Forced air convection drying oven

Types of Forced Air Convection Drying Ovens

A forced air convection drying oven is an industrial oven that utilizes a fan and heater to spread air with a high temperature throughout its interior. The forced air drying ovens can be grouped into two major categories based on their build and functionality.

• By Build and Design

Forced air drying ovens are available in different configurations for a variety of applications. One of the most widespread types of forced air drying ovens is the box drying oven. The box drying oven has a rectangular or square shape, and it functions by moving heated air around the whole box. Another popular build of a forced air drying oven is the horizontal airflow drying oven. Like the box drying oven, a fan resituates air with a high temperature within the oven. The fan's position in the horizontal forced drying oven allows it to push air in a perpendicular direction to the vertical drying ovens that take up a more limited horizontal space.

By Functionality

Forced air drying ovens can also be differentiated by their functions. One prevalent type of a forced air drying oven is a laboratory forced air drying oven. The laboratory drying oven is used outside the industrial setting. Instead of aiming for mass production, the lab forced drying oven seeks to provide accurate results and reproducibility for every experiment. The lab drying oven has shelves that can hold samples. These shelves make it easy for multiple samples to be placed inside the drying oven. Another prevalent type of forced air drying oven oven is the standard drying oven. The standard drying oven is set at approximately 105°C (221°F) for about 2 hours. During the standard drying process, no sample weighing is taken, and the drying can be repeated for up to 3 times until constant weight is achieved.

illustration of the two common ways to group a forced air convection drying oven.

Specifications and Maintenance

Forced convection ovens come with different specifications. The table below summarizes the key specifications for business buyers to note.

• Temperature Range: The temperature range for drying ovens with forced air convection varies from one model to another. The lower limit of the temperature range for most drying ovens is about 10 to 15 degrees Celsius above room temperature. The upper limit can go as high as 220 to 250 degrees Celsius.
• Interior Volume: The interior volume or chamber size of a convection drying oven is usually measured in liters or cubic feet. The volume denotes the space available for storage racking or heating shelves.
• Power Consumption: A power-hungry oven can increase the operational cost of a business. Forced air ovens have models with power ratings that range from small units of 1 to 2 kilowatts to larger industrial units with power ratings of 10 kilowatts and above.
• Heating Method: As noted in the previous section, the forced airflow drying oven employs different heating methods. An oven can use electricity, natural gas, propane, or infrared to heat up and dry materials.
• Airflow Velocity: The speed of air movement in the oven can impact the drying time of materials. Different oven manufacturers produce models with different velocities. Some models have a 1 to 2 m/s airflow velocity, while others have 2 to 4 m/s or more.

Proper maintenance helps businesses keep the performance of the forced air drying oven at optimal levels. It also enables them to extend the lifespan of the equipment. For effective maintenance, users should refer to the manufacturer's manual and adhere to the recommended maintenance schedule. Below are some general maintenance tips for a forced drying oven.

• Regular Cleaning: Make a habit of cleaning the oven at least once a month. Remove debris and spills to prevent the buildup of contaminants.
• Routine Calibration: Check temperature readings of the drying oven from time to time. If there are any deviations, calibrate the temperature control to bring it back to the ideal settings. Routine calibration enables the oven to maintain consistency and accuracy in drying.
• Periodic Inspection: Regularly inspect the drying oven for any signs of damages or wear of components like heating elements, fans, and doors. Conduct repairs as quickly as possible to maintain the efficiency and functionality of the oven.
• Follow Cleaning Procedures: When it comes to cleaning the forced airflow drying oven, it recommended users follow the manufacturer's procedures strictly. Using the recommended cleaning solutions and methods will prevent damage to the oven.
• Maintain Proper Ventilation: The ventilation system of the drying oven should always be open as recommended by the manufacturer. Proper ventilation prevents overheating and avoids moisture accumulation in the oven.

Uses of Forced Air Convection Drying Ovens

The industry uses for convection drying ovens are wide. The following are some uses in various industries.

• Food Processing

  A convection oven is a key tool for food processing companies. It helps to dry a wide range of foods like fruits, meats, vegetables, and herbs. The dried food has a longer shelf life, is lighter, and tastes good. The forced-air feature makes sure that the food is dried evenly. It's also a great oven for making smoked meats and other food products.

• Chemical Industry

  Chemical companies use the convection drying oven for drying chemicals and products like powders, granules, and chemicals with high moisture content. A major benefit is that the quality of the chemical is kept intact. There's no negative change in the chemical's makeup even while it's being dried.

• Pharmaceuticals

  In the pharmaceutical field, a forced air drying oven comes in handy for the sterilization, drying, and dehydation of medical equipment like surgical tools, glassware, and lab supplies. The precise temperature control feature makes it safe and reliable for the delicate materials used in medicine.

• Textile and Leather

  Textile and leather firms use the drying oven to dry materials like fabrics, leather, and textiles. After the drying process, these materials end up being stronger and more durable. Plus, the convection oven removes excess dye from the textile materials.

• Woodworking

  Woodworking companies use the forced air drying oven to take out excess moisture from wood. It also prevents warping and cracking. Once the wood's moisture is removed, it's ready to be used for making furniture and crafts. The air circulation feature of the oven also brings uniform drying throughout the wood piece.

• Construction

  In the construction space, the drying oven works great to dry building materials like plaster, brick, cement, and tiles. Once excess moisture is removed, the materials are tough and long-lasting. The materials are also ready for use in construction projects.

How to Choose Forced Air Convection Drying Ovens

When it comes to shopping for a drying oven, buyers should make a checklist of the things or features they need to look for in their forced air drying oven models. They should start by identifying the type of industry they want to use the oven for and the materials or products they will be drying. Once they have identified those two key things, they should start researching the types of models available on the market that would do well for the specific use case they have in mind.

It won't hurt to assemble a list of brands that offer great, high-performing units and have a good reputation in the business. Buyers should also compare the prices of different models and understand the technology behind how they work. Some manufacturers will offer specialized filtration systems and humidity control features, which are normally more on the expensive side, so buyers should be aware of what they're paying for and what benefits those features offer.

Finally, buyers should inspect the oven's overall build, materials, door sealing, tray capacity, and heating element before purchasing, as these all influence the machine's performance and lifespan.

Q&A

Q: Are there any safety issues with using a forced air oven for drying?

A: Generally, no safety issues are associated with using a forced drying oven when users follow proper guidelines. They should not load the oven beyond the prescribed limit. Also, all flammable materials should be kept away from the oven. More importantly, users should air-out substances whose gas might react with the air inside the oven).

Q: Can a forced air oven fail to produce the expected result?

A: Yes, there are several ways a forced air oven can fail to achieve the desired drying effect. Overloading the oven is one. Other issues include not maintaining the proper temperature, using the wrong tray material, and drying the wrong type of substance.

Q: What are the maintenance tips for a forced air drying oven?

A: To keep the oven working well and extend its life, clean it regularly. Find and fix any leaks. Use good-quality trays that don't corrode. Check the heating elements and fan from time to time. Make sure the thermostat is accurate and check the oven's doors to see if they close tightly. Always refer to the manufacturer's guide and follow their maintenance tips.

Q: Which industries use a forced air drying oven?

A: Many industries use the forced air drying oven, including food processing, chemical, pharmaceutical, textile, wood, pottery, and construction. The drying oven is used to dry solid materials in these industries, such as wood, as well as to stabilize and dehydrate various kinds of products.

Q: Can anyone build a homemade forced air drying oven?

A: Yes, some people build a homemade forced air drying oven. But before they do, they should know that commercial drying ovens are built with specialized equipment and materials. Also, the designers will have tested the oven to see if it works. So, a homemade drying oven may not work as well as a commercial one.