Semester
Summer
Date of Graduation
2004
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
College
Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Committee Chair
John E. Sneckenberger.
Abstract
An important focus in the glass melting industry, which is an energy intensive industry, is towards greater output and increased energy efficiency in the glass melting process. Conversion to the oxy-fuel-fired furnace from the traditional air-fuel-fired furnace is one means to achieve greater output and energy efficiency, since the capital cost per ton of glass pulled is approximately 58% less for the oxy-fuel-fired furnace compared to the air-fuel-fired furnace.;The main disadvantages of the oxy-fuel-fired furnace are its higher operating temperature, possibly to more than 2200°F, and its alkali partial pressure that hasten the corrosion of refractory materials, particularly in silica refractories. Thus, the refractories used in the oxy-fuel-fired furnace are subjected to high temperatures and stresses during its service life. Considerable creep could occur in the furnace, if the refractory material is not creep resistant.;In order to improve the performance of refractory materials, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is utilizing High Density Infrared (HDI) technology. This technology, which is relatively new to materials processing, is increasingly being researched in the development of coatings and surface modifications for refractory materials.;This thesis studies the creep resistance effectiveness of the HDI surface treatment for refractory materials. In particular, the dependencies of creep strain on operating temperature and applied stress are studied to determine whether the HDI treated refractory materials can be utilized for glass furnace with oxy-fuel environment.;The ABAQUS finite element program has been used to perform numerical simulation of creep analysis for both untreated and HDI treated refractory materials. Creep user subroutines have been developed in conjunction with a mathematical creep model for both untreated and HDI treated refractory materials.
Recommended Citation
Kuntamalla, Praveen Kumar, "Finite element simulation of creep behavior in enhanced refractory material for glass furnace" (2004). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 1497.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/1497