ENERGY ASSESSEMENT OF A GLASS FURNACE WITH BETA GLASS PLC-DELTA PLANT AS CASE STUDY

Abstract

This paper describes the use of the first law of thermodynamics method of analysis (material and energy balance) in analyzing the performance of the Beta glass furnace. Another performance parameter used in analyzing the furnace was the specific energy consumption. After the initial tour of the furnace facilities, relevant data were collected for the period of June 2005 to May 2006. In addition to this and with the assistance of the personnel in the furnace department, detailed performance data were collected for the furnace on July 25th 2006. Using the data, the performance parameters of the furnace were calculated and the Sankey diagram drawn. The work showed that the specific energy consumption of the furnace was 5.78 GJ per ton of glass. This compares favourably with what is obtained in some present day furnaces with values of specific energy consumption ranging from 3.69 GJ-6.28 GJ per ton of glass. However, there is still vast potential for improvement. The heat balance result highlights clearly the various heat losses in the furnace and the furnace efficiency. The efficiency of the furnace was calculated as 58.08%. A major source of heat loss was identified as that from the furnace stack. The sensible heat in the furnace stack could be recovered by using it to generate steam in a waste heat boiler to drive a turbine. It could also be recovered by using it to preheat one or a combination of the following: Charge (batch), combustion air and primary air for spraying in burners.