Forging furnace with thermochemical waste-heat recuperation by natural gas reforming: Fuel saving and heat balance

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2021-01, Vol.46 (1), p.100-109
• Main Authors: Pashchenko, Dmitry, Nikitin, Maxim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Energy efficiency; Reforming of methane; Regeneration rate; Thermochemical regeneration; Waste-heat
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.09.228

This paper considers thermochemical recuperation (TCR) of waste-heat using natural gas reforming by steam and combustion products. Combustion products contain steam (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and ballast nitrogen (N2). Because endothermic chemical reactions take place, methane steam-dry reforming creates new synthetic fuel that contains valuable combustion components: hydrogen (H2), carbon monoxide (CO), and unreformed methane (CH4). There are several advantages to performing TCR in the industrial furnaces: high energy efficiency, high regeneration rate (rate of waste-heat recovery), and low emission of greenhouse gases (CO2, NOx). As will be shown, the use of TCR is significantly increasing the efficiency of industrial furnaces – it has been observed that TCR is capable of reducing fuel consumption by nearly 25%. Additionally, increased energy efficiency has a beneficial effect on the environment as it leads to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. •Fuel saving by thermochemical waste-heat recuperation (TCR).•TCR is capable of reducing fuel consumption by nearly 25%.•TCR can be considered as hydrogen-rich fuel production technology.