Core Leaching Autoclave
Chemical core removal, engineered for repeatable cycles.
Energypack's core leaching autoclave removes ceramic cores from investment casting shells and blades by chemical etching under controlled heat and pressure, for foundries running high-value aerospace and structural castings.
Overview
EBPL-CL-900 & EBPL-CL-600
Castings are loaded into stainless steel baskets and the vessel is sealed, filled with a caustic solution, and heated to a preset temperature. Pressurising the vessel raises the boiling point of the caustic; a controlled vent cycle then causes vigorous boiling that etches ceramic core material out of internal cavities. The heat-pressurise-vent sequence repeats automatically for a set duration before the vessel drains and the casting is rinsed.
Salient Features
Built around safe handling of hot caustic.
316L Wetted Construction
Vessel, baskets, valves, pipework and flanges in contact with caustic are 316L stainless steel throughout.
Interlocked Door
Electrically driven lock/unlock and open/close, with position sensors. The door cannot unlock while the vessel is pressurised or hot.
PLC & Touchscreen Control
Automatic or manual operation, with pressurisation, boiling and de-pressurisation durations independently adjustable per cycle.
Automatic Caustic Replenishment
Liquid level is monitored continuously and topped up between vent phases, so long cycles never expose the load.
Caustic Recovery
Storage and collection tanks with overflow recycling reduce fresh caustic consumption and keep the surrounding floor clean.
Multi-Zone Heating
Electric heating elements arranged in independently monitored zones, with automatic cut-off if shell temperature exceeds a safe limit.
Full Alarm Suite
Over-temperature and over-pressure monitoring trigger an emergency stop circuit that closes valves, disables heaters and stops pumps.
Data Logging
Pressure and temperature are recorded against time and can be exported for process review and audit.
Working Platform Included
An integrated platform with stairs and railings houses the vessel and control panel for safe, convenient operation.
Specifications
EBPL-CL-900 & EBPL-CL-600
| Specification | EBPL-CL-900 | EBPL-CL-600 |
|---|---|---|
| Inner Diameter | 900 mm | 600 mm |
| Inner Depth | 1200 mm | 800 mm |
| Vessel & Basket Material | 316L Stainless Steel | 316L Stainless Steel |
| Leaching Medium | KOH or NaOH, 35-45% concentration | KOH or NaOH, 35-45% concentration |
| Pressurising Medium | Compressed air | Compressed air |
| Working Pressure | 10 to 12 Bar | 10 to 12 Bar |
| Design Pressure | 14 Bar | 14 Bar |
| Working Temperature | 130-160°C | 130-160°C |
| Temperature Control Accuracy | ±5°C | ±5°C |
| Boiling / Vent Cycle | 2-60 min, adjustable per stage | 2-60 min, adjustable per stage |
| Heating Element | 36 kW | 24 kW |
| Control | PLC + touchscreen HMI, auto/manual | PLC + touchscreen HMI, auto/manual |
| Power Supply | 220V/440V, 50Hz | 220V/440V, 50Hz |
Vessel sizing and basket configuration can be adapted to your casting geometry. Contact our engineering team to discuss requirements.
Removing cores from high-value castings?
Tell us your casting geometry and cycle volume, and our engineering team will help you spec a core leaching autoclave.