| OCR Text |
Show • 5 With the increasing availability of advanced process sensors and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) in industrial heaters, more advanced process control techniques are now possible, either by responding more quickly to load variations or by optimizing the distribution of thermal flux to the load. Conventional combustion systems would be limited by the inability of the burner output to change quickly enough or to maintain adequate uniformity in response to these controls. The low thermal mass and distributed heat release of porous surface radiant burners make them an ideal energy source for an advanced control system. The ARCS would be applicable to a number of industries and processes where high uniform heat flux and precise temperature control are required. These applications include petrochemical processes, where either a fragile fluid (such as petroleum, heat transfer oils, glycol, etc.) or a reaction tube or vessel is to be heated, and metals processing, where loads are heated directly. Steam-methane reforming was selected as the initial demonstration of the ARCS due to the significant process related benefits that will result in this application. Since reforming is a continuous reacting process, optimization of heat flux to process tubes could significantly impact furnace efficiency and process throughput. The ARCS concept is discussed in greater detail in Reference 3. HIGH TEMPERATURE BURNER DEVELOPMENT Critical to the success of the ARCS project was the development of a higher temperature ceramic burner pad material. The Pyrocore burner is recommended for use in applications with load temperatures up to 1 OOO°F, which is sufficient for use in boilers and lower temperature fluid heater applications. However, this temperature limitation does not allow the Pyrocore burner to be used for petrochemical processes that take place at temperatures typical of steam-methane reforming. A typical reformer operates at a process temperature of 1500 to 1600°F with peak tube wall temperatures below 1700°F. One goal of the ARCS project was to maintain the basic character and benefits of the Pyrocore product, while making the incremental improvements necessary to operate at conditions typical of a steam-methane reformer. A two year burner |
