Reheat furnace upgrade results in production increase

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1997 · Iron and Steel Engineer

OSTI ID:452266

Burns, A H ^[1]; Fuhrman, F L ^[2]

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1. Thermix Combustion Systems, Brantford, Ontario (Canada)
2. Hauck Manufacturing Co., Lebanon, PA (United States)

This project is a unique example of the technique of high-intensity convective heating for generating significant material preheating that can be used to increase furnace production rate. The mathematical model predicted a production increase of 17%. The furnace has demonstrated a 22% higher sustained production rate. Oxidation rates have been gradually reduced and will be improved further by the installation of level 2 controls. The burner systems have proved to be reliable in a harsh operating environment. There has been a small improvement in the specific fuel consumption. In the case of a top-fired reheat furnace, convective pre-heating installed at the charge end of the furnace will result in a significant increase in production rate. The static thermal model developed for this project is a reliable tool for the prediction of performance of the modified furnace. The use of the high-velocity burners in the mixing zone was an effective substitute for the customary baffle wall. The installation had the benefit of preventing over-pressurization of the furnace discharge doors and enabled the operator to achieve a considerable improvement in pressure control. In addition, the removal of the baffle wall eliminated the shadowing effect where the incoming load is shaded from radiation from the heating zone. Additional turbulence in the mixing zone also had a significant impact by increasing the amount of heat removed from flue gas before it is vented from the furnace.

• OSTI ID: 452266
• Journal Information: Iron and Steel Engineer, Journal Name: Iron and Steel Engineer Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 74; ISSN 0021-1559; ISSN IRSEA5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
BURNERS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
FURNACES
INSTALLATION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
METAL INDUSTRY
MODIFICATIONS
PRODUCTIVITY