GAS CONSUMPTION FOR CARBURIZING
Although the advantages offered by the gas-fired furnace for carburizing have been generally recognized in the past from points of view as close temperature regulation, decreased attendance, and greater convenience, very little information has been published regarding the consumption of gas for this process. It has therefore been a matter of great difficulty to obtain authentic information upon this point, either from makers or users of such furnaces.
In view of this, the details of actual consumption of gas on a regular customer's order job will be of interest. The "Revergen" furnace, manufactured by the Davis Furnace Company, Luton, Bedford, England, was used on this job, and is provided with regenerators and fired with illuminating gas at ordinary pressure, the air being introduced to the furnace at a slight pressure of 3 to 4 in. water gage. The material was charged into a cold furnace, raised to 1,652°F., and maintained at that temperature for 8 hr. to give the necessary depth of case. The work consisted of automobile gears packed in six boxes, the total weight being 713 lb. The required temperature of 1,652°F. was obtained in 70 min. from lighting up, and a summary of the data is shown in the following table:
| Cubic Foot Per Pound of Load | Total Number of Cubic Foot | |
|---|---|---|
| Gas to raise furnace and charge from cold to 1,652°F., 70 min. | 1.29 | 925 |
| Gas to maintain 1,652°F. for 1st hour | 0.38 | 275 |
| Gas to maintain 1,652°F. for 2nd hour | 0.42 | 300 |
| Gas to maintain 1,652°F. for 3rd hour | 0.38 | 275 |
| Gas to maintain 1,652°F. for 4th hour | 0.42 | 300 |
| Gas to maintain 1,652°F. for 5th hour | 0.49 | 350 |
| Gas to maintain 1,652°F. for 6th hour | 0.49 | 350 |
| Gas to maintain 1,652°F. for 7th hour | 0.45 | 325 |
| Gas to maintain 1,652°F. for 8th hour | 0.45 | 325 |
The overall gas consumption for this run of 9 hr. 10 min. was only 4.8 cu. ft. per pound of load.