Energy saving effect with honeycomb crown

A honeycomb crown increases heat emissivity, enlarges inner surface area and changes the radiation angular coefficient of the crown toward the liquid surface. Therefore, it substantially improves radiation heat transfer inside the furnace. This paper discusses the melt temperature change by analysing the heat radiating process between flame, crown, breast wall and molten glass surface. The energy savings from the honeycomb crown depended on the design of the openings on their surface. Two kinds of opening structure were chosen after comparing many factors that determined crown characteristics such as crown temperature, heat loss through the furnace wall, energy consumption and so on. The honeycomb crown had been used on 12 glass furnaces that were end port tank, unit melting and cross fire tanks. The principal result was obviously reduced energy consumption by 5-7%. In addition the melting rate increased 6%, glass quality improved decisively and glass temperature at the tank bottom was enhanced. It is discovered during cold repairing these furnaces that wear of the crown surface was not evident.