Hydrogen is a highly soluble gas in molten aluminum and the affinity for aluminum to absorb hydrogen increases with time and temperature.  Hydrogen gas is formed when aluminum comes in contact with water vapor, a natural by-product of combustion with gas and fuel fired furnaces as well as naturally occurring in the atmosphere, especially on humid days.  As aluminum solidifies the escaping hydrogen gas forms cavities or gas pockets causing hydrogen porosity, a major problem in all types of manufacturing facilities producing cast aluminum products.  Thermtronix® offers two cost effective solutions for removing hydrogen gas from molten aluminum alloys.

The Autoclean™ II utilizes a foundry proven method of spin degassing in which either a dry nitrogen or argon gas is passed through a heavy wall machined graphite shaft, factory protected with a non-wetting fiber cover to maximize the useful life.  A unique edge-cut rotor shears the gas and evenly disperses it in the bottom of the molten aluminum bath. These miniature gas bubbles present an increased surface area through which dissolved hydrogen in the molten aluminum is absorbed as they slowly rise to the surface.  Typical degassing times will run from 7 to 15 minutes in a 1000 lb. (450 kg) batch of molten aluminum depending on alloy and the inert gas selected.
 
The complete    Autoclean™ II unit with graphite shaft and rotor attached weighs less than 75 lbs. (34 kg) for truly portable operation.  It was designed by Thermtronix®, a leading manufacturer of quality aluminum melting furnaces, specifically as a portable, lightweight, low cost cleaning system for degassing aluminum alloys in crucible type furnaces with precise, repeatable quality results.  Autoclean™ II is designed for use with nitrogen or argon to assure environmentally safe working conditions while providing consistently high quality aluminum.  It is ideally suited for degassing batch sizes from 300 lbs. through 3,000 lbs.
 
The Autoclean™ Electric Shuttle is a completely self-contained mobile rotary degassing system that utilizes a single plug-in 120 volt electrical source for all operations. It uses no auxiliary controls or electrical lines. There are no batteries to charge and no compressed air requirements. Onboard gas cylinder containment eliminates the need of cumbersome interconnecting gas lines. Both electrical and inert gas lines are protected in a single factory installed retractable cable way for enhanced safety.  Large diameter steel wheels assure ease of movement even on rough floors while a single operator friendly control display allows for one person operation. 
 
The Autoclean™ Electric Shuttle includes an integral Reduced Atmosphere Testing System (RATS™).  This provides cost effective shop floor degassing and sample testing in a single unit.  As with earlier units, the Autoclean™ Electric Shuttle is ideal for degassing batch sizes from 300 lbs. through 3,000 lbs. of aluminum alloy.
 
 
To visit the Thermtronix® Web Site for additional information on this product or to download a PDF Product Bulletin please “click here”.