Joint Theory of Thermal Work for Heating Zone of Coke, Coke-Gas and Gas-Fired Cupolas (based on theory of heat exchangers of H. Le Chatelier)

The analytical theory of thermal work in the heating zone of coke, coke-gas and gas-fired cupolas has been presented in the work. The conception of elaboration of joint (one) thermal theory for the mentioned groups of cupolas has not been considered in the literature so far due to the following reasons: - lack of consistent theory for coke cupolas, - total lack of theoretical basis for thermal work of gas-fired and coke-gas-fired cupolas. The presented paper contains a set of equations for the calculation of characteristic parameters of the heating zone in the coke-, coke-gas- and gas-fired cupolas such as: efficiency, zone heights, temperatures of combustion gas at zone inlets and outlets as well as at height of zones, heating time of metal pieces up to the melting temperature, rate of movement of charge materials down the furnace shaft, losses of physical heat transferred in combustion gases to the ambience. The contribution has derived a basis for the energy analysis of thermal work of the cupolas as well as examples of calculations of characteristic parameters connected with their thermal process. A new approach to selected controversial aspects of the theory of coke cupola performance has been formulated.