Industrial ovens can be considered consumers of expensive energy. What do you need to think about to ensure yours is as efficient as possible?
Industrial ovens are an essential element of many manufacturing processes for curing, drying or baking. However, they use an enormous amount of energy – up to 20 per cent of industrial energy. That makes industrial heating one of the biggest cost points for industry and manufacturers.
Solving the problem of efficiency requires consideration of three factors:
The design of the oven.
Regular maintenance.
The way the oven is used.
With respect to oven design, there are several factors to take into account. Some examples include the type of energy used to generate the heat (for instance gas or electricity), the nature and quality of insulation, air recirculation, heat recovery, heating process (e.g. conveyor designs will require attention to the heat curtains at each end of the tunnel, while stand-alone ovens will require attention to the doors) and process times (the more efficient the process, the less energy is required to achieve the desired outcome).
Construction materials, wall thickness and blower technology are also important factors.
Another essential design factor to take account of is the way in which the heating process and infrastructure integrates with the overall manufacturing process. A well-integrated process will minimise delays, make product movement more efficient and deliver improved energy efficiency outcomes, reducing costs.
Automation and systems controls are equally important, providing improved decision-making and supervisory control of oven use.
Oven maintenance is also extremely important in keeping oven efficiency – whether its insulation, filters and blowers or heating system settings, ensuring your oven is operating optimally and helping you to keep on top of your energy use, it is also important to reduce manufacturing downtime.
Just as important is how the oven is used. For example, limiting the number of times that the oven has to be opened and keeping load carts and racks as low as possible, to reduce the amount of energy required to heat them and direct the energy to the primary manufacturing purpose.
As with any other industrial process, it is essential that an industrial oven is fit for purpose, delivers the required outcomes and results in the highest quality products while also integrating seamlessly with the overall manufacturing or industrial process. That means, if you need to introduce or upgrade an industrial heating plant, it is essential to engage with industry experts that understand what is required and can help you from the start of the planning process through to delivery of the final solution.
DRYSYS is one of the few leading industrial oven manufacturers to provide high quality, efficient and safe built-to-order industrial ovens, in Australia. As leaders in bespoke engineering, our clients trust us for designing, constructing, testing, and commissioning industrial ovens that integrate seamlessly with existing production lines.
Importantly, when you choose to partner with DRYSYS we take the time to understand what your specific requirements are. And our team of experts can provide everything from design through to build and installation of your industrial heating requirements, with ongoing support.