Air Products and Chemicals MAINTAINING FULL PRODUCTION IN FURNACES WITH FAILING REGENERATORS USING OXY-FUEL COMBUSTION

摘要

It is well known that the progressive failure of regenerator checker packs that frequently occurs in ageing glass furnaces causes a gradual restriction of combustion air and flue gas flow passages. This fouling process, if left unabated, can ultimately lead to a significant reduction in pull rate while also lowering energy efficiency during glass melting. Moreover, even when compartmentalized checkers are employed and hot repairs can be carried out, these are very time consuming and labour intensive processes that may require extended furnace downtime or, at best, extended periods of reduced pull, sometimes up to several weeks or more.