Process with which process heat is provided for thermo-metallurgical or thermo-physical applications with at least one burner

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This patent describes a method for providing process heat in thermo-metallurgical or thermo-physical applications by operating at least one burner with ammonia and oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas mixture. The invention replaces traditional fossil fuels (such as natural gas) with ammonia as the fuel source, enabling CO2-free heat generation. Existing industrial furnaces can be adapted by retrofitting burners to use ammonia, with process safety and efficiency ensured through specific preheating and burner control methodologies.

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• Metal melting and holding in industrial furnaces (such as shaft, crucible, and hearth furnaces) for steel, aluminum, and non-ferrous alloys
• Industrial heat treatment of metal parts using gas-heated treatment furnaces
• Gl ass, ceramics, and refractory material production that relies on high-temperature furnaces
• Cement manufacturing processes requiring high-temperature combustion
• Retrofitting of existing gas-fired industrial ovens for sustainable, low-emission operation
• Decarbonization projects in heavy industry aiming to eliminate direct CO2 emissions from process heat

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Eliminates direct CO2 emissions during heat generation, supporting decarbonization goals
• Allows continued use of existing, investment-heavy furnace infrastructure with minimal modifications
• Reduces dependence on hard-to-store or transport fuels like hydrogen, as ammonia is easier and safer to handle and store
• Enables a rapid and cost-effective transition to climate-neutral industrial processes
• Facilitates long-term and large-scale energy storage due to ammonia's favorable storage characteristics
• Mitigates the need for expensive grid infrastructure upgrades, since ammonia can be transported and stored independently
• Supports compliance with stringent government regulations and future-proofing of industrial operations

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Patent Abstract

The method according to the invention provides process heat for thermo-metallurgical or thermo-physical applications, using at least one burner, the at least one burner being operated at least to some extent with ammonia and oxygen or with an oxygen-containing gas mixture.