About Combustion
Combustion Reports
Combustion Brochure
This brochure provides an overview of the benefits of government and industry partnerships in combustion R&D. (PDF 396 KB) Download Adobe Reader
Energy Use in Mining and Manufacturing
Process heating and steam represent 73% of all energy use in manufacturing and mining. Improved systems can result in large energy savings across U.S. Industries.
Combustion R&D is managed by the Industrial Technologies Program (ITP), within the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. ITP collaborates with the combustion community to identify energy savings opportunities and reduce the energy intensity of U.S. industry. The program works with industry to:
- Develop and maintain a far-reaching vision and roadmap for combustion technology
- Maintain a portfolio of innovative, cross-cutting R&D (of interest to multiple industries)
- Promote advanced combustion technologies and adoption of today's best practices
- Coordinate with other government offices
- Target R&D solicitations to industry needs and savings opportunities
- Perform technical project reviews
- Showcase R&D results
Frequently Asked Questions
The following answers some common questions on how to benefit from advanced combustion technologies and practices, and how to participate in combustion R&D activities.
Q Can my organization get funding for combustion research?
A ITP funds cost-shared research for combustion R&D projects of interest to a range of industries. Projects are selected through a competitive solicitation process and performed by collaborative partnerships. R&D objectives need to be aligned with national priorities as well as industry priorities. Additional solicitations related to combustion are issued by other subprograms within ITP.
Q How can our company justify investing in new combustion systems?
A Potential energy-cost savings are an important part of the justification. Systems incorporating today's best combustion technologies can consume 10 to 25% less fuel than older systems. Upgrading combustion systems can also reduce process failures, downtime, and waste. Improvements in productivity, process control, and quality can far outweigh the energy savings.
Q What improvements in combustion systems yield the biggest potential returns today?
A Inexpensive improvements in your boiler and burner systems can make a real difference in your energy bill. Examples include cleaning boiler water-side heat transfer surfaces, inspecting and repairing steam traps, insulating steam distribution and condensate return lines, and implementing waste heat recovery. For more information, see ITP's Process Heating and Steam Best Practices.
Q How can our company respond to environmental emission regulations and still save energy?
A New, energy-efficient combustion technologies are also environmentally clean. In addition, saving energy directly reduces environmental emissions.