HVOF Spraying, Ethanol
Ethanol HVOF is an ethanol-fueled HVOF configuration for applications where this fuel is preferred over kerosene or gaseous fuels. It is a dedicated variant within the HVOF spraying family, while the general high velocity oxygen fuel process is covered on the main HVOF technology page.
Compared with gas fuel HVOF and conventional liquid fuel HVOF based on kerosene, ethanol changes the fuel supply, combustion behavior and practical requirements around storage and handling. Selection therefore depends on the application as well as the customer’s available site infrastructure and regional fuel supply.
Ethanol as fuel
As a liquid fuel, ethanol requires controlled metering and delivery to the combustion section. Its combustion characteristics create a different operating window from kerosene and gaseous fuels, so process settings are developed specifically for the selected spray gun, powder and coating task.
Fuel availability can be an important engineering factor. Storage, transfer and handling arrangements should be designed for the customer’s location, production environment and applicable safety requirements rather than copied directly from a kerosene or gas fuel installation.
Where ethanol HVOF makes sense
Ethanol HVOF can make sense where ethanol is readily available, where existing plant logistics favor this fuel, or where the required coating program benefits from the operating window of an ethanol-fueled system. The decision should be based on validated process trials and production requirements.
GST can configure ethanol HVOF spray systems for fixed or mobile production layouts, including the MP3000-E robotic ethanol-fueled HVOF