20kg Indium Metal Vacuum Distillation and Purification Furnace

Product Overview

The 20kg vacuum distillation furnace is a specialized thermal processing system engineered for the high-purity refining of rare and precious metals. By leveraging the principles of volatilization and fractional condensation under deep vacuum or controlled inert atmosphere, this horizontally split-chamber furnace separates impurities from valuable metal feedstocks such as indium, tin, gallium, and zinc. The result is a purified output that can reach 6N to 8N (99.9999%–99.999999%) purity levels, making it an indispensable tool for advanced materials research and industrial production.

This system is purpose-built for laboratories, universities, and small-scale production facilities that require batch purification of critical metals for semiconductor, optoelectronic, and specialty alloy applications. Typical use cases include refining indium for ITO sputtering targets, recovering gallium from manufacturing scrap, and producing electronic-grade tin for lead-free solders. The 20 kg crucible capacity strikes an optimal balance between productivity and precision, allowing R&D teams to scale processes without compromising purity or control.

Constructed for continuous operation in demanding environments, the furnace integrates an IGBT medium-frequency induction heating system, a high-vacuum pumping package, and a motorized condensation collection mechanism. The intuitive PLC touchscreen interface with multi-level access control ensures repeatable processing cycles while safeguarding critical parameters. Every component is selected for long-term reliability, from the heavy-gauge chamber to the industrial-grade sealing surfaces, giving operators confidence in consistent, high-integrity results run after run.

Key Features

• Precision Temperature Control: The furnace utilizes IGBT medium-frequency induction heating with a multi-zone PID algorithm to maintain temperature uniformity across the crucible. A working range of 700–1250°C can be extended up to 1350°C when using a graphite crucible, enabling precise distillation of materials with narrow boiling-point windows.
• High Ultimate Vacuum: A dual-stage vacuum system achieves an ultimate pressure of ≤6.7×10⁻³ Pa (measured cold, clean, and without insulation). This deep vacuum environment suppresses unwanted oxidation and outgassing, critical for reaching 6N+ purity in indium and similar metals.
• Inert Gas Compatibility: Built-in gas delivery ports allow purging with nitrogen or argon up to 0.03 MPa. Protective atmosphere operation prevents oxidation of reactive metals during heating and cooling, preserving material integrity.
• Motorized Condensation Tower: The integrated condensation collector is mounted on an electric lift, enabling fine adjustment of the gap between the melt surface and the condensation zone. This tunable geometry optimizes mass transfer and improves separation efficiency for different metal systems.
• Large-Volume Crucible: A robust graphite crucible accommodates up to 20 kg of material (based on a density of 7.8 g/cm³). The high-purity graphite minimizes contamination and withstands repeated thermal cycles, making it suitable for both R&D trials and pilot-scale production.
• Touchscreen Automation: A 14-inch industrial touchscreen runs a PLC-based control system with recipe management, real-time data trending, and alarm logging. User authority levels protect critical settings while allowing operators to follow standardized protocols.
• Rugged Split-Housing Construction: The clamshell opening provides full access to the internal chamber for loading, cleaning, and maintenance. Stainless steel construction with precision-machined flanges ensures long-term thermal stability and vacuum integrity.
• Integrated Collection System: A dedicated distillation material collection tray simplifies recovery of condensed high-purity metal, reducing handling and cross-contamination risks between batches.

Applications

Technical Specifications

Why Choose This Product

• Robust Split-Chamber Engineering: The horizontal opening design simplifies maintenance and material handling, minimizing downtime and ensuring long-term mechanical robustness in high-duty-cycle production environments.
• Consistent 6N–8N Purity Output: Precision IGBT heating, deep vacuum, and automated process control combine to deliver exceptional separation efficiency, reliably meeting the strictest purity requirements of semiconductor and electronics manufacturers.
• Advanced Automation & Safety: The PLC touchscreen with tiered user access locks in validated recipes, reduces operator error, and provides full batch traceability—a critical advantage for regulated industries and quality systems.
• Customizable for Specialized Processes: From graphite crucible upgrades to custom atmosphere programming, this furnace can be tailored to unique purification needs, including multi-metal distillation sequences and integration with glovebox lines.
• Global Engineering Support: Installed in leading research institutions and industrial facilities worldwide, this solution is backed by responsive technical teams offering installation, training, and process optimization services.

Contact our team today to discuss your high-purity metal refining requirements or to request a customized quotation.