The benefits of Hot Spot Boosting and CGM oxygen burner technology on end fired and cross fired glass furnaces

Mark Cole ,BOC Metallurgy and Glass Team

Over that last couple of years the glass container industry in the UK has seen a number of oxy-fuel hot spot boost systems used both to recover lost glass production in ageing regenerators and also used to improve overall production. In April 2004 BOC installed its first hot spot oxy-fuel boost system seeing an immediate increase in efficiency and profitability as tank output was boosted by 10%. By September 2008 BOC’s Glass Technical Support team based in Brinsworth, Sheffield will be installing the 7th hot spot boost installation into UK container glass furnaces. The presentation discusses the implementation of this proven technology into end fired regenerative tanks highlighting the benefits seen in output, quality and extending furnace life. Results show significant improvement in glass output while reducing the pressure on regenerators by removing considerable volumes of combustion air with oxygen. The work also highlights the development of CGM crown burner technology for increased float glass production and its progression into the container glass market.

Finally the presentation covers the benefits that could be achieved in using oxygen based burner technology to partially replace combustion air within a glass furnace in order to reduce and control NOx based emissions at a cost effective rate.

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