Simulation of the Thermal Performance of Regenerative Heat Exchanger for Recovering the Heat of Combustion of Converter Gas

The heat of combustion of converter gas periodically generated in oxygen-converter steelmaking of a metallurgical combine can be used for alternate heating of the ceramic checkers of two or more regenerators (such as Cowper stoves of blast furnaces) and alternate cooling of them by a continuous air flow heated to a high temperature. The air heated to a temperature of about 1200–1300°C can be used as an air blast for a blast furnace, or in a heat-recovery steam generator. A configuration for combustion of converter gas in regenerators and recovery of its heat of combustion is proposed, and a mathematical model is developed to analyze the thermal state of the ceramic checker of regenerative heat exchangers and the temperature of heating gases and heated air during heating and cooling of regenerators with variable flow of heating gases. When using this method of recovery of the heat of combustion of converter gas at the Severstal Company, where two or three converters with a capacity of 410 tons alternately operate, it is possible to save gaseous fuel in an amount of about 200 thousand tons of standard fuel per year and to significantly reduce the carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.