CONSTRUCTION AND TESTING OF AN OPEN-PIT CHARCOAL FURNACE FOR MELTING NON-FEROUS METALS

Abstract

In this work, the open-pit charcoal furnace was successfully constructed using locally available materials. Both laboratory and field test were conducted and the efficiency was found to be 85%.The furnace comprises of some major parts which are as follows: the heating chamber, blower, electric motor and air pipe unit. The open-pit furnace operate on the principle by which air is required for combustion is supplied by the blower to blow air through the air pipe to the heating chamber of the furnace so that temperature of about 2000°c could be attained as a result of burning charcoal in the heating chamber. Non-ferrous metal like zinc (Zn), Brass (Br), Aluminum (Al) and lead (Pb) e.tc could be melted in order to produce cast products. The machine was tested and approved. It can be useful in the workshops or factory.