Ann: CDP Advances as Heat Exchanger Installed, page-75

As a designer, builder and operator of kilns and ovens, I have a pretty good understanding of temperature, heat loss, fuel economy and refractory material characteristics, although my understanding of the Hazer reactor may nor be correct, so anyone with more knowledge on the subject please correct me.

The higher the temperature the greater the heat loss and the required energy is not a straight line graph. 800C is a relatively modest operating service temperature and part of the Hazer process efficiency, it's easy to achieve, uses little energy with relatively little heat loss. Most furnaces operate at far higher temperatures and require refractory material as an inner lining which requires periodic replacement. Hazer did mention a refractory solution as an option at one point. I believe that Hazer, in an effort to maximise performance and economy, have opted to dispense with a refractory lining and go with a high temperature alloy instead. As this is the heart of the process, it is crucial that it operate successfully. Unfortunately the Chinese built reactor did not meet specifications so there's a lot riding on the Italian reactor working as designed. As a back up the second Canadian (presumably also a non refractory design) reactor is a further option and hopefully good insurance. If both reactors fail the development of the Hazer process as a viable commercial scale operation is not sunk, but a more conventional and presumably less efficient design will have to be employed.