Mikhail Vorobjev,¹ Vladimir Bobkov,¹ Vladimir Orekhov<sup>1

1</sup>Branch of the National Research University Moscow Power Engineering Institute in Smolensk (Russian Federation)

Abstract

The present study proposes a problem formulation for constructing a mathematical model to optimise the heating control of objects with different thermal properties (i.e. thermally massive and thermally thin) in furnaces. The aim of this is to minimise fuel consumption during the heat treatment of various types of raw materials. The present paper sets out an algorithm for calculating the heating of high-heat-capacity volumetric bodies. This algorithm is comprised of two stages. In the initial phase, the body is subjected to an optimal constant heat flux, resulting in a specified final average temperature. The second stage of the process is to ensure constant heat content, whilst considering fuel consumption. The paper proposes a solution to the problem of heating thin-walled objects, incorporating convective heat transfer in furnaces, heating time, and the type of fuel used to determine the temperature regimes that ensure the specified final temperature with minimum fuel consumption. Research has demonstrated that enhancing the furnace's power capacity results in a decrease in the optimal heating time. The analysis indicates that the rapid heating of thin-walled objects is most effective at elevating specific furnace power. Numerical simulation algorithms have been developed to calculate the optimal thermal power in regenerative and recuperative heating systems. The resulting computational data can be used to develop innovative approaches to furnace design, optimise fuel consumption and improve the control systems for the thermal preparation of ore raw materials. This data will help identify opportunities to reduce fuel costs by optimising furnace operating modes.