superheated steam technology

What is superheated steam (SHS)?

Superheated steam (Kanetsu suijoki, English: super heated steam, abbreviation: SHS) is one of the states of steam. ) is gas. Generally, in the process of heating water and changing it to steam, when the steam reaches a saturated state, it becomes superheated steam by adding more heat. Superheated steam has high energy density and thermal efficiency and is used in many industrial processes and power plants.

Characteristics of superheated steam (SHS)

①Rapid heating is possible by combined heat transfer

Superheated steam (SHS) has four times the thermal energy (per volume) compared to hot air, and can be heated by combined heat transfer of convection, radiation, and condensation.

(2) Making the inside of the furnace (under the processing atmosphere) extremely low-oxygen atmosphere

Under a superheated steam atmosphere, an extremely low oxygen atmosphere effect similar to that of an inert gas can be obtained, and oxidation suppression, thermal decomposition treatment, and carbonization treatment are possible.

Fields and applications of superheated steam (SHS) technology

Automotive field

• Cleaning and degreasing of cutting chips of aluminum alloys (AC, ADC, etc.)
• Cleaning and degreasing of aluminum alloy (AC, ADC, etc.) briquettes
• Cleaning and degreasing of deformed materials, plates and parts

Metal material field

• Cleaning and degreasing of various metal cutting chips
  (Copper alloy system, iron system, SUS system, special metal system: Inconel, etc.)
• Waste and recycled materials (UBC, shredder materials, mixed metals, etc.)
• Cleaning and degreasing of deformed materials, plates and parts

Environmental field

• Recovery of valuable metals (e.g. waste substrates, etc.)
• Pyrolysis treatment of organic matter (carbon-based, plastic-based, and other organic matter)
• Carbonization (food waste, contaminated soil, etc.)

Chemical powder field

• Drying, firing treatment
• Activation treatment
• Removal of organic matter

Features of superheated steam (SHS) system

Treatment can be done without igniting (safe and stable operation)

Due to the characteristics of superheated steam (SHS), the treatment atmosphere is extremely low oxygen, so stable heat treatment can be achieved without combustion inside the furnace.

Higher quality of processed products (improved added value)

By using a superheated steam atmosphere, which has the same effect as inert gas, we aim to improve the quality of the processed material by suppressing oxidation.
(Improved yield and safe melting of metals by suppressing oxidation and reducing the amount of residual C)

Heat recycling system (energy saving effect)

We make maximum use of the energy of the processed material and the waste heat generated, and perform heat recycling within the equipment system to reduce running costs (energy saving).
(Utilization as a heat source for increasing the temperature of equipment and energy for steam generation by a waste heat boiler)

system pattern

We propose the optimum pattern according to customer needs and processing conditions.

[SH-ELS model] Electric heater heating method External heat rotary kiln

1) System overview

Easy operation and precise temperature control are possible by adopting an electric heater, and a type that can process up to a high temperature range (up to 800°C).

2) Basic specifications

• Processing temperature: 300 to 800°C (atmospheric temperature) *Select according to desired temperature.
• Atmosphere: superheated steam
• Heat source: electricity

[SH-ELB model] Electric heater heating method External heat rotary kiln + waste heat boiler system

1) System overview

Easy operation and precise temperature control are possible by adopting an electric heater, and a type that can process up to a high temperature range (up to 800°C). In addition, by adopting a waste heat boiler, the energy used to generate steam can be saved.

2) Basic specifications

• Processing temperature: 300 to 800°C (atmospheric temperature) *Select according to desired temperature.
• Atmosphere: superheated steam
• Heat source: electricity
• Energy-saving equipment: waste heat boiler

[SH-HRS model] Exhaust heat utilization method External heat rotary kiln

1) System overview

An energy-saving type that thermally recycles the maximum amount of energy (calorie) in the processed material. By designing and utilizing exhaust heat, the optimum exhaust gas system that matches the calorific value of the processed material dramatically reduces the unit cost of processing.

2) Basic specifications

• Processing temperature: 300 to 500°C (atmospheric temperature) *Select according to desired temperature.
• Atmosphere: superheated steam
• Heat source: Exhaust heat (heat booster exhaust gas)

[SH-HRB model] Exhaust heat utilization method External heat rotary kiln + waste heat boiler system

1) System overview

An energy-saving type that thermally recycles the maximum amount of energy (calorie) in the processed material. By designing and utilizing exhaust heat, the optimum exhaust gas system that matches the calorific value of the processed material dramatically reduces the unit cost of processing. In addition, by adopting a waste heat boiler, the energy used to generate steam is saved.

2) Basic specifications

• Processing temperature: 300 to 500°C (atmospheric temperature) *Select according to desired temperature.
• Atmosphere: superheated steam
• Heat source: Exhaust heat (heat booster exhaust gas)
• Energy-saving equipment: waste heat boiler

Demonstration test (performance confirmation)

We can conduct verification tests for equipment introduction according to the customer's heat treatment needs for research and development purposes (variety improvement and next-generation powder development) or verification for rotary kiln.

Demonstration test flow

• meeting
  We will discuss the test purpose and desired conditions at the meeting.
• Test plan drafting
  Based on the results of the meeting, we will draft a test plan that the customer desires.
• Reflection in facility specifications
  We will conduct the test in the presence of the customer. Batch method is also available.
• test run
  Organize data such as temperature conditions and processing time, and evaluate what kind of results were against the plan.
• Summary of result evaluation data
  We reflect the test results in the equipment specifications and make proposals for the equipment specifications.

Verification test/test

Rotary kiln demonstration device (electric heater type: ELS type)

1) System overview

It is a continuous rotary kiln and adopts an external heating method using an electric heater as a heat source, so temperature can be easily controlled.

2) Specifications

• Effective dimension of retort: φ400×1300L
• Retort material: SUS310S
• Heat source: electric heater
• Atmosphere: superheated steam
• Control temperature: 300-700℃ (MAX)

Small batch type rotary kiln demonstration device (electric heater type: ELS type)

1) System overview

It is a small batch type rotary kiln, which enables easy temperature control with electric heaters and easy performance evaluation of small batch samples.

2) Specifications

• Effective dimension of retort: φ400×600L
• Retort material: SUS310S
• Heat source: electric heater
• Atmosphere: superheated steam, N2, Ar etc.
• Control temperature: 300-800℃ (MAX)

Mesh belt type oven demonstration device (hot air circulation type: HRS type)

1) System overview

Hot air circulation mesh belt type oven equipment. It is possible to test performance evaluation of deformed materials and parts materials that cannot be handled by rotary kilns.

2) Specifications

• Furnace effective dimensions: W500×H70×800L
• Mesh material: SUS304
• Heat source: Exhaust heat (hot air circulation)
• Atmosphere: superheated steam
• Control temperature: 300-550℃ (MAX)

batch box furnace

1) System overview

Box type device for simple test (batch type)

2) Specifications

• BOX input container dimensions: □140 x H100 x 2 can be loaded
• Heat source: electric heater
• Atmosphere: superheated steam, N2, Ar etc.
• Control temperature: 300-600℃ (MAX)

patented technology

Japanese Patent No. 4199758 "Mixed and mixed waste degreasing and recycling equipment"
Japanese Patent No. 4134150 "Magnesium alloy, degreasing treatment apparatus and degreasing treatment method for mixture containing magnesium alloy"