CFD prediction for the performance of a heat treatment furnace (Q2641653)

Summary: A heat treatment furnace was simulated by using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to investigate thermal performance of the furnace and the heating process of the metal pieces. The furnace is used to heat treat dredging impellers to obtain the required microstructure and mechanical properties. Since the temperature evolution inside the metal piece cannot be tracked in practice, CFD simulation provides a useful tool to predict the temperature evolution within the metal during the heat treatment. The model consists of turbulent combustion, thermal radiation, and conjugate heat transfer. Temperature measurements were carried out to provide thermal boundary conditions and to calibrate model parameters. An overall energy balance indicated a relatively low energy efficiency of he furnace. To improve energy efficiency design changes were proposed and tested with the model. Among others, heating the furnace by means of radiation plates proved to be a good alternative.