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Show Introduction u.s. industry burns eighteen percent of all fuels combusted in the U.S. for all purposes. Consequently, even a small improvement in efficiency can, on a nationwide basis, result in significant energy savings which translate into significant cost savings. Thus, it is not surprising that the U.S. Department of Energy has had in effect a program for developing energy efficient combustion equipment since 1977. The DOE Industrial Combustion Equipment Program advances technology to the point of commercialization. Activities focus on the development of energy efficient combustion equipment for use in one or more high energy consuming manufacturing industries; these include metals, petroleum, glass and chemicals among others. Ideally, technologies developed will have applicability to more than one industry. This Program involves research, development and demonstration projects contracted with industry and academia that are designed to result in industrial energy conservation and enhanced competitiveness by improving the efficiency and productivity of U.S. industry. Economic and technical feasibility is established, advanced systems engineering is conducted, process development units are built and tested, and performance predictions are validated in suitably sized facilities. The development process culminates in a technology demonstration on production equipment at an operating host site. The demonstration is designed to provide industry with credible data to accelerate the adoption of new combustion equipment technology. The on-going implementation of clean air regulations is making environmental considerations a major factor in the adoption of the equipment developed by this DOE Program. Indeed, low emissions are expected to be the major incentive for adoption of these energy saving technologies by industry. Current projects being conducted by the Industrial Combustion Equipment Program include oxygen enriched (oxy-fuel) combustion, a ferrous scrap preheater, workpiece temperature analyzers, supercritical water oxidation for industrial waste streams and a porous radiant burner. Presented below is a review of each of DOE's Industrial Combustion Equipment projects as well as an indication of future Program emphasis and direction. |