Abstract: In the production of carbon black by the furnace process, fuel and heated combustion air or oxygen enriched air from the combustion air heat exchanger, are fired into the reactor, resulting in a hot flame. Carbonaceous feed stock, injected into this hot flame containing considerable excess oxygen, is pyrolized. The effluent from the reactor reaction zone is quickly cooled, typically by water quench, to prevent secondary reactions that decrease the quality and yield of carbon black. In the present invention, water quench is eliminated and the effluent from the reaction zone passes directly into the metallic combustion airheater, quickly cooling it to stop pyrolysis and heating the combustion air to typically 950 C. The combustion air heater is smaller due to high heat flux per unit volume. Further cooling of the effluent to the carbon black collector, is achieved by series of heat exchangers and trimming water quench.

Abstract: In the production of carbon black by the furnace process, heated process air (or oxygen enriched air) and fuel are fired into the reactor resulting in a flame. Carbonaceous feed stock is injected into this high temperature flame (about 1925 C) containing excess oxygen. The resulting cracking reaction should be arrested quickly (around 1300 C) so that secondary reactions that will decrease the yield of carbon black, do not continue. This quick cooling is typically done by quenching with a water spray. The present invention relates to a process air heater to be located immediately after the reaction stopping quench, (around 1300 C), eliminating additional spray to control downstream equipment, achieving a high heat flux per unit volume and resulting is a smaller process air preheater. Further cooling of the effluent to the carbon black collector, typically a bag filter is achieved by a combination of water spray and heat exchangers.