Horizontal furnace gets vertical results

Advancing boiler technology, not only for economic reasons, but also to reduce their manufacturing cost and material usage, has resulted in an innovative horizontal furnace. Based on studies conducted with computational fluid dynamics, the horizontal furnace offers some considerable advantages that make it a competitive entry into the energy production industry.

Energy

Reducing associated costs with boiler/furnace construction is the first step required in presenting more competitive technology for producing energy. Modifications however have to be made according to principles that do not adversely affect furnace or boiler efficiency. Accordingly, a recently conducted study with computational fluid dynamics and a new thermo-hydraulic concept successfully allowed an innovative horizontal furnace to be designed. The initial benefits of the horizontal furnace reduce boiler height by almost half. The design specs for the horizontal furnace bring boiler and turbine closer together, hence reducing the amount of piping and structural materials required. Additionally, since both turbine and boiler are installed at the same time installation cost and times are minimised. Computational fluid dynamic studies on this patented design have been conducted in order to optimise burning performance and to establish heat-flux data as a basis for thermo-hydraulic calculations. The developers are looking for license and development support from either power plant or boiler plant utilities.