Desenvolvimento de forno solar a partir de resíduos cerâmicos para secagem de eletrodos revestidos

Abstract

Welding is a process widely used in the metallurgical, naval and aeronautical industries, one of the important steps in this process is the drying of the coated electrodes used to perform the welding by the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), using electric ovens in this step. Currently, thinking more about clean energy, the development of solar ovens has emerged, being its main application in cooking food, however, there is already evidence of its use for other purposes, such as sterilization of hospital medical instruments and drying of fruit to produce flour. However, there is already evidence of its use for other purposes, such as sterilization of hospital medical instruments and drying of fruit to produce flours. However, in all applications of these ovens it is essential provide their thermal insulation, since they store thermal energy. Thus, this work aims to manufacture, assemble and operate a solar oven, produced in ceramic composite material from the processing of residues from potiguares ceramic industries, for the drying of coated electrodes used in SMWA. For this purpose, the characterization of the Red Ceramic Waste (RCW) was initially carried out with analyzes of chemical, mineralogical and specific mass composition, also analyzing the cement, sand and lime, used to obtain the ceramic composite - mortar with trace 1: 1: 6. The thermal conductivity and mechanical resistance of compression as well as the flexural tension were determined in the experimental tests of the mortars, afterwards, the manufactured of the solar oven and the tests in it will be carried out in order to evaluate the dryness of the coated electrodes. Finally, the mortar reached adequate consistency in all RCW contents, but the best thermal insulation was with a 30% RCW content, capable of being used in the manufacture of the solar oven, as a parameter to guide the levels of internal temperatures suitable for the removal of moisture from coated electrodes. Thus, the manufactured solar oven worked efficiently for drying the coated electrodes. In addition, inspection of the weld beads by visual test and by Penetrant Liquid did not detect any discontinuity, making this sustainable instrument a possible source of replacement for the electric ovens used for drying these types of electrodes.