Radiative heat transfer. Final report (Jan 1987-March 1990)

One and two-dimensional mathematical models have been developed to predict the steady state thermal performance and combustion characteristics of a natural gas-fired straight-through radiant tube. The effects of burner geometry, equivalence ratio, and preheat temperature and fuel firing rate on fuel burn-up have been investigated. The one-dimensional models for straight-through and single-ended recuperative radiant tubes have been validated using available experimental data. Thermal system models have been developed for the continuous and batch indirectly fired (radiant tube) furnaces to identify opportunities for fuel savings and enhanced productivity. Extensive parametric investigations were performed to examine the effects of load and refractory emissivities, load throughput rate and thickness on the thermal performance of the furnaces. Batch and continuous direct-fired furnace thermal system models were developed to analyze the effect of various design and operation parameters on the furnace thermal performance. An attempt was made to validate the batch furnace model by using experimental data from a small experimental furnace. Due to the size of the furnace, the two-dimensional heat conduction effects near the corners and edges of the furnace walls were significant. Since these effects were neglected in the system model, which is intended to simulate a large industrial furnace, the validation was unsuccessful. The parametric study consisted of examining the effect of the load and refractory emissivities and other operating and load parameters on the thermal performance of the batch and continuous furnaces.