By AZoM Editors
Table of Contents
IntroductionThe
ProblemThe SolutionThe
BenefitsANH Refractories
Introduction
EMISSHIELD is a NASA licensed high emissivity ceramic material refined and
patented by Emisshield, Inc in collaboration with Virginia Tech. It has been
designed to save fuel costs and increase productivity in heating-based
industrial applications. Use of EMISSHIELD saves operators up to 15% of the
energy costs by utilizing re-radiated heat. It also extends the service life of
equipment and improves their performance.
The Problem
A gas-fired tunnel kiln had been in continuous use for over fifty years.
Super duty fireclay brick lined the kiln’s preheat zone while high duty silica
brick lined the burning zone. Refractory products such as high purity high
alumina brick and phosphate bonded bauxite brick were fired in the tunnel kiln.
Firing temperatures in the kiln ranged from 2500°F to 2770°F. Often, the brick
at the middle of the hacks on kiln cars were under-burned.
The Solution
Emisshield ST-2 was applied to the tunnel kiln refractory using a HVLP
sprayer. Prior to the application, the refractory brick was vacuumed to remove
any loose materials that adhered to the brick. A good substrate was ensured by
removing bricks of broken refractory. The coating was applied only in preheat
and burning zones of the tunnel kiln.
The Benefits
After the kiln was put into service after EMISSHIELD application, it was
immediately observed that the firing temperatures were 30°F to 60°F higher, if
earlier burner settings were maintained. The burners were therefore turned down
to bring the firing temperature to a value appropriate to the ware fired. As a
result, the average gas usage decreased from 476 MCF to 371 MCF per day during
the first month of service after coating. This translated to about 22.1% savings
in gas usage. In subsequent months, slower push rates were used and the fuel
savings were not as high as for higher push rates.
In the first year of operation of the kiln, the average fuel saving was 16%
while monthly fuel savings ranged from nearly 8% to 26%. After EMISSHIELD was
applied, under-burning of ware was practically eliminated and the kiln atmosphere
was cleaner. Moreover, the EMISSHIELD high emissivity coating ensured even radiative
heating, resulting in more complete combustion of fuel.
ANH Refractories
ANH
Refractories Europe is a member of the ANH Refractories family of companies
headquartered in Pittsburgh, USA.
ANH
Refractories Europe is the primary contact for the European and Middle
Eastern markets and is able to supply a comprehensive range of refractories for
variety of applications.
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Primary information source, ANH Refractories Europe
For more information on this source please visit ANH Refractories
Europe.