MELT HEATING METHOD; USE OF BURNER IN WHICH FUEL IS BURNED WITH AN OXIDANT BY PROJECTING AT LEAST ONE PAIR OF FUEL AND OXIDANT JETS OVER THE MELT, THE OXIDANT JET BEING BETWEEN THE FUEL JET AND THE MELT

摘要

A method of heating a melt (10) containing an oxidisable substance uses at least one pair of fuel and oxidant jets, the oxidant jet at least partially between the fuel jet and the melt. The oxidant jet forms an oxide layer (14) on the top surface of the melt (12) and the momentum of the oxidant jet is adjusted below a threshold level to avoid disturbing this layer and exposing more metal to oxidation. The fuel momentum is greater than the oxidant momentum and the fuel and oxidant mix to form a combustible mixture. Also claimed is a method as above where the total specific momentum, which is the sum of the oxidant and fuel jet momentum divided by power output from burning the fuel, is no greater than 60 NMW-1.