Improvement of energy efficiency in glass-melting furnaces, cement kilns and baking ovens

This paper Is aimed at presenting the utilisation of dedicated modelling tools for the optimisation of a variety of thermal equipment for high-, medium-and low temperature heat transfer processes. A combination of modelling with advanced extensive on-line measurements is proposed as an approach for the development of optimisation procedures able to be used in equipment design and operation. The industrially oriented utilisation of modelling is discussed considering the state-of-the-art and the application of existing codes capable of computing the three-dimensional characteristics of the aerodynamics, mixing, combustion (single-or multi-phase), pollutants formation and heat transfer of industrial combustion equipment. The present paper describes modelling tools for the optimisation of a glass-melting furnace, a ceramic tunnel kiln, a cement kiln and a baking oven. Significant reduction of energy consumption and low-cost abatement were achieved for these four industrial situations. (C) European Communities 1997. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.