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Retrofitting a box forge furnace with ceramic recuperators considerably reduces fuel use

Journal Article · · Ind. Heat. (Pittsburgh); (United States)
OSTI ID:6339869

The furnace retrofitted was one of four identical box type forge billet heating furnaces. It is used for heating various size billets to 2250 to 2450/degree/F and consists of a refractory lined enclosure surrounded by a steel frame and a front door which is raised to permit loading and unloading of billets. The ceramic recuperator consists of a ceramic module which is inserted into a 3000/degree/F castable lined housing which is ready for insertion into the exhaust and air piping. The recuperator is composed of many sets of exhaust passages separated by a ceramic wall from many sets of air passages. The ceramic removes the heat energy from the hot dirty exhaust and transfers this energy to heat the cold incoming combustion air. This room temperature combustion air is then heated to 1100-1300/degree/ F and is transmitted to special refractory lined hot air/gas burners. At a daily average production level of 15,000 lb the recuperated furnace experienced a 58% fuel saving when compared to its operation before recuperation.

Research Organization:
GTE Sylvania, Towanda, PA, USA
OSTI ID:
6339869
Journal Information:
Ind. Heat. (Pittsburgh); (United States), Journal Name: Ind. Heat. (Pittsburgh); (United States) Vol. 49:4; ISSN INHTA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English