Heat transfer analysis of pusher type reheat furnace

This paper presents a computational model for heat transfer in direct fired pusher type reheat furnaces for heating steel billets prior to plastic working. Radiation, which is the dominant mode of heat transfer in the furnace chamber, is modelled in a detailed manner. The model incorporates several features of radiation heat transfer that are typical of reheat furnaces, such as non-grey participating gas in the chamber and specular/diffuse reflection off the furnace surfaces. Radiation heat transfer in the furnace chamber and conduction within the billets are modelled using the finite volume method (FVM). Convection heat flux on the billets is calculated using correlations from the literature, Overall, the model is capable of predicting the radiative heat flux distribution within the furnace, as well as the resulting temperature distribution within the billets as they pass through various zones in the furnace. Several key process parameters have been identified, and their effects on the heating process of the billets are studied.