I am a PhD student in a physical chemistry department. Our research group would like to build our own high termperature ovens for preparing samples. Nothing fancy, just a controled rise in temperature to a given setpoint, hold it there for a designated amount of time and the cool down. The controllers that will do this are inexpensive and also the relays and thermocouples…that is not a problem. The question is about heat transfer and power.

We will be using Kantahl resistance heating wire. It is serviceable to 1350°C and we have a 230V, 16 Amp service to the normal labortory outlet. The question is how much power input to heating chamber should we design to reach temperature "X" in a heating chamber of volume "Y". The volume we have in mind is about 2700 Cubic Centimeters (15cm X 15cm X 12cm). This can all be calculated through the heat transfer equaitons and knowing the R factor of the insulation, surface area…etc.
Does anyone know of some softwear that can simplify this process?

Thank You,
MS1