APPARATUS FOR PRE-HEATING FEEDSTOCK TO A MELTER USING MELTER EXHAUST

A system for pre-heating feedstock to a melter using melter exhaust comprises a structure defining a melting chamber (4), at least one feedstock supply structure (33, 33A) fluidly connected to the structure defining the melting chamber (4), one or more exhaust conduit (22, 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, 22E, 22F) fluidly connected to the structure defining the melting chamber (4), a heat exchange area (A), the feedstock flowing through the heat exchange area (A) to the melting chamber, at least some of the exhaust flowing from the melting chamber flowing through the heat exchange area (A), the heat exchange area (A) being configured for allowing heat exchange from the at least some of the exhaust to at least some of the feedstock (35), wherein the heat exchange area (A) comprises at least one section which is positioned at an angle (θ, θ, θ, θ) to the vertical ranging from 0 to 90 degrees.A method using this system comprises the steps of supplying a granular or pellet-sized feedstock from a feedstock supply structure (33, 33A) to the heat exchange area (A), supplying exhaust from the melting chamber to the heat exchange area (A) and preheating the granular or pellet-sized feedstock by direct and/or indirect contact with melter exhaust in the heat exchange area (A).