Exergy-based Analysis and Efficiency Evaluation for an Aluminum Melting Furnace in a Die-casting Plant

The efficiency of a natural gas-fired aluminum melting furnace in a die-casting plant is examined using energy and exergy methods, to improve understanding of the burner system in the furnace and so that potential improvements can be identified. Such improvements not only reduce fuel consumption, but also mitigate environmental emissions and impacts such as climate change. The insights gained through the assessments into the melting furnace are described and potential improvements indicated are discussed. The results confirm that exergy analysis can be used beneficially to analyze and improve the furnace efficiency and that exergy efficiency is a more practical measure in reality. It is anticipated that the results will be of interest and benefit to designers of new and retrofit systems.