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Title: High temperature range recuperator. Phase I: materials selection, design optimization, evaluation and thermal testing. Final report, April 1977-May 1978

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5602472· OSTI ID:5602472

Initial efforts to develop, test, and evaluate counterflow recuperator designs are reported for the High Temperature Range Recuperator project. Potential materials to withstand glass furnace exhaust environments at temperatures up to 2800/sup 0/F were evaluated on the bases of material properties, fabrication capability, and relative performance in the flue environment of a day tank glass furnace. Polycrystalline alumina (Vistal), reaction sintered silicon carbide (KT and NC 430), chemically vapor deposited silicon carbide (CVD) and sintered alpha silicon carbide proved most satisfactory in the material temperature range of 2300/sup 0/F to 2800/sup 0/F. Relatively pure alumina (AD 998 and AD 94), mullite and cordierite were most satisfactory in the material temperature range of 1700/sup 0/F to 2300/sup 0/F. Recuperator designs were evaluated on the bases of cold air flow tests on laboratory models, fabricability, and calculated thermomechanical stress under expected operating conditions. Material strengths are shown to be greater than expected stresses by factors ranging from 2.6 for KT silicon carbide to 16 for cordierite. Recuperator test sections were fabricated from KT silicon carbide and subjected to thermal stress conditions in excess of twice the expected operating conditions with no deterioration or failure evident. A test section was subjected to the thermal shock of instant transfer between room temperature and a 2000/sup 0/F furnace without damage. Economic analysis based on calculated heat transfer indicates a recuperator system of this design and using currently available materials would have a payback period of 2.3 years.

Research Organization:
Terra Tek, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
EY-77-C-07-1660
OSTI ID:
5602472
Report Number(s):
DOE/CS/40012-1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English