What are the functions of a high-pressure horizontal tube furnace in 650 °C CO2 oxidation experiments?

A high-pressure horizontal tube furnace generates the necessary thermal environment, while nickel-base alloy tubes serve as the robust pressure vessel. Together, they enable the simulation of supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle conditions by maintaining a steady 650 °C temperature under 3.5 MPa of pressure. This combination allows for continuous, long-term oxidation experiments without mechanical failure or chemical contamination.

Successful oxidation experiments rely on decoupling heat generation from pressure containment; the furnace provides the heat, while the alloy tubes provide the structural integrity required to hold high-pressure CO2 for extended durations.

The Role of the Horizontal Tube Furnace

Establishing the Core Thermal Field

The primary function of the high-pressure horizontal tube furnace is to provide a stable, controlled core thermal field.

It is designed to reach and maintain the target temperature of 650 °C with high precision.

Enabling Static Isothermal Conditions

For accurate scientific data, the environment must remain consistent over long periods.

The furnace ensures static isothermal conditions, meaning the temperature remains constant across the experiment's duration without fluctuations that could skew oxidation rates.

The Critical Function of Nickel-Base Alloy Tubes

Acting as Pressure-Bearing Components

Standard furnace tubes cannot withstand the internal stress of pressurized experiments.

The nickel-base alloy tubes are specifically employed as high-strength, pressure-bearing components. They are capable of safely containing 3.5 MPa of pure CO2 at high temperatures.

Ensuring Structural and Chemical Stability

Beyond mere strength, the tube material must not degrade or react with the test environment.

These alloy tubes maintain structural stability to prevent deformation and chemical stability to ensure the tube itself does not corrode or contaminate the experiment during the 1000-hour continuous run.

Understanding the Experimental Context

Simulating Brayton Cycle Environments

The ultimate goal of this equipment pairing is to replicate a specific real-world scenario.

This setup is engineered to simulate supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle environments, which are characterized by high heat and high pressure.

Long-Duration Reliability

Reliability is the limiting factor in oxidation studies.

The integration of the furnace and the alloy tubes ensures the experiment can run for 1000 hours continuously, providing data on long-term material performance under stress.

Ensuring Experimental Integrity

To ensure valid results in your oxidation experiments, consider the following:

• If your primary focus is simulating Brayton Cycles: Ensure your setup can simultaneously maintain 650 °C and 3.5 MPa to accurately replicate the operational environment.
• If your primary focus is material data accuracy: Verify that the furnace tube alloy is chemically inert regarding pure CO2 to prevent cross-contamination during the 1000-hour cycle.

Selecting the right thermal and pressure containment systems is the difference between a failed test and actionable data.

Summary Table:

Component	Primary Function	Key Specifications
Horizontal Tube Furnace	Provides stable core thermal field & isothermal conditions	Target: 650 °C
Nickel-Base Alloy Tube	High-strength pressure containment & chemical stability	Capacity: 3.5 MPa
Experimental Medium	Simulates supercritical Brayton cycle environments	Pure Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Test Duration	Ensures long-term material performance data	1000 Hours (Continuous)

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References

1. Minrui Ran, Rui Tang. Synergistic Roles of Nb and Mo in the Formation of Oxides on Fe-20Cr-25Ni-Nb Stainless Steels in High-Temperature CO2. DOI: 10.3390/met13040665

This article is also based on technical information from Kintek Solution Knowledge Base .