Keep Temporary Fixes Temporary

Emergencies can throw your whole operation into a tailspin if you’re not prepared. In a manufacturing facility, where being “down” means an idle workforce and lost revenue, the tendency is to use any means necessary to continue running production. Sometimes this means finding temporary solutions. Unfortunately, a temporary solution might become permanent for lack of attention. Especially when the urgency of the down situation has passed.

When dealing with industrial heating equipment, regular maintenance is vital for safety of personnel and property. Regular maintenance is also vital for fuel efficiency, temperature uniformity, and emissions. A temporary fix might get you out of trouble, but you should take care that it is truly temporary, otherwise you could face an even greater issue later on.

Take the example in the image above. Industrial furnaces are typically made of a steel shell, lined with refractory insulation. The insulation performs several tasks, including keeping the heat inside the furnace, protecting the steel shell, and often protecting the burners as well. Refractory wears out over time, and a periodic reline of the furnace is required. Neglecting your refractory can lead to hot spots, damaged burners, and rapid deterioration of the steel shell — eventually leading to open seams, cracks, and holes, through which heat can escape, and “tramp” air can enter.

Fuel efficiency suffers in this situation, because heat is leeching into the factory, instead of staying in the furnace. Also, the introduction of ambient (tramp) air lowers the furnace temperature, as energy is used to heat the extra (cold) air.

Unwanted and/or harmful emissions can result from tramp air and blocked or damaged burners.

We encourage you therefore to keep a maintenance schedule appropriate to your application. Regular checks of your equipment can help prepare you for repair or replacement needs before they become an emergency. Not only that, but regular checks can also help ensure that you keep temporary fixes temporary.

Combustion 911 offers quality spare and replacement parts for your combustion system from stock in Kent, Ohio. We can help you cross over the part you need to one we have on hand. We also offer training classes designed to help your team make safe, informed decisions about your industrial combustion equipment. Contact us today!