Switching from air-gas to oxy-gas combustion in glass furnaces offers the advantages of reduced energy costs, lower NOx & particulate emissions, & decreased capital & maintenance costs. Oxy gas flames burn at higher temperatures, providing energy savings through more efficient radiant heat transfer & higher energy availability. Low NOx levels result from the reduced amount of nitrogen in the flame. IGT & Combustion Tec Inc have completed laboratory testing of 0.5 MMBtu/h versions of a high-luminosity, low-NOx oxy-gas burner & are preparing a 3MMBtu/h version for testing. This IGT-patented burner produces a highly luminous flame by forming & then burning soot in the flame. Tests show an increase in heat transfer to the load of over 12%, a decrease in NOx, a flame shape with larger coverage of the load & a reduction in exhaust gas temperatures.
