Reducing cost, increasing production, improving product quality, meeting environmental targets - these are often the conflicting goals of the furnace user and designer. Confronted with these targets, how do you choose between different investment opportunities?

Simple desktop computer models provide a route to evaluating the best options. They identify where heat is going, where energy savings can be made and identify whether production can be increased. They also help evaluate the return on investment in new technology (heat recovery, controls, furnace insulation, etc.)

This course will
- describe how a simple, easy-to-use, computer model can
provide the essential information to improve the operation and design of furnaces
- show how, with the aid of a desktop computer, non-specialist staff can use these models
- provide demonstrations of their use in a range of practical applications.

The course will cover:
-combustion and heat transfer in furnaces
-the mass balance
-the energy model
-conduction and convection
-types of mathematical models - the single well-stirred zone
- the long furnace model
- transient conduction model
(there will be demonstrations of the above models. Attendees can bring along their
own furnace data)
-use of mathematical models to predict NOx emissions

A brief introduction to more complex computer based and physical models will also be covered, although the course will focus on simple, easy-to-use tools for quick solutions.

Presenter: Dr Robert Tucker