17th International Seminar on Furnace Design 2025
The 17th International Seminar on Furnace Design – Operation & Process Simulation will be held in Velke Karlovice, Czech Republic, on June 18-19, 2025. Join us to explore and exchange on the latest decarbonization technologies for the glass industry.
Join SEFPRO at the 17th International Seminar on Furnace Design
Abstract 1: Regenerator design optimization and monitoring solutions to maximize and maintain furnace energy efficiency
Reducing the carbon footprint of the inherently energy-intensive glass making process is a major challenge. It will require a progressive technology transition, starting from incremental improvements of existing technologies, and heading towards groundbreaking innovation in the long term.
As far as existing technologies are concerned, regenerative furnaces have already made substantial contributions to energy savings in the glass industry. Nevertheless, ongoing efforts by SEFPRO and Glass Service suggest that there is still room for additional reduction in fuel consumption, and hence in CO2 emissions, thanks to the design optimization of high-performance CRUCIFORMS®-based regenerators with the aid of advanced numerical models.
In the first part, this presentation will address the construction of a foundational parameter library for Darcy porous wall approximation, encompassing various CRUCIFORMS® shapes. The library can be utilized for models that seamlessly integrate regenerators with the furnace into a comprehensive and accurate simulation.
Then, we will discuss how checkerpack designs can be fine-tuned to maximize both energy efficiency and durability, based on furnace and regenerator engineering and operating conditions. Concrete examples will illustrate optimized solutions obtained by combining specific CRUCIFORMS® geometries, a proper selection of electrofused materials and the implementation of innovative monitoring solutions to maintain regenerator’s thermal performance at the highest level throughout the furnace lifetime.
Abstract 2: Tank monitoring system to maximize furnace lifetime & avoid major safety events
Reducing the carbon footprint of the inherently energy-intensive glass making process is a major challenge. It will require a progressive technology transition, starting from incremental improvements of existing technologies, and heading towards groundbreaking innovation in the long term.
Hybrid & Electrical furnace technologies are progressively being adopted as the first step along this journey toward decarbonation. Nevertheless, these new technologies bring many technical challenges, refractories corrosion in the melting zone being among the most critical ones. New corrosion profiles and kinetics will be experienced, hence requiring adjustments in material selection, melt tank design and furnace maintenance.
In the first part, this presentation will address the benefits of SEFPRO GUARD® Tank monitoring system to tackle these new challenges. The development history of the solution will be explained, as wells as the advantages it provides today. Then, we will discuss how this tool can be used to assess the corrosion profile of refractory blocks and follow operating trends, allowing to fine tune furnace operation accounting for the new indicators available.
