Break up of Thermal Boundary Layer - An Energy Improvement Strategy Using Oscillating Combustion Technology

A new oscillating combustion valve was introduced on the path of fuel flow in a small fuel fired crucible furnace for foundry operations. The data obtained from the experiments is used for the analysis of oscillating combustion mode to a steady state combustion mode for the parameters of melting time, specific energy consumption, and thermal efficiency of the system at different air-fuel ratios, loads, frequency and amplitude. To verify the significance of the oscillations in the fuel reaching the burner which break up the thermal boundary layer formed during a steady state combustion mode, tests were conducted on the furnace in the non-oscillating mode and oscillating mode of combustion and comparisons have been made. It was observed that the data of different temperatures recorded during these pragmatic tests are sufficient to understand that the more luminous and long length of flames obtained from fuel-rich zone due to fuel oscillations can break up the thermal boundary layer formed during the operations of non-oscillating mode resulting in enhancement of performance characteristics to produce maximum benefits in the oscillating mode.