Solution: Replace an existing furnace with an H-22

At their factory, they operate two perlite expansion lines. One used Incon's model H-22 furnace and had much lower costs than the other using a VS-225-P furnace.

A year earlier, Norcal Perlite was the location for the first installation of Incon's new H-22 furnace. At the time, Norcal operated two VS-225-P furnaces and needed more production capacity. This need was met through the installation of the new high capacity H-22. The installation was accomplished by replacing one of the two furnace units, with little change to the collection system

The conversion was carried out smoothly and operation of the new furnace a success giving Norcal not only a much needed increase in production capacity but also significant saving in operating costs.

Now, a little more than a year later, with significant proven cost savings of the H-22, faced with the need for maintenance of the remaining 13 year-old VS-225-P, and with many spares for that furnace still in inventory, Norcal decided to completely renew the VS-225-P. Because the renewal would make use of many existing spares it would not be costly and we would also learn if the operating savings were more than simply the result of a new furnace operating beside and old one.

On completion of the rebuild, Norcal had in-essence, a brand new VS-225-P operating beside an H-22 which was more than one year old. Both furnaces using the same raw material, to produce the same end products, using the same fuel, at the same elevation and atmospheric conditions. An ideal test of the new furnace.