A furnace, a method of constructing a furnace and a method of retrofitting a furnace

Abstract

The present invention relates to a furnace for performing chemical processes and / or for heating process media, wherein the furnace includes a plurality of walls (111) defining an internal volume of the furnace, wherein a plurality of load-bearing elements (211, 212, 213) of at least one wall (111) of the furnace are configured as a load-bearing structure (210) of the furnace, wherein the plurality of load-bearing elements (211, 212, 213) comprises: a first number of horizontally arranged beams (212) and a second number of vertically arranged beams (211, 213), which are interconnected to form a load-bearing frame. The structure includes a plurality of grooves (230) disposed in the at least one wall adjacent to the plurality of load-bearing elements (211, 212, 213) of the load-bearing structure (210), wherein the plurality of grooves (230) are configured as holes located between the beams (211, 212, 213) of the load-bearing frame structure, wherein each groove (230) is surrounded by two horizontally arranged beams (212) and two vertically arranged beams (211, 213); wherein at least one electric heating unit (140) is disposed in the plurality of grooves (230).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a furnace for performing chemical processes and / or for heating process media, as well as a method for constructing a furnace and a method for modifying a furnace. Background Technology

[0002] In many processes in the chemical industry, reactors or furnaces are used in which one or more reactants pass through heated reaction tubes to carry out catalytic or non-catalytic reactions. Heating is used in particular to overcome the activation energy required for the chemical reaction to occur, and in the case of endothermic reactions, to provide the energy required for the chemical reaction. The reaction may proceed generally endothermally or exothermally after the activation energy has been overcome.

[0003] Examples of such processes include steam cracking, various reforming processes, particularly steam reforming, dry reforming (carbon dioxide reforming), mixed reforming processes, and alkane dehydrogenation processes. In steam cracking, the reaction tubes are guided through the reactor or furnace in the form of coils, with the coils having at least one reverse bend in the furnace, while in steam reforming, tubes that pass through the furnace without reverse bends are typically used.

[0004] For example, "Rohde: "Chamber Furnace KE 150 / 10 EW | ROHDE", July 6, 2022 (2022-07-06), pp. 1-3, XP093157256" discloses a box furnace that includes four-sided heating and heating elements embedded in bricks.

[0005] For example, document CN 216106788 U discloses an electrically heated ethylene cracking furnace device, which includes a cracking furnace and a circulating gas loop. The cracking furnace includes a furnace body, radiant coils arranged inside the furnace body, electric heating elements, and a heat exchange tube bundle. The circulating gas path forms a closed loop with the furnace body, and the electric heating elements are used to transfer the heat required for the cracking reaction to the process fluid in the radiant coils and to heat the circulating gas inside the furnace body. The circulating gas acts as a heat carrier, carrying heat to the heat exchange tube bundle and recovering heat through the heat exchange tube bundle.

[0006] For example, CN 216106762 U discloses an electrically heated ethylene cracking furnace, which includes a furnace body, a radiant coil arranged on the furnace body, a plurality of electric heating elements, and refractory material lining the furnace body. The electric heating elements are arranged in the refractory material, and / or arranged on the reflective surface of the refractory material, and / or arranged between the reflective surface of the refractory material and the radiant coil. The three modes are selected according to the actual process requirements, or used independently or in combination.

[0007] This invention can also be used in conjunction with so-called "millisecond" or "single-pass" reactors, characterized by very short residence times.

[0008] A further application of the invention is a furnace used to perform: a reverse water-gas shift reaction (RWGS) of carbon dioxide and hydrogen to form carbon monoxide and water; dehydrogenation of oxygen-containing compounds (e.g., the reaction of methanol to formaldehyde and hydrogen); decomposition of ammonia to produce gaseous nitrogen and hydrogen; dehydrogenation of so-called liquid organic hydrogen storage carriers (LOHC) as known to those skilled in the art; and reforming of methanol and glycerol (the portion not covered by the aforementioned term "reforming").

[0009] This invention applies to all embodiments of furnaces used in such processes and furnaces used for heating process media. For illustrative purposes only, see the entries for "Ethylene," "Gas Production," and "Propylene" in the Ullman Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, such as the publication published on April 15, 2009 (DOI: 10.1002 / 14356007.a10_045.pub2), the publication published on December 15, 2006 (DOI: 10.1002 / 14356007.a12_169.pub2), and the publication published on June 15, 2000 (DOI: 10.1002 / 14356007.a22_211).

[0010] The reaction tubes of the corresponding furnace are traditionally heated by using burners. For this purpose, the reaction tubes are guided through a combustion chamber, in which the burners are also arranged. However, the burners in the corresponding furnace can also be supported or replaced by electric heating devices that produce no local carbon dioxide emissions or reduce local carbon dioxide emissions. In addition to direct electric heating (where current is applied to the reaction tubes themselves, for example in a known star (point) circuit configuration) and other heating types not detailed here, there is also a concept of so-called indirect electric heating. This indirect electric heating can be performed, for example, using electrically operated radiant heating elements ("radiant heaters") suitable for heating to the high temperatures required for the aforementioned reaction, arranged within the furnace in a position where they are not in direct contact with the reaction tubes. Heat transfer occurs primarily or entirely in the form of radiant heat.

[0011] In these types of indirect heating furnaces, the corresponding heating elements may have a limited lifespan, which can lead to high levels of maintenance requirements, especially in furnaces with high process temperatures, such as cracking furnaces, reforming furnaces, or DRI (direct reduced iron) furnaces. Therefore, improvements are desired in furnaces with radiant heating elements for indirect heating. Summary of the Invention

[0012] This invention relates to a furnace, a method of constructing the furnace, and a method of modifying the furnace, the furnace having the features of the independent claim. Various embodiments and advantages constitute the subject matter of the dependent claims and the following description.

[0013] The furnace or process furnace is configured to perform chemical processes, i.e., processes for carrying out chemical reactions and / or processes for heating process media. For this purpose, tubes or reaction tubes to be heated (hereinafter collectively referred to as "tubes") can be arranged within the internal volume or chamber or process chamber of the furnace, allowing one or more reactants to pass through the corresponding heated tubes and undergo catalytic or non-catalytic reactions therein. The process media to be heated can also pass through the corresponding heated tubes. In particular, the furnace can be configured to perform steam cracking processes, various reforming processes, especially steam reforming, dry reforming (carbon dioxide reforming), mixed reforming processes, and alkane dehydrogenation processes, etc. Specifically, the furnace can be a cracking furnace, a reforming furnace, a direct reduced iron (DRI) furnace, etc.

[0014] The furnace is specifically a high-performance furnace, particularly suitable for industrial-scale use. For example, the furnace can have a power output exceeding 1 MW, especially exceeding 10 MW or even exceeding 100 MW.

[0015] The furnace includes multiple walls, such as side walls, a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall. These walls define or enclose an internal volume of the furnace in which the tubes to be heated can be disposed.

[0016] Multiple load-bearing elements of at least one wall of the furnace are configured as static load-bearing sections or load-bearing structures of the furnace, wherein the multiple load-bearing elements include: a first number of horizontally arranged beams or rods and a second number of vertically arranged beams or rods, which are interconnected to form a load-bearing frame structure. Therefore, the load-bearing structure is suitably required to maintain the structural or static integrity of the entire furnace. The load-bearing structure is configured as several separate load-bearing elements, at least some of which are interconnected, such as beams, rods, plates, etc. Multiple load-bearing elements of the load-bearing structure are configured and interconnected. These different load-bearing elements can be connected, for example, by mechanical fastening or connecting devices (such as bolts, screws, etc.), and / or by material joining (such as welding), and / or can be formed as a single unit. Suitably, the load-bearing elements can be beams, rods, etc.

[0017] The load-bearing structure is also referred to hereinafter as the first section, first part, or first segment of the corresponding wall. A second section, second part, or second segment of the corresponding at least one wall may suitably be configured as a non-load-bearing section of the furnace. This second section is suitably independent of or decoupled from the load-bearing structure of the furnace. Suitably, this second section is not necessarily required to maintain the structural or static integrity of the entire furnace. The second section may, for example, be configured as a monolithic element, a single element, with or without cavities, made of a specific material (such as a filler material), or as several interconnected separate elements (e.g., beams, rods, plates, etc.).

[0018] The plurality of load-bearing elements includes a first number of load-bearing elements arranged horizontally or at least substantially horizontally, and a second number of load-bearing elements arranged vertically or at least substantially vertically. Suitably, the horizontally arranged load-bearing elements may be a lateral connection between the vertically arranged load-bearing elements.

[0019] The multiple load-bearing elements of the load-bearing structure form a frame structure. Suitablely, each wall of the furnace includes correspondingly connected horizontal and vertical load-bearing elements, such that all these load-bearing elements form a three-dimensional frame structure enclosing an internal volume within which tubes can be arranged.

[0020] Multiple recesses, openings, or cavities are provided in at least one wall, adjacent to the load-bearing elements of the load-bearing structure. The recesses are configured as holes located between beams of the load-bearing frame structure, wherein each recess is surrounded by two horizontally arranged beams and two vertically arranged beams. The corresponding recesses are arranged to directly abut the corresponding load-bearing elements, i.e., such that the corresponding recesses are arranged close to the load-bearing elements.

[0021] Specifically, each groove is surrounded by several load-bearing elements of the load-bearing structure. Appropriately, each groove can be arranged between corresponding load-bearing elements (such as beams, rods, etc.). For example, each groove can be cuboid in shape. Specifically, two vertically arranged load-bearing elements and two horizontally arranged load-bearing elements can be positioned adjacent to the respective sides of the corresponding cuboid groove.

[0022] Specifically, the load-bearing elements of the load-bearing structure are configured as solid rods and beams, arranged horizontally and vertically, and interconnected to form a load-bearing frame structure. The grooves can be configured as holes or cavities located between the rods / beams of the frame structure. Each of these grooves can be surrounded by two horizontally arranged rods or beams and two vertically arranged rods or beams of the load-bearing structure.

[0023] For example, the second section itself may be or form the at least one groove. Such a groove may be configured, for example, by first constructing the entire wall and then removing material or elements from the created wall. Alternatively, when creating the corresponding wall, the material or elements of the corresponding wall may be configured to surround the corresponding groove, such that the groove remains open. A groove, or the sum of various grooves, may, for example, occupy the entire second section, such that the second section itself corresponds to a groove or opening in the furnace wall. It is also possible that the groove, or the sum of various grooves, does not occupy the entire second section.

[0024] At least one electric heating unit is disposed, inserted, or mounted in the plurality of recesses. These electric heating units are configured to electrically heat the internal volume of the furnace and can be electrically operated to radiate heat energy used to heat the interior of the furnace to a corresponding temperature, such as the temperature required to perform a corresponding chemical process. The electric heating units are specifically configured as modular units, and may include actual heating elements or heating devices as well as other components, such as those for insulation, mounting, etc. Specifically, one electric heating unit is disposed in each recess. The shapes and dimensions of the electric heating units and the corresponding recesses are appropriately corresponding to or matched to each other.

[0025] Specifically, the electric heating unit is configured as part of a non-load-bearing section of the corresponding furnace wall. The electric heating unit is suitably independent of and decoupled from the load-bearing structure of the furnace, and in particular, is not required for maintaining the structural or static integrity of the furnace.

[0026] It should be understood that only one furnace wall may be provided with the corresponding groove and electric heating unit, or several furnace walls may be provided with the corresponding groove and electric heating unit independently. In particular, each furnace wall may include independently distributed load-bearing sections, wherein the position, number, shape and size of the corresponding groove can be independently determined.

[0027] This invention allows for the integration of electric heating devices for effectively indirect heating of the furnace interior into the furnace wall in a space-saving, low-cost, and low-workload manner. Specifically, the number, position, shape, and size of each recess and the corresponding inserted heating unit can be determined to allow for efficient heating of the furnace interior according to static requirements for maintaining the structural integrity of the furnace. Suitablely, the structural support structure of the furnace is statically decoupled from the heating device, and further particularly from other components (such as wiring, connectors, etc.) required for setting up and operating the heating device. Electrical wiring and connectors between the individual heating units can, for example, be located outside the furnace. In particular, these connectors can be easily disconnected individually. Each heating unit can be easily inserted into its respective recess and further easily removed from its respective recess within a short time, for example, for maintenance, repair, or replacement, without risking loss of the furnace's structural integrity. This invention particularly allows for a high degree of freedom in the design of the individual heating units, for example, regarding tolerances, and for considering the elongated holes of the individual connectors.

[0028] In traditional indirect heating furnaces, the corresponding heating devices or heating elements are typically located inside the furnace, i.e., within its internal volume, usually arranged near or attached to the furnace walls. Because the surface load of these heating elements may be limited, they may have to be mounted across the entire surface of the corresponding furnace wall. Furthermore, the size of the various heating elements may be limited for operability and electrical control reasons, resulting in a large number of heating elements and correspondingly numerous connections between these elements and other components (such as main supports or carriers). This furnace design can lead to very high maintenance costs. Heating elements are often not easily removed from the furnace, meaning maintenance may have to be performed inside the furnace itself. For this purpose, scaffolding may need to be installed inside the furnace, which can be quite cumbersome and expensive.

[0029] In contrast, the electric heating units of the furnace according to the invention can be easily removed, allowing maintenance of the removed heating units and their heating devices to be performed outside the furnace, for example, in a workshop. Therefore, maintenance of the heating units does not necessarily have to be performed inside the furnace itself. Suitablely, scaffolding is not required inside the furnace for maintaining the heating units. Thus, the invention allows for the maintenance, repair, or replacement of individual heating units in a quick, low-cost, and low-workload manner, and this maintenance, repair, or replacement can be performed under high safety conditions.

[0030] The present invention also relates to a method for constructing a furnace for performing chemical processes and / or for heating process media. The method may be performed during the planning or design phase (in which the furnace design and structure are developed) and in the subsequent construction phase (in which the furnace is finally constructed).

[0031] Several walls are provided, defining the interior of the furnace. Multiple load-bearing elements of at least one wall of the furnace are configured as the load-bearing structure or a first section of the furnace, wherein the multiple load-bearing elements include: a first number of horizontally arranged beams and a second number of vertically arranged beams, which are interconnected to form a load-bearing frame structure. A second section of the corresponding wall can be configured as a non-load-bearing section of the furnace. For example, through structural analysis, the corresponding wall can be appropriately planned, designed, and developed as having a corresponding distribution of first and second sections. The first and second sections can be constructed by assembling corresponding different elements (such as beams, rods, plates, etc.).

[0032] Multiple recesses or openings are provided in the respective walls, adjacent to load-bearing elements, for example, by constructing the entire wall and then removing material or elements from it, or by providing the corresponding material or elements of the wall so that the recesses remain open. The multiple recesses are configured as holes located between beams of the load-bearing frame structure, wherein each recess is surrounded by two horizontally arranged beams and two vertically arranged beams. At least one electric heating unit is provided in the multiple recesses. These electric heating units are suitably configured as part of the non-load-bearing section of the respective wall. The various heating units can be interconnected, for example, through electrical wiring and connections provided outside the furnace.

[0033] Therefore, the corresponding furnace can be explicitly constructed from the outset with various grooves and heating units. Appropriately, for example, during the development or design phase, the corresponding load-bearing and non-load-bearing sections can be distributed within the furnace walls, ensuring the structural integrity of the furnace can be safely guaranteed and allowing the grooves and heating units to be effectively distributed throughout the furnace to enable optimal heating of the furnace interior.

[0034] The present invention also relates to a method for modifying a furnace used for performing chemical processes and / or for heating process media. Thus, the furnace already exists and is suitably already in operation, i.e., multiple furnace walls have been constructed.

[0035] At least one wall of the furnace has corresponding load-bearing elements identified as load-bearing structures, wherein the load-bearing elements comprise: a first number of horizontally arranged beams and a second number of vertically arranged beams, which are interconnected to form a load-bearing frame structure. A second section of the corresponding wall can be identified as a non-load-bearing section. Specifically, for example, through structural analysis, the individual walls and their contribution to the structural integrity of the furnace can be evaluated to identify the corresponding load-bearing and non-load-bearing sections of the wall.

[0036] Multiple recesses are provided in at least one wall, adjacent to a load-bearing element, wherein the multiple recesses are configured as holes located between beams of the load-bearing frame structure, and each recess is surrounded by two horizontally arranged beams and two vertically arranged beams. Suitablely, the recesses are provided in a second non-load-bearing section of at least one wall. At least one electric heating unit is provided in or inserted into the multiple recesses. Suitablely, material or elements of the existing wall can be removed to create the corresponding recesses. Through structural analysis of the supporting structure, the load-bearing and non-load-bearing sections of the furnace wall can be identified, and the corresponding material or elements can be safely removed without compromising the static integrity of the furnace.

[0037] Therefore, for example, to reduce future maintenance costs, existing furnaces can be retrospectively upgraded to have corresponding grooves and heating units. Appropriately, the existing static conditions of the furnace can be assessed to identify the load-bearing and non-load-bearing sections of the furnace wall. Based on these given conditions, the grooves and heating units can be specifically distributed to allow for optimal heating of the furnace interior.

[0038] The embodiments and advantages of the furnace and method according to the invention should be derived from this description in a similar manner.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the at least one electric heating unit is configured as an interchangeable, replaceable, or substitute unit or module. If necessary, such as during maintenance or in the event of a defect, the corresponding electric heating unit can be easily replaced with a suitable spare part.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the at least one electric heating unit is fastened by removable fastening devices (e.g., screws, bolts, brackets, etc.). These fastening devices allow the respective heating unit to be easily connected to and secured to the remaining wall. If necessary, the fastening devices can be released, allowing the respective heating unit to be easily removed.

[0041] According to one embodiment, each electric heating unit includes a heating element and / or an insulation element and / or a panel element. The heating element is specifically configured as an actual heating device for the interior of the furnace. For example, the heating element may be an electric heating wire or a heating material such as SiC or MoSi2. The insulation element may be suitably configured to insulate the interior of the furnace from the external environment. The panel element may be suitably configured as a cover or shield for the outer surface of the corresponding furnace wall, and may be, for example, a steel plate. The electric heating unit may also include other elements, such as electrical wiring and connection devices. For example, each heating unit may also include welded reinforcing ribs, suitably used to strengthen the corresponding heating unit against wind loads, etc.

[0042] According to one embodiment, each groove is positioned in a specific location and / or has a specific shape and / or has a specific size. Suitablely, for example, depending on the location, shape, and size of the supporting element, the location, shape, and size of each groove can be determined independently, for example, to allow for optimal heating of the furnace. For example, several or all grooves may also have the same shape and / or the same size. Furthermore, the shape and / or size of the electric heating unit can also be determined independently. Suitablely, the shape and size of a corresponding heating unit corresponds to the corresponding groove into which it is inserted.

[0043] According to one embodiment, each of the plurality of grooves is configured as an opening through the at least one wall, specifically an opening that extends completely through the at least one wall. Thus, each groove completely penetrates the wall and extends along the entire thickness of the corresponding furnace wall, i.e., from the inside or internal volume of the furnace to the outside.

[0044] According to one embodiment, structural analysis, static calculation, or static evaluation is performed to determine the location and / or shape and / or size of the load-bearing elements of the at least one wall. Furthermore, the location and / or shape and / or size of a second non-load-bearing section of the at least one wall can be determined through structural analysis. When constructing a new furnace, structural analysis can be performed, for example, to distribute the load-bearing and non-load-bearing sections, such that the structural integrity of the furnace can be safely maintained, and that a sufficiently large area is available for accommodating heating units to effectively heat the furnace. When retrofitting a furnace, structural analysis can be performed, for example, to allow for the safe installation of recesses without compromising the structural integrity of the furnace, and to allow the heating units to be distributed for effective heating of the furnace.

[0045] According to one embodiment, a structural analysis is performed to determine a specific number of the plurality of recesses and / or a specific location and / or a specific shape and / or a specific size of each of the plurality of recesses. The structural analysis can be suitably performed so that available non-load-bearing sections can be effectively utilized to efficiently heat the furnace. For example, when constructing a new furnace, a structural analysis can be suitably performed to interdependently determine the location, shape, and size of the first and second sections, as well as the various recesses. Therefore, the furnace design can be specifically optimized so that the heating units can be distributed in an optimal manner.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the at least one electric heating unit is configured as a non-load-bearing structure of the at least one wall (111) of the furnace (100). Therefore, the heating unit disposed within the recess (i.e., particularly a heating unit disposed in a cavity or hole located between rods / beams of the load-bearing structure) does not bear a load-bearing function and can therefore be, for example, a lightweight element. The heating unit is thus independent of and decoupled from the load-bearing structure and is particularly unnecessary for maintaining the structural or static integrity of the furnace. Therefore, the heating unit can be easily removed, for example for maintenance, repair, or replacement, without risking loss of the furnace's structural integrity.

[0047] Further advantages and developments of the present invention are described in the specification and related drawings.

[0048] It goes without saying that the features already mentioned above and described below can be used not only in the combinations specifically indicated, but also in other combinations or independently, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0049] The present invention is schematically illustrated in the accompanying drawings based on exemplary embodiments, and will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0050] Figure 1 An embodiment of the furnace according to the invention is schematically shown in a cross-sectional side view.

[0051] Figure 2 A portion of the wall of a furnace according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically in a side view. Detailed Implementation

[0052] Figure 1 An embodiment of the furnace 100 according to the present invention is shown in a schematic cross-sectional side view.

[0053] Furnace 100, or process furnace, is configured to perform chemical processes, such as steam cracking, reforming, etc. Furnace 100 can also be configured to heat process media. For example, furnace 100 can be configured as a cracking furnace, reforming furnace, direct reduced iron (DRI) furnace, etc. Furnace 100 is a high-performance furnace with a power exceeding 1 MW, or for example, exceeding 10 MW or even exceeding 100 MW.

[0054] Furnace 100 includes a plurality of walls 110 defining and enclosing an internal volume or process chamber 120. For example, the furnace may include four side walls 111, wherein... Figure 1 Only two of these sidewalls, as well as top wall 112 and bottom wall 113, are shown.

[0055] Multiple tubes or reaction tubes 130 are disposed in the process chamber 120. One or more reactants can pass through these tubes 130 to undergo catalytic or non-catalytic reactions. To overcome the activation energy of the corresponding chemical reaction, the tubes 130 should be heated to a predetermined temperature. Alternatively, one or more process media to be heated can be passed through the tubes 130, wherein the tubes 130 are heated to a predetermined temperature.

[0056] For this purpose, the electric heating unit 140 is disposed in one or more furnace walls, for example, in each side wall 111. Each side wall 111 includes multiple support elements as a support structure. Recesses are disposed in each side wall 111, adjacent to the corresponding support elements. In each of these recesses, an electric heating unit is inserted, as will be referred to below. Figure 2 This is to provide an explanation.

[0057] Figure 2 A portion of one of the sidewalls 111 of a furnace 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in a schematic side view.

[0058] like Figure 2 As shown, the load-bearing structure 210 of wall 111 may include a plurality of interconnected separate load-bearing elements, such as a plurality of individual beams or rods 211, 212, 213. In particular, the vertically arranged beams 211, 213 may be connected to the horizontally arranged beams 212 as transverse connections. These beams 211, 212, 213 of the load-bearing structure 210 suitably form a load-bearing frame structure.

[0059] Multiple recesses 230 are provided in the wall 111, adjacent to the load-bearing elements 211, 212, 213. For example, each recess may be configured as a cuboid chamber or hole surrounded by a corresponding beam of the first load-bearing section 210. Each recess 230 is configured as an opening extending completely through the wall 111 along its entire thickness, i.e., from the inside to the outside of the furnace.

[0060] The aforementioned electric heating unit 140 is disposed in the groove 230, wherein one electric heating unit 140 is disposed in each groove 230. Suitablely, the shape and size of each electric heating unit 140 corresponds to and matches the shape and size of the corresponding groove 230 into which it is inserted.

[0061] Each heating unit 140 is connected to the beam of the load-bearing section 210 by a detachable fastening device (such as screws, bolts, etc.). The electrically heated units 140, inserted into the recesses 230 and connected to the load-bearing elements 211, 212, 213, are configured as the second non-load-bearing section 220 of the wall 111. The heating units 140 do not bear load-bearing functions, are decoupled from the load-bearing structure 210, and are not required to maintain the structural or static integrity of the furnace. Therefore, each heating unit 140 can be easily inserted into and easily removed from the wall 111, for example, for maintenance, repair, or replacement. In particular, each heating unit 140 is configured as an interchangeable module that can be easily replaced with appropriate spare parts.

[0062] Each electric heating unit 140 includes: a heating element (e.g., an electric heating wire or heating material such as SiC or MoSi2) as the actual heating device, as well as a heat insulation element and a panel element. Furthermore, each heating unit 140 may include: welded reinforcing ribs, which are suitably used to strengthen the respective heating unit to resist wind loads, etc.

[0063] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the example shown, sidewall 111 contains three cuboid recesses and three cuboid heating units. However, the specific number, location, shape, and size of the recesses and heating units can be determined independently for each furnace wall.

[0064] According to embodiments of the invention, the furnace can be designed and constructed from the outset to include corresponding recesses and heating units. For example, during the planning or design phase, the load-bearing elements of the corresponding walls can be predetermined as load-bearing structures, for instance, through structural analysis. Based on this structural analysis, the number, location, shape, and size of the recesses and heating units can be determined independently. During the construction phase, the walls can be created accordingly and assembled to build the furnace.

[0065] According to embodiments of the present invention, an existing furnace can be modified to include corresponding recesses and heating units. Structural analysis can be performed to identify the corresponding load-bearing elements of each wall as load-bearing structures. Furthermore, through structural analysis, non-load-bearing sections of each wall can be identified. Based on this structural analysis, the number, location, shape, and size of the recesses and heating units can be determined independently. Then, for example, by removing material or components, recesses can be formed in the corresponding walls, and heating units can be inserted into the recesses.

[0066] This invention allows for the integration of electric heating devices into the furnace wall in a space-saving, low-cost, and low-workload manner. It also allows for the rapid, low-cost, and low-workload maintenance, repair, or replacement of individual heating units, which can be performed under high-safety conditions.

Claims

1. A furnace (100) for performing chemical processes and / or for heating process media, wherein, The furnace (100) includes a plurality of walls (110, 111, 112, 113) that define an internal volume (120) of the furnace (100). In this furnace (100), a plurality of load-bearing elements (211, 212, 213) of at least one wall (111) of the furnace (100) are configured as the load-bearing structure (210) of the furnace (100), wherein the plurality of load-bearing elements (211, 212, 213) include: a first number of horizontally arranged beams (212) and a second number of vertically arranged beams (211, 213), which are interconnected to form a load-bearing frame structure; A plurality of grooves (230) are provided in the at least one wall (111) adjacent to the plurality of load-bearing elements (211, 212, 213) of the load-bearing structure (210), wherein the plurality of grooves (230) are configured as holes located between the beams (211, 212, 213) of the load-bearing frame structure, wherein each groove (230) is surrounded by two horizontally arranged beams (212) and two vertically arranged beams (211, 213); At least one electric heating unit (140) is disposed in the plurality of grooves (230).

2. The furnace according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one electric heating unit (140) is configured as an interchangeable unit.

3. The furnace according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The at least one electric heating unit (140) is fastened by a detachable fastening device.

4. The furnace according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Each electric heating unit (140) includes a heating element and / or a heat insulation element and / or a panel element.

5. The furnace according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Each of the plurality of grooves (230) is positioned in a specific location and / or has a specific shape and / or has a specific size.

6. The furnace according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Each of the plurality of grooves (230) is configured as an opening through the at least one wall (111), in particular an opening that extends completely through the at least one wall (111).

7. The furnace according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The at least one electric heating unit (140) is configured as a non-load-bearing structure of the at least one wall (111) of the furnace (100).

8. A method for constructing a furnace (100) for performing chemical processes and / or for heating process media, the method comprising the steps of: Multiple walls (110, 111, 112, 113) are provided, which define the interior (120) of the furnace (100). The furnace (100) has at least one wall (111) of which a plurality of load-bearing elements (211, 212, 213) are configured as the load-bearing structure of the furnace (100), wherein the plurality of load-bearing elements (211, 212, 213) include: a first number of horizontally arranged beams (212) and a second number of vertically arranged beams (211, 213), which are interconnected to form a load-bearing frame structure; A plurality of grooves (230) are disposed in the at least one wall (111) adjacent to the plurality of load-bearing elements (211, 212, 213) of the load-bearing structure (210), wherein the plurality of grooves (230) are configured as holes located between the beams (211, 212, 213) of the load-bearing frame structure, wherein each of the grooves (230) is surrounded by two horizontally arranged beams (212) and two vertically arranged beams (211, 213); At least one electric heating unit (140) is disposed in the plurality of grooves (230).

9. A method for modifying a furnace (100) used for performing chemical processes and / or for heating process media, wherein, The furnace (100) includes a plurality of walls (110, 111, 112, 113) defining an interior (120) of the furnace (100), and the method includes the following steps: A plurality of load-bearing elements (211, 212, 213) of at least one wall (111) of the furnace (100) are defined as the load-bearing structure of the furnace (100), wherein the plurality of load-bearing elements (211, 212, 213) include: a first number of horizontally arranged beams (212) and a second number of vertically arranged beams (211, 213), which are interconnected to form a load-bearing frame structure; A plurality of grooves (230) are disposed in the at least one wall (111) adjacent to the plurality of load-bearing elements (211, 212, 213) of the load-bearing structure (210), wherein the plurality of grooves (230) are configured as holes located between the beams (211, 212, 213) of the load-bearing frame structure, wherein each of the grooves (230) is surrounded by two horizontally arranged beams (212) and two vertically arranged beams (211, 213); At least one electric heating unit (140) is disposed in the plurality of grooves (230).

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising: Perform structural analysis to determine the location and / or shape and / or size of the plurality of load-bearing elements (211, 212, 213).

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising: Perform structural analysis to determine the specific number of the plurality of grooves (230) and / or the specific location of each groove (231, 232, 233) in the plurality of grooves (230) and / or the specific shape of each groove (231, 232, 233) in the plurality of grooves (230) and / or the specific size of each groove (231, 232, 233) in the plurality of grooves (230).

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