Propane Powered 4x4x4 booth *HELP*

[averyindustries]

Ed- basically the heat exchanger is the Infrared red unit, thus there are no open flames present. This sounds more effiecent then using a standard convection heat exchanger. BTU for BTU there is less loss and more direct energy applying into the oven then the loss from asorbtion in a conventional metal---> Air heat exchanger. If im wrong let me know, seems like a lot of these huge commercial Pc booths i see are Propane infrared units.

[PhredAre]

Seems like it might be worth considering building a electric oven and use a portable generator when operating your oven in a remote location away from line power. The size of the oven is small enough that this option might be feasible, then again, with some of the ideas put forth in the forum you might have sucess. I would be skeptical of pusuing the Infared over the heat exchanger or direct heating method. Good luck, Fred

[holeshot87]

the torpedo heater works great. i have used the same heater for yrs without a problem.this set up has made me money and my customers like the look of the parts when done.

[averyindustries]

Holeshot-
I like the idea of the torpedo its simple and straight forward. please shed some light on your setup for me in reference to how you shove that much CFM into a sealed box, It must not be sealed? Thanks!
Jeremiah

[averyindustries]

"I would be skeptical of pusuing the Infared over the heat exchanger or direct heating method. Good luck, Fred "

What would make you skeptical? Im just trying to pick all your brains so i can come to a viable solution. So far you have all been tremendous help!

Check this company out, Infrared Ovens, Catalytic Infrared Ovens, catalytic industrial infrared ovens for powder and liquid coatings industry.

They specialize in infrared powdercoating ovens, basically my will be the same thing just a super small version.

[ed_denu]

Ed- basically the heat exchanger is the Infrared red unit, thus there are no open flames present. This sounds more effiecent then using a standard convection heat exchanger. BTU for BTU there is less loss and more direct energy applying into the oven then the loss from asorbtion in a conventional metal---> Air heat exchanger. If im wrong let me know, seems like a lot of these huge commercial Pc booths i see are Propane infrared units.

Again, I'm not an expert on anything gas driven, but my understanding is that the very large commercial ovens use a true heat exchanger to keep the direct flame away from the inside of the oven. I believe the infrared unit you are looking at is still open flame as I use a similar heater in my office area. It uses a pilot light to light the infrared elements that keeps burning as long as the unit is on. But, the dangers of powder explosion may or may not be overstated, depends on your perspective. Holeshot is using a torpedo heater without a heat exchanger(I guess). Maybe Len can state how his is set up. Either way, it's your decision.

I guess I will throw out another infrared question. Infrared's heat in different ways, one by producing convection heat and the other is by producing infrared radiant heat that will heat an object without heating the air in between. I guess I would be concerned that possibly the part facing the infrared heater would cure faster than say the other side of the part away from the heater.

Fred posted an interesting idea. If you're looking at 30000 btu then that's equivalent to 8792 watts or 36.6 amps, which isn't that big of an electrical load.

As for the ventilation issue, it's fresh air for the occupants of the room, not to cool the heater.

[holeshot87]

the flame from the torpedo heater is not inside the oven at all. also the oven is sealed.like i said before i have used the set up for yrs without a single problem.this set up was show to me by a person who powder coated for yrs with this set up. i like it and it works for me.

[averyindustries]

I'm not worried about powder explosion at all. I'm doing all my spraying in a separate room so there will not be any floating particles other then the ones that the circulation system MAY blow off the aluminum frames ill be powder coating. Some people spray in the same oven they bake it in without ventilation with a open flame, thus leading to some major possible issues. The electrical load isn't a big deal i agree but having to add in breakers and then plumb the wire in conduit across my large shop is not appealing to me and copper wire these days isn't cheap! With the money ill spend in wire/conduit as well as breakers id rather just invest in a all in one unit that runs off propane. I also don't want to powder coat in the shop, im going to roll it outside every time in case of a possible explosion and/or fire as well as the not so healthy gasses it releases.

I'm also calling on some stainless steel sheet 20-28 gauge and getting price quotes. I don't want this beast to rust at all!

Whats the best hightemp insulation to use? Should i use the firm board or the softer insulation? i saw many people use the board. Lowes as well as homedepot are just minutes away.

[averyindustries]

im looking into using stainless steel instead of normal steel. i can get it at a pretty good rate since i buy A LOT of aluminum from my distributor. That would solve the rusting problem and would last longer.

now i just need to track down the insulation any ideas?

[FigureLLC]

use mineral wool. you can get away with fiberglass or something from home depot, but it degrades over time and vents out of the seams and makes a mess.