Gas-Fired Car Bottom Project Strengthens Heat Treatment Capabilities in the US Midwest
Project
Gas-Fired Car Bottom Project Strengthens Heat Treatment Capabilities in the US Midwest
August 12, 2025
4 minutes
Location: USA
NUTEC Bickley has delivered a high-performance car bottom furnace for steel and aluminum, featuring proprietary IMPS® technology and multi-zone control for outstanding temperature uniformity and efficiency. Custom-built to handle loads up to 150,000lb, it meets AMS 2750 standards and ensures reliable, energy-efficient heat treatment.
Gas-Fired Car Bottom Project Strengthens Heat Treatment Capabilities in the US Midwest
In a move that builds further on an encouraging first half of 2025, NUTEC Bickley recently gained the order for a gas-fired car bottom furnace for one of the most well-established heat treat operations in the US Midwest.
NUTEC Bickley Delivers High-Performance Car Bottom Furnace for Industrial Heat Treatment of Steel and Aluminum
This furnace will be capable of handling both steel and aluminum ingots and has been designed to operate across a wide temperature range. The high levels of temperature uniformity to be delivered by the combustion system mean that this furnace will be qualified to undertake AMS 2750 compliant surveys.
The working dimensions of the furnace are 12ft (3.66m) wide by 35ft (10.67m) long by 14ft 6in (4.42m) high and it is able to accommodate substantial loads – up to 150,000lb (68,000kg) per cycle. Normal operational temperatures range between 300°F (150°C) and 1650°F (900°C), with a maximum of 2000°F (1095°C). With burners firing above and below the load, there are 11 automatic control zones (five top, six bottom).
Advanced Combustion Technology and Customized Features
To effectively heat treat these complex, heavy loads, the optimum approach is pulse firing with variable excess air; with the option of fuel-only pulse for low temperature heat treatment. NUTEC Bickley achieves all this by employing its proprietary IMPS® combustion concept (Integrated Multizone Pulsing System).
In this case, the furnace uses top brand high-velocity nozzle-mix burners, each individually controlled with its own automatic ignition and safety systems. The burners are positioned in staggered configuration to fire above and below the load, maximizing heat transfer and providing optimum temperature uniformity. The IMPS system generates a predetermined pulse sequence to fire individual burners, or groups of burners, depending on the heat requirement of each of the 11 control zones.
One of the most beneficial IMPS modes is Excess Air Firing. Among other things, it is possible to control very low temperature while high turbulence is maintained to achieve a great temperature distribution.
Alongside this are the advantages to be gained from the Ratio Firing mode. Here, the air and gas valves pulse in a synchronized pattern, from low to high fire in stoichiometric ratio, to ensure optimal fuel efficiency. This is made possible by using the kinetic energy generated by the flame speed and the rapid transition from low to high fire which increases entrainment and turbulence, thus promoting a better temperature distribution without the need for a high level of excess air.
Chamber Pressure Control for Process Stability
Overall process stability is ensured through the innovative elements of NUTEC Bickley’s chamber pressure control system. A digital transmitter senses the pressure inside the furnace and provides feedback to the control system, which in turn modulates the linear flow-controlled exhaust damper to provide precise control of the exhaust gases and chamber pressure. The exhaust control damper comprises a multi-louver blade manufactured from cordierite with an internal shaft manufactured from reaction-bonded silicon carbide (SiSiC).
This system offers a number of important advantages, including:
• Greatly improved linear response to pressure changes
• Low torque, high efficiency
• Substantially reduced maintenance requirements
• Smaller exhaust stack diameter
Partner With NUTEC Bickley for Your Heat Treatment Needs
We are industrial furnace manufacturers in USA, our industrial heat treatment furnaces can be provided for a wide range of temperature ranges and a wide variety of applications.
If your company is looking to enhance heat treatment capacity, improve energy efficiency, or achieve AMS 2750 compliance, our team is ready to support you with tailored industrial furnace solutions that deliver high-efficient performance and long-term value.
Contact us today to explore your next project.
Arturo Arechavaleta – VP Metal Furnaces, NUTEC Bickley
Providing Thermal Equipment Solutions that go beyond expectations
We serve multiple industries through the design, building and installation of combustion systems, thermal insulation and highly specialized industrial furnaces, kilns and ovens. We are focused on understanding our customers’ needs and supplying the best equipment at the most competitive price.
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