DRATEC Triethylamine (TEA) Gas Generator

DRATEC ENGINEERING CO., LTD

Triethylamine (TEA)
Gas Generator

A product & process briefing for cold box core making — what it is, how it works, and what to evaluate

What We'll Cover

  • What Is a TEA Gas Generator?

    Its role alongside the cold core box injection machine

  • How the Curing Cycle Works

    Vaporization, mixing and delivery, step by step

  • Why It Matters for Casting Quality

    Under-cured vs. evenly cured cores

  • Key Features & Safety

    What separates a well-engineered unit from a basic one

  • What to Look For When Buying

    A short checklist for evaluation

What Is a TEA
Gas Generator?

Core auxiliary equipment that works alongside your cold core box core injection machine.

In one sentence

It converts liquid triethylamine into a gaseous catalyst that cures resin-coated sand cores rapidly and uniformly.

Heats & vaporizes

Liquid TEA is heated into a high-concentration gas

Meters precisely

The gas is metered out in a controlled quantity

Atomizes & mixes

Atomized gas is mixed with compressed air

Delivers to cavity

Delivered directly into the sand cavity for fast, uniform curing

Why This Step Matters for Casting Quality

Core curing isn't a step to leave to chance.

Under-Cured Cores

Weak, prone to breaking or deforming during handling and pouring.

Unevenly Cured Cores

Inconsistent density — shows up later as dimensional defects or surface flaws in the finished casting.

A well-designed TEA generator controls three variables precisely:

Vaporization Temperature
Gas Flow Rate
Delivery Timing

Locked in and repeatable — so every core in the batch cures the same way.

Key Features of a Modern TEA Generator

Based on current cold box equipment design.

Intelligent Electronic Control

PLC-based control with touchscreen — set, monitor and store parameters in real time. Built-in self-diagnostics trigger automatic alarms before problems become scrap.

High-Efficiency Gasification

Dedicated heater + eddy current processing achieves a 98% atomization and gasification rate, with outlet gas temperature held constant and controllable.

Dual-Temperature Control Protection

Heaters, sensors and a thermal energy storage tank keep vaporization stable through ambient swings — cutting energy use by 40%+ vs. conventional systems.

Split-Type Safety Structure

Electrical control box, TEA tank, and vaporization chamber are physically separated, with dual isolation between chamber and control box — a core safety requirement given TEA's flammability.

Multi-Unit Compatibility

One generator can supply multiple cold core box machines simultaneously or alternately, each with independently configured parameters.

Precision Quantitative Delivery

A dedicated dosing device and proportional valve give exact control over delivery rate, vaporization time and curing time — keeping curing degree uniform batch after batch.

How the Curing Cycle Works

A typical automatic-mode cycle.

1 1 2 3

Mold Closing & Signal

Core machine completes mold closing, sends vaporization signal.

2

Heater Activation

Heater turns on; liquid TEA moves to vaporization chamber.

3

Vaporization & Mixing

Chamber heats to set temp (~80°C, adjustable); mixes with compressed air.

4

Catalyst Delivery

Mixed gas travels through conveying pipe into the sand chamber, reaching all areas evenly.

5

Curing Complete

Preset time reached — vaporization/transport stop; heater switches to insulation mode.

6

Core Ejection & Cycle

Mold opens, core ejects, and the cycle repeats.

Beyond Automatic: Other Operating Modes

Automatic Mode

Full production cycle — mold closing through core ejection, running continuously.

Manual Mode

For debugging and troubleshooting. No interlock protection — used for controlled testing only.

Click Mode

For flow calibration and air path testing — a single trigger produces a single action.

Safety Considerations Foundries Should Know

  • Leak-proof, sealed TEA storage tank with a liquid level monitoring port
  • Proportional valve prevents over-delivery of catalyst
  • System triggers automatic alarms on any anomaly
  • Planned downtime: finish final vaporization transfer, close main gas valve, safely stop heater, power down, clean the unit
  • Extended shutdowns: drain remaining TEA, seal tank opening, apply rust-proof / leak-proof measures

What to Look For When Evaluating a Generator

A small piece of equipment with an outsized impact on core quality, cycle time and safety.

PLC-based intelligent control

High gasification efficiency (95%+)

Dual-temperature protection

Split-type safety construction

Precision dosing

Those five factors separate a generator that quietly does its job for years from one that becomes a recurring maintenance headache.

Questions on Matching a Generator to Your Core Injection Line?

Reach out for guidance or to see us for full spec sheet.

Contact us