RERADIANT RECUPERATION FOR ALUMINUM MELTERS.

The development that enables reduction of recuperator size or improved performance while maintaining unit efficiency and heat-recovery capacity is based on reradiation. The physical embodiment of this method is a metal insert (reradiator) hung in the flue-gas passage of the stack recuperator. The insert is heated by the hot flue products by convection and to a lesser extent by radiation. The insert then radiates to the metal interface wall between the flue gas and the process combustion air to be heated. Calculations indicate a substantial savings of energy.