FT 6060 Fresh Air Drying Oven (Plate 5) is for samples containing unlimited amounts of solvents. Both appliances can be used for solid substance determination and other laboratory operation applications. They are fitted with a comprehensive safety system and are TÛV (Technical Control Board) tested.

Plate 4 LUT 6050 Lacquer Drying Oven

Plate 5 FT6060 Fresh Air Drying Oven

Heat treating products containing flammable solvents in conventional drying ovens without explosion protection poses a special risk, because these flammable solvents can be released and come into contact with air, to form explosive mixtures. Neither the container system sealing, nor the heating and ventilation systems, nor the electrical system is designed to cope with vapours containing solvents. The appliance thus constitutes a hazard for the laboratory team and all the other laboratory equipment.

In Heraeus Lacquer Drying Ovens, a specially designed ventilation system and restriction of the amount of solvent introduced, are said to combine to prevent the formation of an explosive atmosphere. The high performance fan prevents the formation of solvent pockets. Resistant materials like stainless steel for the inner casing and silicone free plastic for the seals, make for a robust drying oven with a long service life. Model LUT 6050 has been designed in accordance with Accident Prevention Regulation VGB 24.

The Heraeus Fresh Air Drying Oven is reported suitable for products and materials containing solvents in Temperature Classes T1 (acetone, for example) to T4 (diethyl ether, for example). According to Kendro two linked safety systems ensure explosion protection. The first supplies the FT 6060 Heating Oven's work space with a continuous flow of separately heated fresh air conveyed via a labyrinth. Any solvent vapours released are diluted and immediately exhausted. The second ensures that the work space surface temperature never exceeds the permitted levels at any point.

Details from Kendro Laboratory Products GmbH. Tel: +49 (6181) 35300; Fax: +49 (6181) 35-5973; E-Mail: info@kendro.de