Thermal Unit with Controlled Distribution of Flow Speeds of Processed Raw Materials in Zones of Electrified Modules

The article reviews the possibility of thermal treatment of vermiculite concentrates in thermal units of the modular-launch type after the defects of the units appeared during operation were fixed. It was observed that the temperatures of the electric heaters and the refractory surface of the firing modules distribute unevenly horizontally: the temperatures decreased significantly from center to periphery. This feature showed a technical solution — the division of the total flow of the expanded vermiculite into local and controlled flows between the thermal zones of the furnace modules taking into account their temperatures. The required time for particles movement in each thermal zone was determined, as well as average local speeds of their movement in the indicated zones were by comparing the thermal capacities of local vermiculate flows. The calculations of local flow rates were carried out and the total productivity of the modernized furnace was determined. The productivity of modernized furnace is 24% higher than the prototype furnace. It is shown that with an increase in productivity but equal to electricity consumption, the specific energy consumption of firing processes decreases by the same 24%. It makes the furnace more perfect and competitive.