How to operate a muffle furnace. || NaberTherm muffle furnace operation.

Summary

In this video, the speaker demonstrates how to use a muffle furnace to prepare a biochar sample. The process involves compacting the sample to avoid excessive combustion and ash formation. The furnace is programmed to gradually raise the temperature from 30°C to 600°C over 1 hour and 54 minutes, with a 5°C per minute ramping rate. Once the target temperature is reached, the sample remains at 600°C for an additional 2 hours. The speaker walks through each step of the furnace setup, program entry, and execution, ensuring the proper treatment of the biochar sample without creating unwanted ash.

Takeaways

• 😀 The muffle furnace is used to heat materials at controlled temperatures, with a chamber where samples are placed.
• 😀 The speaker is preparing a biochar sample for heating, ensuring it is compact to avoid complete combustion and minimize ash formation.
• 😀 Compaction of the sample is crucial to prevent it from burning and turning into ashes. The aim is to retain carbon compounds.
• 😀 The biochar sample is placed in a crucible, and the lid is securely placed on the crucible before being put into the furnace chamber.
• 😀 The furnace interface is accessed to start a new program by first deleting any pre-existing programs.
• 😀 The program is named 'Sam,' and settings are adjusted for the desired temperature ramp and heating time.
• 😀 The furnace temperature is set to increase gradually from 30°C to 600°C at a rate of 5°C per minute, taking approximately 1 hour and 54 minutes.
• 😀 Once 600°C is reached, the furnace will maintain that temperature for an additional 2 hours to allow for the desired heating process.
• 😀 The speaker calculates the time required for the temperature to rise by dividing the temperature difference (570°C) by the ramping rate of 5°C per minute.
• 😀 The program is saved and started immediately without delay. The furnace's current temperature is displayed, showing 46°C after the program begins.
• 😀 The muffle furnace will continue to increase in temperature and hold at 600°C for 2 hours before the program ends.

Q & A

Why is it important to compact the biochar sample before placing it in the furnace?

Compacting the biochar sample is crucial to prevent it from undergoing complete combustion, which would turn it into ashes. The goal is to preserve carbon compounds, not ashes.

What is the purpose of using a muffle furnace in this procedure?

The muffle furnace is used to control the temperature in a precise manner to heat the biochar sample without allowing complete combustion, ensuring the preservation of carbon compounds.

What happens if the sample is not compacted properly?

If the sample is not compacted, it may burn completely, leading to full combustion that results in the formation of ashes instead of the desired carbon compounds.

How does the ramping function work in the furnace program?

The ramping function allows the furnace to increase its temperature gradually. In this case, the temperature rises 5°C per minute, ensuring a controlled and steady increase until it reaches the target temperature of 600°C.

What is the significance of setting the furnace to maintain 600°C for 2 hours?

Maintaining the furnace at 600°C for 2 hours ensures that the biochar sample is heated at a constant temperature, which is necessary for achieving the desired chemical reactions and properties in the final sample.

How is the total time for heating the sample calculated?

The total time for heating is calculated by subtracting the initial temperature (30°C) from the final target temperature (600°C), giving a temperature difference of 570°C. At a ramping rate of 5°C per minute, it will take 114 minutes (1 hour and 54 minutes) to reach 600°C.

Why is it necessary to delete an existing program before entering a new one?

Deleting an existing program ensures that no conflicting settings are left in the furnace, allowing the user to set up a fresh, customized program for the new procedure.

How do you start the program once it has been set up in the furnace?

To start the program, you select 'Program start,' confirm that you don't want to delay the start, and then press the start button to begin the heating process.

What is the role of the 'middle button' in the furnace interface?

The middle button is used to navigate through the furnace’s menu options, confirm selections, and make adjustments to settings such as temperature, time, and program names.

What is the initial temperature when starting the program, and how does it change during the process?

The initial temperature when starting the program is 30°C. The furnace gradually increases the temperature by 5°C per minute until it reaches the target of 600°C. The furnace temperature at the start of the program is already 46°C due to automatic adjustments.