Vulcan Catalytic Systems manufactures Industrial Infrared
Catalytic Heaters and Industrial Infrared Catalytic Ovens

The Process

The Vulcan catalytic heater is a diffusion type heater, that operates on a chemical oxidation reduction process that reduces the methane or propane gas in the presence of platinum and oxygen, into moisture, carbon dioxide, and produces Infra red energy from this reaction. There is no forced air or oxygen supplied for the chemical reaction. Air that is required for the reaction is diffused through the heater surface and into the reaction sites at the platinum/gas interface. The catalytic reaction requires that the catalyst be at a temperature of 300 degrees F. This is achieved from an electrical preheat element that is activated for 15 minutes.

After that time either a heat sensitive thermoswitch is closed indicating that the heater is ready to receive the gas or the Manual Start process is initiated and the catalytic process is begun. The gas enters the heater panel and is evenly dispersed through a plenum chamber within the heater. The gas is then distributed into the hot catalyst where it reacts with the platinum in the presence of air. The position of the reaction within the depth of catalyst is dependent upon the volume of gas entering the catalyst. The high-end flow of 6,000 BTU/H per square foot of heater sends the reaction close to the heater surface, at the low-end flow the reaction site is towards the bottom of the catalyst below the heater surface. The surface temperatures will be at high of 950 degrees+ F for high fire, down to 400 degrees F at low fire.

There is no flame with the reaction of gas. As such these heaters are approvable for heating hazardous areas. When products such as Acetone, MEK, Toluene, Octane, and Naphtha are sprayed onto the heater surface there is no combustion of the solvents.

Our Physical Address

Vulcan Catalytic Systems

P.O. Box 855, 300 Highpoint Avenue,

Portsmouth, RI 02871
401-683-2070 Fax: 401-683-6450

Our Email Addresses