HEAT RECOVERY FROM AN INDUSTRIAL FURNACE

Heat recovery from an industrial furnace involves recovering and reusing energy generated during metal heat treatment. The use of this type of technology is intended to increase the energy efficiency of the entire production process within a manufacturing facility or commercial heat treating plant.

The most common use of recovered heat is heating buildings (halls, facilities) and heating domestic hot water. Waste heat that is recovered in the heat treatment process can also be used for other production processes carried out in the plant, e.g. washing equipment. Another interesting option is to convert heat into cold for cooling rooms.

Recovering heat generated during metal heat treatment processes helps reduce the overall energy costs in the plant by reusing it in other production processes. It also allows users to become independent from gas supplies for heating buildings and heating domestic hot water. It brings benefits to the environment by reducing CO₂ emissions and to avoid the severe penalties associated with it. In addition to clear economic benefits, it undoubtedly influences the image of a company caring for the environment and reducing its carbon footprint.

Energy recovery from heat treatment processes is possible for most furnaces. Considering the SECO/WARWICK’s activity profile, we are currently focusing on medium and small furnaces, and in particular, vacuum furnaces. Until recently, offers for these types of furnaces did not include an energy recovery option. Current trends in energy saving have forced us to find appropriate ecological solutions for these units as well.

Yes, it is possible to perform an installation on furnaces other than SECO/WARWICK’s brand. We can also design and implement an appropriate installation for units from other manufacturers of industrial furnaces.

The ability to implement this type of solution is decided individually for each  project.

The process of implementing a heat recovery installation is similar to other technical tasks of this type. The implementation time depends on the designed installation’s size and the system complexity.

1. the current condition’s detailed technical assessment together with collecting the necessary data,
2. development of a technical solution concept together with potential benefits and an implementation cost estimate,
3. the decision on implementation – ordering,
4. completing the installation’s necessary elements, establishing a work schedule,
5. installation at the plant, start-up, tests.

The furnace downtime depends on the project’s  complexity and the selection of a specific heat recovery solution. Most of the work can be performed without interfering with the furnace’s daily operation. The furnace shutdown will be related to the need to connect a ready-made heat recovery system to the existing equipment, including the start-up and acceptance test phase. The necessary downtimes are planned so as to disrupt the furnace’s normal operation schedule as little as possible.

The proposed installations are completely safe both in terms of health & safety, and the furnaces themselves. The project assumption is not to change the furnace operation system, but to expand its external components with the capacity for heat recovery, e.g. from the cooling system. The furnace control system will continuously monitor the furnace’s correct operation, and in emergency situations requiring, e.g. additional cooling, it will switch from one system to another in order to ensure the furnace’s safe operation.

For SECO/WARWICK furnaces, the warranty will be maintained. In the case of furnaces from other manufacturers, it will require the manufacturer’s consent or the installation after the warranty period has expired.

The next step is to contact our company to arrange a technical meeting at the customer’s facility.

At your disposal is:
Sebastian Ostasz – Key Account Manager Central European Countries.
E-mail:
Mob: +48 517 808 494