An Innovative Experimental investigation on fuel and energy conservation of LDO fired rotary furnace for ferrous foundries

ABSTRACT The natural sources of energy coal, oil, gas etc. are depleting fast. Energy consumption is major problem being faced by the Indian ferrous foundries. “Bureau of Energy Efficiency, “The Energy Research Institute,” Govt. of India New Delhi & other International agencies has reported that energy consumption in Indian ferrous foundries is much more above the required limits and has to be drastically reduced. This paper deals with Experimental Investigations of oxygen enrichment of preheated air in LDO-fired rotary furnace, for optimal specific fuel and energy consumption. The author conducted experimental investigation on oxygen enrichment of preheated air in a self designed and developed 200 kg rotary furnace in an industry. The minimum specific fuel and energy consumption of furnace when operated under existing conditions, at 2 rpm was 0.415 liter/kg or 415 liters/tone and energy consumption is 4.110 kwh/kg or 4110 kwh/tone but when operated with 6.9%oxygen enrichment of 75.3-75.4% preheated air, the specific fuel and energy consumption reduced to 0.260 liter/kg or 260 liter/tone and energy consumption reduced to 2.575kwh/kg or 257.5kwh/tone. The percentage reductions are 15.5% and 15.35% respectively.