It is the second project for the Korean glass container maker to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency and productivity by moving from air-fuel combustion to the oxy-fuel method.
In 2010, the Korean government enforced an environmental regulation, with a mid-term target to reduce emissions by 30%.
In April that year, Techpack Solutions trialed Air Products’ Cleanfire oxy-fuel burners at one of its existing air-fuel furnaces and decided to fully convert one furnace to the oxy-fuel technology in 2011.
Air Products has also supplied other container glass producers in Europe and North America whose products are used by the F&B market, such as O-I.
Technology use for glassmakers
Air Products said oxygen enrichment and oxy-fuel technology can help glassmakers increase production, lower fuel costs, reduce emissions, and improve operations with minimal capital investment.
The firms’ integrated oxy-fuel solution includes its Cleanfire oxy-fuel burners, on-site gas generation system and oxygen supply, gas flow control skid, start-up assistance, on-site training, furnace design consultation, and technical support
The company will also install a PRISM vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) oxygen generator to supply reliable and economical on-site oxygen used to power the oxy-fuel burners for melting glass.
It said on-site gas generation is often the best supply option for medium to large oxygen requirements. Power-efficient VSA and cryogenic oxygen generators offer flexible on-site supply.
Techpack Solutions is a South Korean packaging provider and claims to be the largest manufacturer of glass bottles for the domestic and worldwide markets.
The company makes glass containers for the food, drink and medical industries.
Young-Min Kim, technical team general manager of Techpack Solutions, said it was pleased to continue working with Air Products to convert another furnace.
"We have experienced a successful full conversion from air-fuel combustion to Air Products' integrated oxy-fuel solution to realize the environmental, operational and productivity benefits.”
Benefits of oxy-fuel technology
Air Products said oxy-fuel combustion technology can reduce the formation of nitrogen oxide (NOx), which is harmful to the environment.
Oxygen is required for any combustion process and by full oxy-fuel combustion, flame temperature rises, heat transfer rates improve, and overall combustion efficiency increases.
The firm said operational benefits provided by oxygen are maximized with full conversion, including increased production, decreased fuel consumption and emissions, improved glass quality, reduced maintenance, and extended life of a furnace.
Based on customer results after months of operation with full oxy-fuel versus previous experience and performance with air-fuel in the past 15 years, the firm claims the technology is proven to bring benefits such as over 50% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions.
They said it also leads to 10-20% in energy savings, about 25% increase in productivity, reduction of capital, and improvement in efficiency and glass quality.
Kyo-Yung Kim, president of Air Products Korea, said South Korea has been transitioning towards low-carbon, sustainable development under the government's green growth strategy.
“Our proven success with Techpack Solutions and many other customers worldwide speaks volumes about Air Products' commitment and ability to help Korean glass makers improve both their environmental footprint and competitiveness."