One of the most potent ways to improve efficiency and productivity of fuel-fired industrial heating processes is to preheat the combustion air going to the burners. A new tip sheet issued by U.S Department of Energy explains how process heating equipment users can take advantage of this built-in process benefit.

The source of the heat energy to preheat combustion air is the exhaust gas stream, which leaves the process at elevated temperatures. A heat exchanger, placed in the exhaust stack or ductwork, can extract a large portion of the thermal energy in the flue gases and transfer it to the incoming combustion air. Recycling heat this way will reduce the amount of the purchased fuel needed by the furnace. Fuel savings for different process temperatures can be used to estimate reductions in energy costs.

For a copy of the tip sheet, contact the Office of Industrial Technologies at (202) 586-2380 or call the Industrial Heating Equipment Association at (703) 525-2513.

Heater Receives FM Approval

Cata-Dyne infrared heater from CCI Thermal Technologies Inc., Edmonton, Alb., Canada, received Factory Mutual approval, making it the only explosion-proof gas catalytic heater in the world with FM approval for use in Class 1, Division 1, Group D hazardous locations.

The heater was introduced to the Canadian oil and gas market in 1964, and since that time it has been approved by Canadian Gas Association (CGA) and later by Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Currently, the heaters are sold across North America, South America, western and eastern Europe, Australia and Asia.