New Log Homogenizer
Kaiser Aluminum Newark Works has purchased a traveling log homogenizing furnace for their plant in Heath, Ohio.
The system will process 2x/6x/7x alloy aluminum logs of diameters typically ranging from 6 to 29 inches (152 to 727 mm). The furnace will be equipped with SECO/WARWICK's patented adjustable airflow baffling system to control airflow distribution throughout the load and improve temperature uniformity.
SECO/WARWICK will provide the patented movable baffle design or small load height system. This patented design will increase furnace performance, when less than the maximum size loads are processed. The baffle position will be adjustable according to the load height to effectively block any open space above the actual load being processed. The blocking action forces the recirculated air to pass through the openings between the layers of logs rather than taking the path of least resistance over the top layer of logs. The blocking results in a higher airstream velocity through the logs, which creates faster heat transfer and improved load temperature uniformity.
Traveling Furnace Advantages
Limited plant floor space - The utilization of Traveling furnace provides twice the loading area in half the floor space, since the furnace moves from one loading area laterally to the second loading area.
Loading and unloading consideration- The Traveling furnace load base is at floor level and the load base can be loaded or stacked with a fork truck. Fork trucks can be used because overhead cranes are not needed. The potential of a billet rolling off an above floor level load car is reduced. The loading and unloading of the billet bases is accomplished in less time. Placing thermocouples in the load is made easier since the load is at floor level.
Energy Savings - With the conventional car bottom type of furnaces, the load car is removed from the furnace, unloaded and then reloaded, and is then driven back into the furnace. During this time, the furnace interior can lose a significant amount of heat, so to bring the furnace back up to temperature will take additional time and heat input.
Cycle Time Reduction - When the new Traveling furnace has completed the cycle, the furnace doors open and the furnace travels from one loading base to the next. The first base can be cooled, and then re-loaded while the other load is under heat. The result is a faster load changeover with reduced heat loss from the furnace. Once the furnace has moved into position on the adjacent load base, the heating cycle begins. With the Traveling furnace design, a reduction in overall cycle time can be accomplished, compared with car furnace designs.
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Monday, Oct. 13th is the travel day, with an evening hospitality for registration. The meeting starts on Tuesday at 8:00 AM and concludes on Wednesday at 4:00 PM. 
Positioning the Load 
If the work is being loaded with forklift trucks, care must be taken not to move the car sideways off the rails when loading. This may cause wheel and bearing damage. If the load consists of round pieces such as coils or billets, the load must be properly blocked to prevent rolling and shifting when the car is moved. If the installation has a transfer car, the load must also be blocked sideways to prevent shifting due to movement of the transfer car. This is particularly important for high loads of billets. Each layer of billets must be blocked. Do not load or unload a furnace car while on the transfer car.