Oxy Fuel: Low Emission Oxygen Natural Gas Burners

Oxy fuel combustion refers to a process that combusts fuels like natural gas using pure oxygen. Traditional combustion uses air which is made up of about 21% oxygen, 79% nitrogen and small concentrations of many other gases. Nitrogen does not contribute to the combustion. Instead, it absorbs a large portion of the heat generated from combustion, leaving less heat available for the process. Reducing the presence of nitrogen in the furnace and using oxy fuel burners delivers more available heat for higher throughput, thereby improving efficiency, leaving fewer products of combustion and a reduced carbon footprint. The radiation of heat transferred to the metal from the oxy fuel flames is much higher compared to air fuel, allowing for faster heating of the metal without elevating the furnace temperature.

Oxy Fuel Applications

Metal production is one of the most energy-intensive industries on Earth, requiring temperatures usually reserved for the inside of an active volcano. As any melt shop manager can testify, the monetary cost of generating and maintaining such awe-inspiring temperature can be staggering. Oxy fuel burners are commonly used by aluminum, iron, steel, copper, brass and lead producers to improve efficiency for their high-temperature furnaces. Oxy fuel can be found in:

• Blast furnaces
• Shaft Furnaces
• Ladle Preheating
• Reheating Furnaces
• Galvanizing and Annealing Lines

Other applications for oxy fuel include glass production, fossil fuel power generation, and carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture and sequestration initiatives.

Decarbonization with Ultra Low Emission Burners

Though it seems counter intuitive, oxy fuel can increase production while lowering emissions. Since there is less nitrogen in the combustion mix, the heat generated from oxy fuel combustion contributes to melting more metal, rather than un-used heat being lost through the furnace exhaust. As a result, less fuel is consumed which reduces CO₂ emissions from the furnace. Due to the oxygen rich fuel mixture, the oxy fuel flue gas is reduced to primarily CO₂ and water with little or no nitrogen. Thus, inherent nitrogen oxide (NO_X) formation can be avoided. Though some NO_X can form due to air ingress from furnace leaks, proper burner location and leak management can achieve very low NO_X emissions.

Key Benefits of Oxy Fuel Burners

1. Higher Throughput: Furnaces can heat faster even while not exceeding the current refractory limits with a more uniform heat distribution
2. Lower Fuel Consumption: Using less air in the gas-fuel mix increases the operation efficiency.
3. Reduced CO₂ and NO_X emissions
4. Increased Flexibility: OXIPYR® Low Emission Air-Oxy Fuel (LEAF) burners give users greater control for more efficient oxygen usage.
   
   

OXIPYR Pure Oxygen Technology

Messer OXIPYR low emission burners are a proven oxy fuel solution. Available in a full range of customizable configurations, they can create a more homogenized furnace temperature which can result in:

• Throughout gains of up to 50%
• Cut fuel costs by up to 30%
• CO₂ emissions reduced by up to 30%

For example, a recently installed OXIPYR system reduced cycle times for reheating 4-3/4” billets in a rotary hearth furnace by half and reduced overall energy consumption by a full 63%.

Be in Control with OXIPYR LEAF

OXIPYR LEAF oxy fuel burners provide enhanced control, giving operators the ability to dynamically switch from air to pure oxygen, or any mix in between. This flexibility allows furnaces to increase productivity using oxygen when needed, while conserving oxygen supply at times when cycle time is not a factor or fuel costs drop. OXIPYR LEAF burners help you balance production demands with profitability.

Messer offers installation, commissioning, repair and maintenance services for the OXIPYR gas burner systems for industrial use; and combustion solutions for related markets. To learn more about OXIPYR burners, please download the data sheets below.