Best practice for gas-hardened processes

Cold-box Amine vapours need to be captured at the core-making machine. Any excess amine is captured through the core-box. Additionally, it may also be necessary to ventilate the core storage area. When possible, hoods are placed over the moulding or coring machines as well as over the temporary core storage area. 

Amine consumption can be minimised to the extent that its consumption matches the production needs of the sand cores, since the cost of the raw material and its treatment is high. Minimisation of amine consumption is helped by optimising the amine distribution process within the core, typically through a simulation and optimisation of the gas flow [202, TWG, 2002]. 

The sand temperature has to be maintained as constant as possible, between 20 and 25 C, otherwise a too low temperature will involve a longer gassing time, thus resulting in a larger amine consumption. A too high temperature drastically reduces the lifetime of the prepared sand. 

Water is detrimental to this process. The moisture of the sand has to be maintained below 0.1 %, and the gassing and purging air must be dried. 

Note Amines are flammable and explosive in some proportions with air. Considerable care is required in their storage and handling, and the supplier s instructions need to be observed at all times. 

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