Used Calciners
Calciners are indirect-fired rotary thermal processors used to heat materials to high temperatures for calcination, thermal decomposition, reduction, or sintering. Unlike direct-fired kilns, calciners heat the material through a rotating tube within an externally heated furnace, preventing product contact with combustion gases.
Federal Equipment Company stocks used calciners and indirect kilns as part of our broader used dryers inventory. Our calciner inventory includes units from Bartlett-Snow, Heyl & Patterson, Harper, Coreco, and Applied Test Systems, with tube diameters ranging from 3" laboratory-scale units to 96" production systems.
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A calciner consists of a rotating tube (sometimes called the retort or shell) mounted inside an insulated furnace. The furnace heats the exterior of the tube using electric elements or gas burners, and heat transfers conductively through the tube wall into the material being processed. Internal lifters or flights within the tube help move material through the hot zone and improve heat transfer. Feed and discharge sections at each end of the tube are typically cooled or unheated, allowing material to enter and exit at lower temperatures.
Calciners are distinguished from direct-fired rotary kilns by their indirect heating method. This matters when the processed material cannot tolerate contact with combustion gases, when atmosphere control is required (inert gas blankets are common), or when off-gases need to be captured without dilution. Many calciners include bellows seals to maintain an inert atmosphere within the tube during operation.
Federal Equipment Company carries calciners from Bartlett-Snow (the most common manufacturer in our inventory), Heyl & Patterson, and Harper, along with units from Coreco, and Applied Test Systems. Tube materials include Inconel 600, Alloy 800, 310 stainless steel, 316L stainless steel, and specialty alloys such as Haynes HR-160, selected based on operating temperature and chemical compatibility. Equipment is available for inspection at our facilities, and we provide rigging, logistics, and installation support.
Applications & Industries
- Calcination of minerals, pigments, and calcium-based compounds
- Thermal decomposition and reduction of chemical intermediates and catalysts
- High-temperature treatment of battery materials and advanced ceramics
- Sintering and heat treatment of specialty metals and powders
- Thermal processing of carbon materials and petroleum coke
- Activation and regeneration of adsorbents and molecular sieves
- Roasting and thermal conversion in specialty chemical manufacturing
- Laboratory and pilot-scale thermal process development
Specifications & Configurations
- Tube diameters: 3" (laboratory-scale) through 96" (full production); most common range is 6" to 42"
- Overall lengths: 7’ to over 83’, with hot zones ranging from 24" to over 53’
- Operating temperatures: Up to 2,000°F (1,100°C), with some units rated to 1,000°C continuous operation
- Tube materials: Inconel 600, Inconel 800, Alloy 800, 310 stainless steel, 316L stainless steel, Haynes HR-160, brick-lined carbon steel
- Heating methods: Electrically heated (single or multi-zone) and natural gas-fired
- Atmosphere control: Inert gas bellows seals available for processing under nitrogen or other controlled atmospheres
- Drive systems: Variable-speed tube rotation drives; feeder drives for controlled material throughput
- Configurations: Horizontal rotary tube with external furnace; single and multi-zone heating; water-cooled discharge sections
Why Buy Used Calciners?
Calciners are specialty equipment with long new-build lead times, often exceeding six months for custom-engineered units. Used calciners typically cost 40–70% less than new equipment of comparable size and specification. For pilot-scale work or capacity additions, used units can be operational months sooner than a new order.
Federal Equipment Company inspects all calciners before sale and can coordinate refurbishment services, including tube replacement, drive overhaul, refractory repair, and control system upgrades to meet your process requirements.
