Use of Air Liquide O{sub}2-enhaneed combustion technology in several aluminum melt furnaces has demonstrated increased productivity, reduced melt energy cost and reduced emissions, while melt loss remained unchanged or was slightly lower. In fuel-fired aluminum melting furnaces, O{sub}2-enhanced combustion can provide increased productivity via increased melt rate, melt energy cost savings, reduced emissions and reduced melt loss (increased aluminum recovery). In most cases, an O{sub}2 combustion system is selected for retrofit to an existing melt furnace originally utilizing a 100% combustion air system to accomplish at least one of the above objectives. O{sub}2 combustion systems can be either 100% oxy/fuel (no combustion air) or a combination air/oxy/fuel. Factors that influence the optimum type of O{sub}2 combustion system for a particular furnace include type of furnace (well-charged reverb, direct-charged reverb, rotary), type of charge materials (clean vs. oily or coated, thick vs. thin-wall), number and location of burners, level of combustion air preheat (cold air, recuperator or regenerative burners) and relative cost of fuel and O{sub}2.
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