Murano Energy Reduction: An Investigation of Technologies to Reduce Fuel Consumption in Artistic Glass Furnaces

This project, sponsored by the Stazione Sperimentale del Vetro, a research laboratory funded by the glass industry located in Murano, Italy, assessed the technologies available for increasing fuel efficiency in artistic glass furnaces. The project team collected and analyzed data on natural gas consumption and emissions for different technologies and compared it to data from furnaces currently in operation to model the expected savings for each technology. The results show the potential for a 35% increase in efficiency but warrant further studies. The project concludes by recommending a testing procedure to further assess both oxycombustion and recuperative burners.