Application of the porous medium combustion technology in the chamber reheating furnaces at Baosteel

The design of the porous medium combustion (PMC) system which has been applied to chamber reheating furnaces is presented in this study and its main application effects are described in detail. Porous medium materials are mainly ceramic ball sucked granular bed porous media and foam ceramic porous media. This study investigates the foam ceramic porous medium and a schematic diagram of the combustion inside this porous medium. The PMC takes a solid medium as its main heat exchange way, thus greatly improving the heat transfer efficiency. Judging from the application effects, the following conclusions have been made: the PMC technology can save more than 25% of energy with remarkable effects; the furnace temperature uniformity can be significantly enhanced; the porous media combustion technology can make the heating furnace design in a more compact way; reduce the time for heating up the furnace; improve the heating rate; and reduce energy consumption.