Deformation and hydraulic resistance of a regenerative heat exchanger poured checkerwork

Abstract

A method of calculation of the creep deformation and hydraulic resistance of a poured checkerwork making it possible to take into consideration the basic features of cyclic operation of a regenerative heat exchanger has been developed and used on an IBM type computer. The method is designed for use in determination of the quality characteristics of a poured checkerwork [11] and calculation of the increase in hydraulic resistance of a poured checkerwork of a regenerative heat exchanger as the result of the simultaneous action of more than one factor [2]. The influence of a number of operational and design factors on the operation of an actual hot-blast stove with a poured checkerwork at Kosogorsk Metallurgical Plant was analyzed. It was established that in the increase in hydraulic resistance in the stoves of Kosogorsk Metallurgical Plant in service for a year with a dome temperature of 1500°C the share caused by deformation of the checkerwork is about 1/5 of the combined influence of all reasons for the increase in resistance. With a further increase in dome temperature to 1550 and 1600°C the influence of deformation of the spheres on checkerwork resistance will be the most significant reason for the increase in resistance of all of the remaining ones. As the result an increase in total checkerwork resistance during a year of service at 1550°C of another 30–40 % in comparison with that observed in operation with a dome temperature of 1500°C may be expected. Operation at tdome=1600°C accelerates the increase in resistance by 1.5–2 times in comparison with operation with tdome= 1500°C. Taking into consideration the last determinations the undesirability of service of the hot-blast stove block with a poured checkerwork at Kosogorsk Metallurgical Plant with tdome=1600°C and the doubtfulness of long service of the stoves at tdome=1550°C must be concluded.