Combustion of fuel oil and natural gas in open-hearth furnaces

Conclusions The new method of firing fuel oil and natural gas with the use of the 3-way Venturi head and the charging of the fuel through the port was successfully introduced at the open-hearth furnaces of the Magnitogorsk Metallurgical Combine.The method of firing open-hearth furnaces with fuel oil or natural gas charged through the port is more rational than the charging of fuel oil or fuel gas directly into the working space of the furnace. This method ensured a high furnace output when fired with cold gas of a high calorific value without the addition of fuel oil; fuel oil is used as an emergency fuel, but it is not essential. The change from mixed gas to liquid fuel or cold natural gas does not require any structural changes of the furnace and results in a higher furnace output.The principle of controlling the flame by a preliminary treatment of the fuel and by mixing the fuel with hot air should be employed in standard furnaces designed for firing fuel oil and cold gas of high calorific value (with single and double ports).Translated from Metallurg, No. 10, pp. 14–19 October, 1960