Radiant Heating Tube Insulation for Furnace Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radiant heating tubes in industrial furnaces face issues with weight distribution and deformation due to heat buildup, leading to structural weaknesses and potential failure at the free longitudinal end, especially when hot combustion exhaust gases are deflected, causing excessive heating and plastic deformation.

Innovation Solution

The inner wall of the radiant heating tube's free longitudinal end is covered with thermal insulation having a thermal conductivity of less than 0.6 W/(m·K), which deflects combustion exhaust gases away from the inner wall, reducing the temperature and preventing deformation, and can be made from high-temperature ceramic wool or refractory materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the free longitudinal end of the radiant heating tube is supported by a tubular extension welded to it, then the weight of the freely hanging end can be absorbed, but the wall temperature increases due to heat buildup, causing plastic deformation and potential failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight absorptionVSAvoidwall temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

A thermally insulating lining is introduced as an intermediary layer between the hot combustion exhaust gases and the inner wall of the radiant heating tube at the free longitudinal end. This lining material (such as ceramic fiber or refractory concrete) has low thermal conductivity and prevents heat transfer to the tube wall, allowing the support structure to bear the weight without the wall temperature reaching plastic deformation levels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermally insulating lining is applied specifically at the free longitudinal end of the radiant heating tube where the weight is absorbed and heat buildup occurs. This localized application addresses the specific problem area without requiring insulation along the entire tube length, maintaining structural integrity while preventing plastic deformation at the critical support point

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If thermal insulation is applied to the inner wall at the free longitudinal end, then the strength increases by 2 to 5 times and plastic deformation is prevented, but the device complexity increases due to additional insulation layer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength at free longitudinal endVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The thermally insulating lining utilizes porous materials such as ceramic fiber or refractory concrete, which provide effective thermal insulation with relatively low density. These porous structures trap air pockets that reduce heat conduction, achieving the required strength increase by preventing plastic deformation while adding minimal structural complexity compared to solid insulation materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution significantly increases the strength of the radiant heating tube by 2 to 5 times, preventing plastic deformation and extending its service life by reducing heat absorption at the attachment points, while maintaining the external dimensions and structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

the inner wall of the radiant heating pipe is covered at least in sections with thermal insulation at the free longitudinal end

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

which is a material with a thermal conductivity of less than 0.6 W/(m·K)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2754958B1Heating radiator tube
Publication Date: 2017.06.21 LOI THERMPROCESS
  • EP2754958B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2754958B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The radiant heating pipe (1) has a tubular body (2) having a central portion (8) and a recycle portion (19) that is arranged next to the central portion, where a free longitudinal end (9), opposite to another longitudinal end (3) of the radiant heating pipe is arranged in a wall (4) of an industrial furnace. The free longitudinal end has an opening (7), where an inner wall (21) of the radiant heating pipe is partially covered at the free longitudinal end with a thermal insulation (22).