Mechanical Engineering Department, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria
Ighodalo, O.A., Mechanical Engineering Department, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria
Recuperative heating is employed in Furnaces as a means of conserving energy and improving efficiency. A metallic, shell and tube, counter-flow type recuperator was fitted to a non-ferrous melting Furnace and the Furnace performance with recuperation compared without recuperation. Experimental measurements obtained for the two test operations were fed as inputs to a heat balance program. From the outputs of the program, a comparison was made of the temperature conditions and thermal indicators. The results show that in-furnace temperature for Furnace operation with recuperation was higher by 10.5 %, a 6.3% savings in fuel consumption per kilogram of metal melted, a 22.7% savings in energy consumption per kilogram of metal melted, a 3.6% reduction in waste heat and a 9.8% reduction in heating time were also achieved with the Furnace operation with recuperation. There is an enhanced capacity in metal melting by 35.9%, a 27.7% increase in useful heat utilization and a 5.4% increase in total heat utilization. The Furnace operation has been enhanced with recuperation. © 2010 EuroJournals Publishing, Inc.