Ceramic heat exchanger development history
Since the 1950s, domestic preheaters for heated air have been widely used in industrial furnaces. These early systems primarily relied on heat exchangers in the form of tubular, cylindrical radiant, and cast iron blocks, but they suffered from low efficiency. By the 1980s, new types such as jet flow, jet radiation, and multi-tiered heat exchangers were developed to recover waste heat from medium and low-temperature flue gases. These innovations achieved significant results, especially in recovering heat from flue gases below 100°C, improving overall thermal efficiency. However, at higher temperatures, traditional materials often led to short service life, high maintenance costs, or expensive manufacturing, which limited their widespread use.
At the start of the 21st century, Gongyi City in Henan Province, China, made a breakthrough by developing a silicon carbide ceramic heat exchanger. The production method is similar to that of kiln furniture, with the material exhibiting excellent thermal conductivity and oxidation resistance. This ceramic device is placed near the flue outlet where temperatures are high, without requiring mixing with cold air or additional high-temperature protection. When the furnace temperature ranges between 1250°C and 1450°C, the flue gas temperature can be as high as 1000°C to 1300°C. The ceramic heat exchanger can recover heat up to 450°C to 750°C, which is then sent back into the kiln to mix with fuel gases for combustion. This process significantly reduces production costs and improves economic returns.
Ceramic heat exchangers have become a preferred solution due to their ability to overcome the limitations of metal-based systems, particularly in terms of corrosion and high-temperature resistance. Over time, their performance has proven reliable, offering advantages such as good thermal conductivity, high-temperature strength, strong resistance to oxidation and thermal shock, long service life, minimal maintenance, and stable operation. As a result, they are now considered the best option for recovering heat from high-temperature flue gases.
CCTV reported that this technology marked the first time in China that traditional materials like metals, which are prone to damage under extreme conditions, were replaced with ceramic alternatives. This innovation was included in the National Torch Program and has since revolutionized industrial processes by converting cold air into hot air, boosting efficiency and saving energy. As one of the key technologies for improving energy efficiency, ceramic heat exchangers have broad applications across various industries, making them highly promising for future development.
Today, ceramic heat exchangers are used in major thermal kilns across metallurgy, non-ferrous metals, refractories, chemicals, and construction materials industries. They play a vital role in global efforts to reduce energy consumption and emissions, demonstrating their importance in sustainable industrial practices.
Round Head Rivets,Stainless Steel Rivets,Mushroom Head Rivets,Stainless Steel Round Head Rivets
Kunshan Liyue Hardware Products Co.,Ltd , https://www.fixlyhardware.com