An open-source linear actuated-quartz tube furnace with programmable ceramic heater movement for laboratory-scale studies of combustion and emission

The Linear Actuated Quartz Tube Furnace (LA-QTF) is an instrument engineered to heat and combust materials under controlled conditions, capable of achieving flaming and smoldering states. A ceramic ring furnace is linearly actuated parallel to the length of a quartz tube. The mode of combustion depends on temperature, fuel composition, and oxygen availability; the LA-QTF regulates combustion by controlling the temperature and position of the ring furnace, and airflow within the tube. The LA-QTF can maintain temperatures between 23°C-530°C for extended time periods, with stable temperatures over long-duration (~120 min) experiments. Flow rate is dependent on the chosen pump; we designed for an upper limit of 3.5 LPM, though the tube furnace can accommodate lower or higher flows. To quantify CO2 emissions from combustion processes, the design incorporates lower-cost CO2 sensors at the inlet and outlet of the quartz tube. Real time furnace temperature and CO2 data are printed to the Arduino serial monitor, providing users with live feedback and data logging capabilities. We aim to enable users to safely and consistently heat and combust different materials under smoldering and flaming conditions. All design and software files are open source, facilitating replication and customization to suit user’s specific needs.