Pillar Induction delivers heating system for austenitizing pipe

Pillar Induction, Brookfield, Wis., has commissioned a new 11.8-MW induction heating installation at a pipe producer in the southwestern U.S. The installation comprises 18 induction heating coils providing progressive heating of 2.375- to 7- in.-OD pipe with production up to 35 metric tons/hr.

The pipe is moved through the coils, powered by a single pinch wheel drive and independent water-cooled rollers between each coil. The coils are mounted on three independent coil stands, which can provide motorized, programmable height adjustment as required for the different pipe sizes. An infrared pyrometer is mounted at the exit of each set of coils, providing feedback on the in-process pipe temperature.

Each set of six coils is powered by an MK17 SCR power supply with capacitor auto-switching to maintain high input power factor.