Oxy-Fuel Firing Glass Furnace-Energy Efficient, High Temperature, Glass Production

REFTECH oxyfuel furnaces are specially designed for the particular characteristics of firing a furnace with fuel and oxygen. Especially the reduced flue gas volume requires a modification of the superstructure design. If flat flame burners are used, the arch has to be kept relatively low, otherwise it will become too cold and this will lead to rat holes.

For longer life, the exhaust can be placed rather in direction of the middle of the furnace or even near the throat thus ensuring an adequate heating in batch charging area due to burners in this area and reducing carry-over (dust). Too high flue gas velocities in exhaust and subsequent piping can lead to difficulties in furnace pressure control and can even lead to high furnace pressure due to insufficient flue gas flow rate.

Cold spots would lead to damages due to the infiltration of alkalis which cause burnouts in the arch, thus leading to reduced furnace life. To avoid such problems the REFTECH® oxyfuel furnaces are therefore adequately insulated and sealed. In general oxyfuel furnaces are used for a melting output of 50 – 400 t/d, in some special cases as small as 2 t/d specialty glass. The maximum furnace size is approximately the same as for regenerative cross-fired furnaces, i.e. 750 t/d.

1. Low investment costs for flue gas

2. equipment due to low flue gas volume

3. Low energy consumption

4. Higher melting surface load

5. Reduced NOx emission

6. High glass quality

7. Low investment costs for refractories

8. Easily adjustable temperature profile due to lateral arrangement of burners

9. Shorter time from glass to glass