EP4022237A1

EP4022237A1 - Furnace and method for operating a furnace

Info

Publication number: EP4022237A1
Application number: EP20765213.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Detlef Maiwald; Frank Heinke
Original assignee: Innovatherm Prof Dr Leisenberg GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Innovatherm Prof Dr Leisenberg GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2019-08-28
Filing date: 2020-08-19
Publication date: 2022-07-06
Also published as: AU2020339655A1; CA3149393A1; WO2021037622A1; US20220381512A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and to a control device for operating a furnace (10), in particular an anode furnace, wherein the furnace is formed from a plurality of heating ducts (12) and furnace chambers (13), wherein the furnace chambers serve for receiving carbon-containing products, in particular anodes, and the heating ducts serve for controlling the temperature of the furnace chambers, wherein the furnace comprises at least one furnace unit (11), wherein the furnace unit comprises a heating zone (18), a firing zone (19) and a cooling zone (20), which for their part are formed from at least one section (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42) comprising furnace chambers, wherein, of the furnace unit, an extraction ramp (15) is arranged in a section of the heating zone and a burner ramp (16) is arranged in a section of the firing zone, wherein process air in the heating ducts of the firing zone is heated by means of the burner ramp and exhaust gas from the heating ducts of the heating zone is extracted by means of the extraction ramp, wherein operation of the ramps is controlled by means of a control device of the furnace unit, wherein an amount of fuel of the burner ramp is determined by means of the control device and wherein, for at least one section, a ratio of the combustion air and the amount of fuel is determined by means of the control device.

Description

Kiln and method of operating a kiln

The invention relates to a method for operating a furnace, in particular an anode furnace, a control device for a furnace and a furnace, the furnace being formed from a plurality of heating channels and furnace chambers, the furnace chambers for receiving carbon-containing bodies, in particular anodes, and The heating channels are used to control the temperature of the furnace chambers, the furnace comprising at least one furnace unit, the furnace unit comprising a heating zone, a fire zone and a cooling zone, which in turn are formed from at least one section comprising furnace chambers, with one section of the heating zone

Suction ramp and a burner ramp of the furnace unit is arranged in a section of the fire zone, process air in the heating channels of the fire zone being heated by means of the burner ramp and exhaust gas being sucked out of the heating channels of the heating zone by means of the suction ramp, operation of the ramps being controlled by a control device of the furnace unit .

The present method and the device are used, for example, in the production of anodes which are required for the melt flow electrolysis for the production of primary aluminum. These anodes or carbon-containing bodies are made from petroleum coke with the addition of pitch as a binding agent in a molding process called “green anodes” or “raw anodes”, which are then sintered in an anode kiln or kiln after the molding process. This sintering process takes place in a defined heat treatment process in which the anodes go through three phases, namely a heating phase, a sintering phase and a cooling phase. The raw anodes are located in a heating zone of a "fire" composed of the heating zone, a fire zone and a cooling zone and are preheated by the waste heat from the fire zone from already sintered carbon-containing bodies before the preheated anodes are in the fire zone be heated to the sintering temperature of about 1200 ° Celsius. According to the prior art, as it is known for example from WO 2013/044968 A1, the various aforementioned zones are defined by an alternating continuous arrangement of different units above furnace chambers or heating channels that accommodate the anodes.

By positioning a burner device or one or more so-called burner ramps above selected Ofenkam numbers or heating channels, the fire zone is defined, which is arranged between the heating zone and the cooling zone. In the cooling zone there are anodes that were burned immediately beforehand, i.e. heated to sintering temperature. A fan device or a so-called cooling ramp is arranged above the cooling zone, by means of which air is blown into the heating channels of the cooling zone. The air is through a suction device arranged above the heating zone or a so-called suction ramp through the heating channels from the cooling zone through the Feuerzo ne into the heating zone and from there as flue gas or exhaust gas passed through a flue gas cleaning system and released into the environment. The suction ramp and the burner ramp together with the cooling ramp and the heating channels form a furnace unit.

The aforementioned units are moved along the heating channels in the direction of the raw anodes arranged in the furnace at regular intervals. It can thus be provided that a furnace comprises several furnace units, the units of which are shifted one after the other above the furnace chambers or heating channels for the subsequent heat treatment of the raw anodes or anodes. With such anode kilns, which can be designed in different designs as open or closed ring kilns, there is the problem that a volume flow of the process air or exhaust gases passed through the kiln cannot be measured directly and only with great effort. This is to ensure that sufficient oxygen is available to burn a fuel of the burner device in the heating channels of the furnace.

Since direct volume flow measurement is not possible due to the structural design of the heating ducts, the volume flow is determined indirectly by evaluating pressure and temperature measurements on the heating ducts and actuating signals from a process controller. As an alternative, an attempt is made to determine the volume flow by means of an indirect measurement, for example a pressure measurement in the heating duct and its ratio to a suction power of the suction ramp, as described in more detail in WO 2013/044968 A1. Even with a more precise determination of the volume flow, however, proper functioning of the kiln in accordance with a desired or optimal firing curve cannot be ensured if, for example, a heating duct cover is opened or improperly closed, or a heating duct is clogged or blocked.

In practice, therefore, a volume flow evaluation is carried out by trained furnace personnel as part of a furnace tour and / or by a Evaluation of status information of a process control carried out at regular intervals. If a malfunction of the furnace is detected, for example caused by a disproportion between volume flow and fuel, this malfunction is then eliminated manually by the furnace personnel or the ratio of volume flow or process air and fuel is adjusted accordingly. Since a furnace tour is carried out at intervals of up to four hours, for example, dangerous operating states of the furnace, which can lead to deflagrations, fires or explosions, may not be recognized in good time.

The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a method for operating a kiln and a control device for a kiln with which the operation of the kiln can be improved.

This object is achieved by a method with the features of claim 1, a control device with the features of claim 20 and a furnace with the features of claim 21.

In the method according to the invention for operating a furnace, in particular anode furnace, the furnace is formed from a plurality of heating channels and furnace chambers, the furnace chambers serving to hold carbon-containing bodies, in particular anodes, and the heating channels serving to control the temperature of the furnace chambers, the furnace being at least one Furnace unit, the furnace unit comprising a heating zone, a fire zone and a cooling zone, which in turn are formed from at least one section comprising furnace chambers, a suction ramp being arranged in one section of the heating zone and a burner ramp of the furnace unit being arranged in a section of the fire zone, whereby combustion air or process air is heated in the heating channels of the fire zone by means of the burner ramp and hot air or exhaust gas is sucked out of the heating channels of the heating zone by means of the suction ramp, with the ramps operating by means of a control device of the furnace unit is controlled, wherein by means of the control device, a fuel quantity of the burner ramp is determined, where a ratio of combustion air or process air and fuel quantity is determined by means of the control device for at least one section.

A fuel, such as gas or oil, is regularly burned with the burner ramp or burners of the burner ramp, preferably several burner ramps. In relation to a time segment, the control device then determines an amount of fuel that is consumed or burned by the burner ramp in the time segment. The amount of fuel consumed by the burner ramp or a primary amount of fuel can be determined, for example, by measurement, by a quantity counter or the like. Furthermore, the control device can be used to determine a quantity of process air in at least one section, preferably in several or all sections of the heating zone and the fire zone. This determination can be determined in a variety of ways, for example by measuring pressures or positions of throttle valves in relation to a period of time. According to the invention it is now provided that a ratio of process air and fuel quantity is determined by means of the control device for at least one section, preferably within the same time segment. By determining the ratio, which can easily be calculated mathematically or mathematically, for example with a computer program product of the control device, it is possible to determine whether the ratio corresponds to or deviates from a presupposed operating state of the furnace or a firing curve. In the event of a deviation, too much or too little fuel or process air can lead to critical operating stocks of the kiln. This deviation can be signaled by the control device, for example, in order to inform the furnace personnel, so that the furnace personnel can search for errors or make manual adjustments in a manner deviating from regular furnace tours of the relationship can make. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the control device automatically sets the assumed ratio or regulates the specific ratio of process air and fuel quantity according to the assumed ratio. If a safe operating state cannot be established, the furnace can be put into a safe operating state by switching off the primary fuel supply. Overall, an improved operation of the kiln can be ensured while avoiding dangerous operating states. In particular, high emissions and fuel consumption can also be avoided.

By means of the control device, a ratio of process air and fuel quantity can be calculated for all sections of the heating zone and / or the fire zone, preferably for all sections of the kiln. This then essentially ensures complete monitoring of the respective zones or of the entire furnace with regard to undesired operating states. Furthermore, it is then also possible to set the ratio of process air and fuel quantity in the various sections in a more targeted manner, in particular since the sections are connected to one another in a series connection, so that a ratio of process air and fuel quantity in one flow direction is shared across subsequent sections The operating condition of the furnace.

A primary fuel quantity of the burner ramp can be determined by means of the control device, whereby a secondary fuel quantity of the heating zone and / or the burner zone depending on at least one material property of the anodes or carbon-containing bodies can be determined by means of the control device. The primary fuel quantity can be, for example, a fuel quantity of gas, natural gas, oil or the like that is consumed by the burner ramp or ramps within a period of time. The secondary amount of fuel can be an amount of fuel, for example be of pitch, which is contained in the carbonaceous bodies or raw anodes. Pitch is regularly used as a binder in a molding process of raw anodes. The pitch or pitch distillate can be released at a temperature between 200 ° C and 600 ° C. Depending on the material composition of the carbon-containing body or the anode, it contains a more or less large amount of pitch, which is known in principle. Depending on the temperature of the respective anode or its heating behavior, a more or less large amount of pitch distillate can be released, which burns in the fire zone. This secondary fuel quantity of pitch distillate or other substances contained in the raw anodes that can be used as fuel results in a change in the ratio of fuel quantity and process air. In this respect, it is advantageous if the control device can determine the secondary fuel quantity. According to a particularly simple embodiment, this determination can take place, for example, via an amount of pitch present in the raw anodes. For example, the secondary fuel quantity can be continuously determined by determining the heating of the carbon-containing products and a dependent release of combustible components using a thermodynamic calculation model.

The primary fuel quantity can be calculated by means of the control device as a function of a temperature measured in the heating channel of the fire zone. In this respect, it is then no longer necessary to carry out a quantity of fuel using quantity counters, which then do not have to be available. In principle, it is still possible to determine the primary fuel quantity by directly recording pulse times for an oil or gas injection from individual burners. Since a temperature in the heating channel of the fire zone is measured in any case in order to operate a burner ramp, this temperature can advantageously be used by the control device to calculate the primary amount of fuel. This calculation can be done, for example, by using based on empirical values for fuel consumption at certain temperatures measured in the fire zone. The calculation can be based on a mathematical function of the primary fuel quantity and the temperature. The secondary fuel quantity in the heating zone can be calculated or estimated as a function of a loss of mass, degree of coking and / or a temperature of the anodes or carbon-containing bodies. As a result, the secondary fuel amount can be calculated by the control device using a mathematical model. A heat content or a temperature of the carbon-containing bodies has an influence on the release of, for example, pitch distillates, so that with a known material property of the carbon-containing bodies, for example a mass fraction of pitch, the duration of the carbon-containing bodies in the kiln, a temperature level of the carbon-containing bodies during this Time segment, so that a degree of coking and thus also a loss of mass, a proportion of the primary fuel quantity released by the carbon-containing bodies in a time segment can be calculated by means of the control device. A direct measurement of the temperature of carbon-containing bodies in different sections can be carried out.

The direct measurement of a temperature can also be carried out on individual carbon-containing bodies as a reference measurement.

The control device can store these measured values and recalculate them depending on the position of a carbon-containing body or an anode in a section or zone for the carbon-containing body, so that a degree of coking and thus one of the carbon-containing bodies is generated by the control device for the respective carbon-containing body Body represented secondary fuel quantity can be continuously adjusted. The control device can calculate the temperature of the carbonaceous bodies. In addition to a direct measurement of the temperature of the Anodes or carbon-containing bodies using sensors or other measuring devices, the control device can also calculate the temperature of the carbon-containing bodies using a mathematical model. This calculation can take place taking into account the temperatures measured by the control device in the heating ducts of the kiln. The respective temperature can also be measured on the suction ramp, on the burner ramp and in heating channels in other sections. The control device can then calculate the temperature of the respective carbon-containing bodies from these temperatures of the kiln, which are then measured essentially at the same time. This calculation can be carried out taking into account other operating parameters of the kiln. The calculation can also be carried out on the basis of empirical values, which are represented, for example, by mathematical functions. A direct measurement of the temperature of the carbon-containing bodies is then no longer necessary during normal operation of the kiln.

The control device can calculate a total amount of fuel from the primary amount of fuel and the secondary amount of fuel. In particular, this makes it possible to determine even more precisely the amount of fuel that is burned in the area of the burner ramp and is composed of the primary amount of fuel and the amount of secondary fuel. In this way, the quantities of fuel that are fed to the heating ducts in the heating zone and in the fire zone can be determined more precisely, whereby the required ratios of these quantities of fuel to a residual oxygen contained in the exhaust gas can be determined for optimal combustion. As a result, a ratio of process air and amount of fuel can also be determined more precisely.

By means of the control device, a volume flow of the sections between the suction ramp and the cooling ramp can be determined on the basis of a pressure measured in the heating duct or other physical variables in the heating duct. can be determined. This volume flow can be calculated by the control device using a mathematical model. For example, a pressure in the heating duct can be measured in each section and at the exit of the fire zone.

The control device can be used to determine the volume flow in the heating channel from a ratio of suction power and pressure in the suction ramp and a ratio of suction power and pressure in the heating channel. The respective ratios can be formed separately from one another and the volume flow can be derived from them.

A respective pressure can be set in a plurality of heating channels in relation to the pressure in the suction ramp. If the pressure in the individual sections is known, a volume flow can also be determined individually for individual heating channels, the pressure in the sections being set in relation to the pressure in the Absau grampe. Since a pressure deviation in one heating channel affects the pressures in the other heating channels or sections, a changed volume flow can be determined or calculated with a relative reference to the pressure measured in the suction ramp.

The control device can be used to determine the suction power of the suction ramp by determining a flap position of a throttle valve of the suction ramp. A cross section of a suction channel can be varied by adjusting the throttle valve, so that the suction capacity of the suction ramp depends, among other things, on the set cross section of the suction channel. If a throttle valve or a similar device of this type is used, a suction power can therefore be inferred from a valve position, for example indicated in angular degrees relative to the suction channel. A flap position can be determined particularly easily and precisely, for example by means of a rotary potentiometer or rotary encoder. It is particularly advantageous if the volume flow in the heating channel of the heating zone and / or the fire zone is determined. Since there may be volume flow differences caused by the combustion process, these can be taken into account in this way. In this way, a volume flow in the heating channel of the aforementioned zones can be determined separately from each other. This enables a differentiated view of the operating status in the respective zones of the kiln.

The volume flow can also be determined more precisely if a change in density of air in the heating channel is calculated from a temperature gradient across the respective sections or heating channels and the temperature, and this change in density is taken into account when determining the volume flow. A calculation of the volume flow can therefore be corrected by a correction factor which can be derived from a calculation of the change in density based on the temperature gradient and temperature.

Furthermore, an enthalpy flow of the sections can be determined by means of the control device. The enthalpy current can also be calculated by the control device using a mathematical model. The enthalpy flow can easily be calculated via a ratio of a respective pressure and a respective volume flow in a plurality of heating channels.

A consistency of volume flow and enthalpy flow can be calculated by means of the control device, with possible false air quantities in the heating ducts being able to be determined on the basis of the calculation. If the volume flow and the enthalpy flow deviate from an assumed ratio, this can indicate a possible malfunction. It can be provided that on the basis of the comparative calculation of volume flow and enthalpy flow by means of the control device, a respective amount of false air is determined for the respective heating ducts. The amount of false air can be caused, for example, by improperly closed heating duct covers. Cracks or at least partially clogged heating channels result. The amount of false air can be calculated by the control device using a mathematical model. The amount of false air can be calculated iteratively, for example, on the basis of empirical values that are represented by mathematical functions.

Furthermore, the control device can be used to determine an amount of air introduced into the heating ducts and any amounts of false air. The amount of air introduced into the heating ducts can, for example, be determined in the area of the cooling zone on, for example, a blower ramp. The amount of air at the blower ramp can be determined by determining a flap position of a throttle flap. A cross section of an intake duct can be varied by adjusting the throttle valve, so that the amount of air introduced into the heating ducts depends, among other things, on the set cross section of the intake duct. If a throttle valve or similar device of this type is used, it is therefore possible to draw conclusions about a suction power or air volume from a flap position, for example indicated in angular degrees relative to the intake duct. The air volume can be used by the control device to calculate the volume flow. Alternatively, the amount of air introduced can be determined by measuring the pressure in the heating ducts between the blower ramp and the burner ramp. It is also possible to determine the amount of air introduced using the speed of fans.

By means of the control device, a total volume flow can be determined from the volume flow, a fuel volume flow and the amount of false air. The total volume flow or the amount of air introduced and the amount of false air and a volume of the amount of fuel then represent the process air made available in a time segment, in particular oxygen for the amount of fuel used in the time segment. The fuel volume flow results by the volume of the amount of fuel used in the process air. If a primary fuel quantity and a secondary fuel quantity are known, a primary fuel volume flow and a secondary fuel volume flow can be taken into account when determining the total volume flow. The ratio of process air and fuel quantity can thus be determined even more precisely.

The volume flow and / or the enthalpy flow can be corrected by the control device. This correction of the calculated volume flow or enthalpy flow can take place by including further operating parameters, for example an incorrect air volume or other measurement data.

By means of the control device, the volume flow, preferably of the sections and / or the suction ramp, and / or the cooling ramp, and / or an amount of air introduced can be adjusted in such a way that a set ratio of process air and the primary fuel amount and / or or secondary fuel amount, preferably the total amount of fuel, can be achieved. The control device can calculate an actual ratio of process air and fuel quantity and regulate it by adapting the introduced air quantity according to the target ratio. For this purpose, the control device can have one or more controllers, for example PID controllers. In this way, it can be ensured at any time that the ratio of process air and fuel quantity does not deviate to such an extent that dangerous operating conditions arise. A state that is optimal for combustion of the different fuels can also be set.

This adaptation can take place by regulating the volume flow on the suction ramp and / or the cooling ramp by means of the control device. This regulation of the volume flow can be achieved by actuating throttle valves on the suction ramp and / or the cooling ramp. The scheme can be on a motorized basis Acting drive of the throttle valve or the throttle valve, so that the volume flow is influenced.

Furthermore, the primary fuel quantity introduced can be adapted by means of the control device in such a way that a target ratio of process air and the total fuel quantity specified in the control device can be achieved. Consequently, it is also possible to regulate an actual ratio of process air and total fuel quantity by metering the fuel quantity on the burner ramp. The regulation of the primary fuel quantity can take place in connection with regulation of the volume flow, wherein the control device can then also form a cascade regulation.

The control device according to the invention is designed to operate a furnace, in particular an anode furnace, the furnace being formed from a plurality of heating channels and furnace chambers, the furnace chambers being used to accommodate bodies containing carbon, in particular anodes, and the heating channels being used to temper the furnace chambers, wherein the furnace comprises at least one furnace unit, wherein the furnace unit comprises a heating zone, a firing zone and a cooling zone, which in turn are formed from at least one section comprising furnace chambers, a suction ramp in one section of the heating zone and a burner ramp of the furnace unit in a section of the fire zone is arranged, wherein process air in the heating channels of the fire zone can be heated by means of the burner ramp and exhaust gas can be extracted from the heating channels of the Aufheizzo ne by means of the suction ramp, the operation of the ramps being controllable by means of the control device of the furnace unit, whereby d he control device, a fuel quantity of the burner ramp can be determined, wherein a ratio of process air and fuel quantity can be determined by means of the control device for at least one section. Regarding the advantages of the control device according to the invention, reference is made to the description of the advantages of the method according to the invention. Further advantageous embodiments of a control device can be found in the description of features of the dependent claims which refer back to the method claim 1.

The furnace according to the invention, in particular the anode furnace, comprises a control device according to the invention. Further embodiments of a kiln emerge from the feature descriptions of the dependent claims which refer back to process claim 1.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Show it:

1 shows a schematic representation of a kiln in a perspective view;

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a furnace unit of the Brenno fens in a longitudinal sectional view;

3 shows a temperature distribution in the furnace unit;

Fig. 4 shows a representation of the furnace unit from Fig. 2 with a flow chart from for an embodiment of the method for operating a furnace. 1 and 2 shows a schematic presen- tation of an anode furnace or furnace 10 with a furnace unit 11. The furnace 10 has a plurality of heating channels 12 which run parallel along furnace chambers 13 located between them. The furnace chambers 13 serve to accommodate anodes or carbon-containing bodies, which are not shown here. The heating channels 12 meander in the longitudinal direction of the furnace 10 and have heating channel openings 14 at regular intervals are each covered with a heating duct cover not shown here.

The furnace unit 11 further comprises a suction ramp 15, one or more burner ramps 16 and a cooling ramp 17. Their position on the furnace 10 defines a heating zone 18, a fire zone 19 and a cooling zone 20 depending on the function. carbon-containing body, the furnace unit 11 is moved relative to the furnace chambers 13 or the carbon-containing body by relocating the suction ramp 15, the burner ramps 16 and the cooling ramp 17 in the longitudinal direction of the furnace 10, so that all the anodes or bodies containing carbon in the anode furnace 10 Pass through zones 18 to 20.

The suction ramp 15 is essentially formed from a collecting channel 21, which is connected via an annular channel 22 to an exhaust gas cleaning system (not shown here). The collecting duct 21 is in turn connected to a heating duct opening 14 via a connecting duct 23, a throttle valve 24 being arranged on the connecting duct 23 here. Furthermore, a measured value sensor (not shown here) for measuring pressure within the collecting duct 21 and a further measuring value sensor 25 for measuring temperature in each heating duct 12 are arranged immediately in front of the collecting duct 21 and connected to it via a data line 26. In addition, a measuring ramp 27 with measured value sensors 28 for each heating channel 12 is arranged in the heating zone 18. A pressure and a temperature in the relevant section of the heating channel 12 can be determined by means of the measuring ramp 27.

In the fire zone 19, three burner ramps 16 with burners 30 and transducers 31 are set up for each heating channel 12. The burners 30 each burn a flammable fuel in the heating duct 12, a burner temperature being measured by means of the measured value sensor 31. will sen. This makes it possible to set a desired burner temperature in the area of the fire zone 19.

The cooling zone 20 comprises the cooling ramp 17, which is formed from a feed channel 32 with respective connection channels 33 and throttle valves 34 for connection to the heating channels 12. Fresh air is blown into the heating channels 12 via the supply channel 32. The fresh air cools the heating ducts 12 or the anodes or carbon-containing bodies located in the furnace chambers 13 in the region of the cooling zone 20, the fresh air being heated continuously until it reaches the fire zone 19. 3 shows a diagram of the temperature distribution based on the length of the heating channel 12 and the zones 18 to 20. Furthermore, a measuring ramp 35 or a so-called zero pressure ramp with measured value sensors 36 is arranged in the cooling zone 20. The transducers 36 serve to detect a pressure in the respective heating ducts 12. In the area of the transducers 36, the pressure in the heating duct 12 essentially assumes the value 0, with an overpressure between the transducers 36 and the cooling ramp 17 and between the transducers 36 and the suction ramp 15 creates a negative pressure in the heating channels 12. As a result, the fresh air flows from the cooling ramp 17 through the heating channels 12 to the suction ramp 15. The ramps 15 to 17 are each arranged in sections 37 to 42, with the sections 37 to 42 each being formed from heating channel sections 12. Sections adjoining the sections 37 to 42 are not shown here in more detail in the interests of simplifying the figure.

4 shows the furnace unit 11 already shown in FIG. 2 with an exemplary process sequence for operating the kiln 10. In particular, operation of the suction ramp 15, the burner ramp 16 and the cooling ramp 17 by means of a control device of the furnace unit, not shown here 11 controlled, the control device at least one device for data processing device, for example a programmable logic controller or a computer, with which a computer program product or at least software is executed. By means of the control device, a ratio of process air and fuel quantity is determined for at least one of the sections 37 to 42.

A primary fuel quantity of the burner ramps 16 is determined in a method step 43 by means of the control device. Furthermore, a temperature of the anodes or carbon-containing bodies (not shown here) is calculated in a method step 44 by means of the control device. This can also be done by measuring a temperature via measuring ramp 27 and / or measuring ramp 35. Furthermore, a secondary fuel quantity of the heating zone 18 is calculated by means of the control device as a function of at least one material property of the anodes or carbon-containing bodies, in particular a temperature, in a method step 45. In a method step 46, the control device calculates a total fuel amount from the primary fuel amount and the secondary fuel amount.

In a method step 47, the control device also calculates a volume flow in the sections 37 to 42 or the suction ramp 15 on the basis of a pressure measured in the heating channel 12 The ratio of suction power and pressure in the heating channel 12 can be determined by the control device. In method step 47, an enthalpy flow is calculated in sections 37 to 42. In a method step 48, the control device determines a consistency of volume flow and enthalpy flow, with the control device determining any false air quantities in the heating ducts 12 on the basis of a calculation . Any false air volumes are from the control device for correcting the volume flow in procedural step 47 is used.

In method step 49, the control device calculates a ratio of the amount of air introduced or of process air and the total amount of fuel from the volume flow from method step 47 and the total amount of fuel from method step 46. Furthermore, a setpoint ratio of process air and the total amount of fuel is specified in the control device, so that the ratios are compared in method step 49. The control device now uses the comparison to regulate the volume flow on the suction ramp 15 by adjusting the throttle valve 24 with an actuator 50 in such a way that the desired setpoint ratio of process air and fuel quantity is set. The primary fuel quantity introduced to regulate the ratio can also be influenced via the control device. Overall, it can thus be ensured at all times that no dangerous operating states occur due to the ratio of process air and fuel quantity, with the operation of the furnace 10 also being able to be optimized.

Claims

1. A method for operating a kiln (10), in particular an anode kiln, wherein the kiln consists of a plurality of

Heating channels (12) and furnace chambers (13) is formed, the furnace chambers for receiving carbon-containing bodies, in particular special anodes, and the heating channels are used to control the temperature of the furnace chambers, the furnace comprising at least one furnace unit (11), the furnace unit being a Heating zone (18), a Feuerzo ne (19) and a cooling zone (20), which in turn form at least one section (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42) comprising furnace chambers, with the heating zone in one section a suction ramp (15) and a burner ramp (16) of the furnace unit is arranged in a section of the fire zone, with process air being heated in the heating channels of the fire zone by means of the burner ramp and exhaust gas is sucked out of the heating channels of the heating zone by means of the suction ramp, with a Operation of the ramps is controlled by means of a control device of the furnace unit, characterized in that a fuel quantity of the burner ramp is determined by means of the control device is elt, whereby by means of the control device A ratio of process air and fuel quantity is determined for at least one section.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that by means of the control device for all sections (37, 38, 39,

40, 41, 42) of the heating zone (18) and / or the fire zone (19), preferably for all sections of the kiln (10), a ratio of process air and amount of fuel is calculated.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a primary fuel quantity of the burner ramp (16) is determined by means of the control device, a secondary fuel quantity of the heating zone (18) and / or the burner zone (19) as a function of the control device at least one material property of the carbon-containing body is determined.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the primary fuel quantity is calculated by means of the control device as a function of a temperature measured in the Heizka channel (12) of the fire zone (19).

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the secondary amount of fuel in the heating zone (18) is calculated as a function of a loss of mass, degree of coking and / or a temperature of the carbonaceous body.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the control device calculates a temperature of the body containing carbon.

7. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the control device calculates a total amount of fuel from the primary amount of fuel and the amount of secondary fuel.

8. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that a volume flow of the Sektio NEN (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42) between the suction ramp (15) and the cooling ramp (17) based on the control device a pressure measured in the heating channel (12) or other physical quantities in the heating channel is determined.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the control device is used to determine the volume flow in the heating channel from a ratio of suction power and pressure in the suction ramp (15) and a ratio of suction power and pressure in the heating channel (12).

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that a respective pressure in a plurality of heating channels (12) is set in relation to the pressure in the suction ramp (15).

11. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the control device is used to determine the suction power of the suction ramp (15) by determining a flap position of a throttle valve (24) of the suction ramp.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that an enthalpy flow of the sec-tions (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42) is determined by means of the control device.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that a consistency of volume flow and enthalpy flow is calculated by means of the control device, with possible false air quantities of the heating ducts (12) being determined on the basis of the calculation.

14. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that an amount of air introduced into the heating ducts (12) and any amounts of false air are determined by means of the control device.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that a total volume flow is determined by means of the control device from the volume flow, a fuel volume flow and the false air quantity.

16. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 15, characterized in that the control device corrects the volume flow and / or the enthalpy flow.

17. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 16, characterized in that by means of the control device, the volume flow, preferably the sections (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42) and / or the Absaugram pe (15), and / or the cooling ramp (17) and / or an introduced amount of air is adjusted in such a way that a set ratio of process air and the primary fuel amount and / or secondary fuel amount, preferably the total fuel amount, specified in the control device is achieved.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that this adaptation is carried out by regulating the volume flow on the suction ramp (15) and / or the cooling ramp (17) by means of the control device.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that by means of the control device, the introduced primary fuel quantity is adjusted in such a way that a predetermined ratio of process air and the total fuel quantity is achieved in the control device.

20. Control device for operating a furnace (10), in particular an anode furnace, wherein the furnace is formed from a plurality of heating channels (12) and furnace chambers (13), the furnace chambers for receiving carbonaceous bodies, in particular anodes, and the heating channels are used to control the temperature of the furnace chambers, the furnace comprising at least one furnace unit (11), the furnace unit comprising a heating zone (18), a fire zone (19) and a cooling zone (23), which in turn consist of at least a section (37, 38, 39, 40,

41, 42) are formed, with a suction ramp (15) in one section of the heating zone and a burner ramp (16) of the furnace unit in a section of the fire zone, with process air in the heating channels of the fire zone being heated by means of the burning ramp and by means of the Suction ramp Exhaust gas can be sucked out of the heating channels of the Aufheizzo ne, with operation of the ramps being controllable by means of the control device of the furnace unit, characterized in that the control device can be used to determine a fuel quantity of the burner ramp, with a ratio for at least one section by means of the control device can be determined by process air and fuel quantity.

21. Kiln, in particular anode kiln, with a control device according to claim 20.