Furnace users shun oil; alternates pose dilemma

Cost and availability uncertainties for alternatives to imported oil pose problems for industrial furnace users, especially those in the energy-intensive foundry and heat-treating industries. The trend appears to be toward the electric rather than gas or oil-fired furnace because of the chimney heat losses of fuel-fired equipment and because front-end costs for electric furnaces are about the same as for fuel-fired furnaces. Some see evidence of a trend toward gas furnaces, however. A report from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory found no technological reasons to prevent conversion from oil, and felt the decision will be based on economics and fuel availability. Other factors influencing specific industry decisions are personnel training, fuel efficiency at the necessary process temperatures, and the fuel's effect on product quality. Industry efforts to improve furnace efficiency through recuperation and recycling are described.