|
|
 |
 |
Radiation Recuperators
|
Radiation recuperators are high temperature heat exchangers that utilize radiation heat transfer to preheat combustion
air or gas for the purpose of saving fuel. By recovering heat from the hot waste gas exiting a furnace and transferring
it to the combustion air feeding the burners, fuel usage can be reduced by an average of thirty-five percent (35%),
and in many cases, greater savings are realized. Waste gas temperatures entering radiation recuperators are usually
in the 2000°F to 2500°F range, and combustion air preheat temperatures are usually in the 800°F to
1400°F range. |
|
 |
For very high temperature industrial furnaces, such as glass melting furnaces, recuperators are valuable tools for increasing
furnace efficiency. Up to seventy-five percent (75%) of the available energy in the fuel may be carried out of the furnace in
the waste gas, therefore, heat recovery is essential for fuel conservation and economical operation. With fuel costs rising,
recuperation is certain to play a vital role in the future.
 |
|
Thermal Transfer Corporation manufactures two (2) types of radiation recuperators - the TURA (TUbular RAdiation) type and the
stack or double shell type. The TURA recuperator is most widely used on larger direct fired glass melters with firing rates
typically between 15 MM.BTU/Hr. and 60 MM.BTU/Hr. The TURA design incorporates a cylindrical alloy steel tube bundle suspended
within a refractory-lined outer shell, operating with waste gas temperatures up to 2600°F and generating air preheat
temperatures as high as 1500°F. TURA recuperators have proven reliable under the adverse corrosion and fouling conditions
often present in these larger melting furnaces. |
|
The stack type recuperator is commonly used on smaller direct fired glass melters, with firing rates typically between 0.5
MM.BTU/Hr. and 20 MM.BTU/Hr. This design is comprised of concentric, cylindrical metallic inner and outer shells traditionally
operating with waste gas temperatures up to 2300°F and combustion air temperatures up to 1000°F. However, recent advances in
design and materials technology now permit higher temperature operation with the stack recuperator design. For the most
demanding applications, both TURA and stack recuperators are used in combination to achieve very high combustion air preheat
temperatures. |
|
|
Applications for radiation recuperators include the following:
- Glass melting furnaces
- Fiberglass furnaces
- Glass day tanks
- Glass continuous tanks
- Glass pot furnaces
- Glass refiners
- Glass forehearths
- Ceramic and refractory kilns
- Steel forge furnaces
- Steel heat treat furnaces
- Aluminum die cast furnaces
- Calciners
|
 |
|
|
|
