Furnace: Difference between revisions
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A furnace is a appliance that generates heat, usually from combustible material. | A furnace is a appliance that generates heat, usually from combustible material. | ||
The controlled | The controlled environment allows for greater efficiency and control over the reaction. | ||
== Uses == | == Uses == | ||
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The most common and important furnaces are used for food preparation and [[curing]]. | The most common and important furnaces are used for food preparation and [[curing]]. | ||
=== History === | |||
The history of furnaces can be dated back to ancient civilizations. The Romans used their own version of it, called the "[[wikipedia:Hypocaust|hypocausts]]". The Industrial Revolution sparked the development of many other variants of the furnace such as warm-air furnaces and the radiator. | |||
=== Food === | === Food === | ||
By [[cooking]] food, it can be more digestible for humans. | By [[cooking]] food, it can be more digestible for humans. | ||
The resulting smoke from the fire can be used to cure food more effectively for long term storage. | The resulting [[Smoking|smoke]] from the fire can be used to cure food more effectively for long term storage. | ||
Boiling can [[Sterilization|sterilize]] water. | Boiling can [[Sterilization|sterilize]] water. | ||
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Firing [[clay]] allows the vessel to become permanently set. | Firing [[clay]] allows the vessel to become permanently set. | ||
This process applies to roof shingles, bricks, and | This process applies to all [[pottery]], roof shingles, bricks, and earth ware. | ||
Most drying processes can be accelerated with heat as the water evaporates faster<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desorption</ref>. | Most drying processes can be accelerated with heat as the water evaporates faster<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desorption</ref>. | ||
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== Fuels == | == Fuels == | ||
=== Great | === Great availability === | ||
Any dry | Any dry plant matter will work to some degree. | ||
Easily | Easily accessible sources of high yield fuels are wood and [[charcoal]]. | ||
Both can be farmed on industrial scales or manufactured in small batches. | |||
=== Good | === Good availability === | ||
[[Alcohol]] is a good source of | [[Alcohol]] is a good source of liquid fuels that offer some advances over solid fuels but also carries additional risk. | ||
Reliable combustion can be achieved with 50% to 60% alcohol content. To achieve this concentration, the alcohol needs to be [[Distillation|distilled]]. | Reliable combustion can be achieved with 50% to 60% alcohol content. To achieve this concentration, the alcohol needs to be [[Distillation|distilled]]. | ||
=== | === Situational availability === | ||
[[Turf]] and dried | [[Turf]] and dried life stock dung can be burned. The smoke will be more irritating and harmful than other fuel sources. | ||
Nonetheless it serves as a | Nonetheless it serves as a valuable alternative. | ||
Natural Gas may be harvested in a [[bioreactor]] or sometimes found in nature. | Natural Gas may be harvested in a [[bioreactor]] or sometimes found in nature. | ||
=== Electricity === | === Electricity === | ||
Heating elements made from | Heating elements made from resistant materials can be used to convert [[electricity]] into heat on demand in finely controlled quantities. | ||
For [[steel]] production, plasma arcs are leveraged. Only the melting point of the electrodes limits the effective temperature of the furnace. | For [[steel]] production, plasma arcs are leveraged. Only the melting point of the electrodes limits the effective temperature of the furnace. | ||
Alternatively, inductive heating can be used to effectively heat electrically | Alternatively, inductive heating can be used to effectively heat electrically conductive materials. | ||
== Construction == | == Construction == | ||
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Heat rises out of the chimney, any vaguely tubular structure will do, and pulls in fresh air from the bottom inlet. | Heat rises out of the chimney, any vaguely tubular structure will do, and pulls in fresh air from the bottom inlet. | ||
The fresh, cold air provides more oxygen and stokes the fire. | The fresh, cold air provides more oxygen and stokes the fire. This effect can be enhanced with [[forced convection]] to reach the necessary temperatures for [[smelting]] and [[Forge|forging]] metal. | ||
By | By constricting the air inlet, the rate of combustion can be adjusted. | ||
<references /> | |||
[[Category:Technology]] | |||
Latest revision as of 14:40, 21 May 2025
A furnace is a appliance that generates heat, usually from combustible material.
The controlled environment allows for greater efficiency and control over the reaction.
Uses
Depending on the design, furnaces serve a multitude of functions and form the basis of a wide variety processes.
The most common and important furnaces are used for food preparation and curing.
History
The history of furnaces can be dated back to ancient civilizations. The Romans used their own version of it, called the "hypocausts". The Industrial Revolution sparked the development of many other variants of the furnace such as warm-air furnaces and the radiator.
Food
By cooking food, it can be more digestible for humans.
The resulting smoke from the fire can be used to cure food more effectively for long term storage.
Boiling can sterilize water.
Materials
Curing
Firing clay allows the vessel to become permanently set.
This process applies to all pottery, roof shingles, bricks, and earth ware.
Most drying processes can be accelerated with heat as the water evaporates faster[1].
Fuels
Great availability
Any dry plant matter will work to some degree.
Easily accessible sources of high yield fuels are wood and charcoal.
Both can be farmed on industrial scales or manufactured in small batches.
Good availability
Alcohol is a good source of liquid fuels that offer some advances over solid fuels but also carries additional risk.
Reliable combustion can be achieved with 50% to 60% alcohol content. To achieve this concentration, the alcohol needs to be distilled.
Situational availability
Turf and dried life stock dung can be burned. The smoke will be more irritating and harmful than other fuel sources.
Nonetheless it serves as a valuable alternative.
Natural Gas may be harvested in a bioreactor or sometimes found in nature.
Electricity
Heating elements made from resistant materials can be used to convert electricity into heat on demand in finely controlled quantities.
For steel production, plasma arcs are leveraged. Only the melting point of the electrodes limits the effective temperature of the furnace.
Alternatively, inductive heating can be used to effectively heat electrically conductive materials.
Construction
The basis of any common furnace type forms the chimney effect.
Heat rises out of the chimney, any vaguely tubular structure will do, and pulls in fresh air from the bottom inlet.
The fresh, cold air provides more oxygen and stokes the fire. This effect can be enhanced with forced convection to reach the necessary temperatures for smelting and forging metal.
By constricting the air inlet, the rate of combustion can be adjusted.