Ceramic fans in high temperature thermo processing plants

Metallic hot gas fans are used in thermo processing plants for the heat treatment of metal semi finished products like strips, strip coils, plates, ingots, etc.. Due to the creeping of the material of the fans at higher temperatures the rotational speed has to be reduced significantly. Thus, the application in the high temperature range is limited. Here, the use of ceramics can create a remedy. A ceramic squirrel cage impeller has been developed in a research project by a group consisting of the RWTH Aachen and several industrial partners. At present, the prototype for industrial use is manufactured by the German companies Schunk Ingenieur Keramik, Willich and WSP GmbH, Aachen. Further fans are projected.