A ceramic tile plant exhausts 40,000 m3/h of 180 C flue gas from kilns. EN159 recovered that heat with a heat-pipe exchanger to preheat combustion air.
The Challenge
Kiln exhaust at 180 C carried large heat that was wasted. Preheating combustion air would cut fuel use, but the stream carried dust and was too hot for a simple plate core.
Why Heat Pipe Air-to-Air Recovery
Heat pipes tolerate high temperature and separated streams, with no rotating seal to foul. For dusty, hot exhaust, a heat pipe or welded stainless plate is selected; rotary wheels are excluded due to fouling.
The EN159 Solution
EN159 heat-pipe modules, 40,000 m3/h, combustion air preheated from 25 C to 120 C, high-temperature alloy walls, 4 degree tilt.
Measured Results
- Recovered heat: about 1.2 MW
- Combustion air preheated from 25 C to 120 C
- Kiln fuel cut by 19 percent
- Estimated payback: 17 months
Compliance and Selection Notes
Heat-pipe recovery with separated streams and tilt. Rotary wheel excluded for hot, dusty duty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a heat pipe take 180 C exhaust?
Yes, with high-temperature alloy walls and a matched working fluid. Welded stainless plate is an alternative at this range.
Why no rotary wheel?
Kiln dust fouls rotary seals and causes leakage. Separated recovery avoids that.
Related Guides and Tools
Heat Pipe Heat Exchangers · Industrial Dryer Heat Recovery · Industrial Waste Heat Recovery · Kiln Drying Stainless Plate · Kiln Waste Heat Reuse · Contact EN159
Get a Site-Specific Recovery Estimate
Talk to an EN159 application engineer about your ceramic kiln exhaust stream. Call 15753355505 or visit our contact page for a site-specific recovery estimate.