The German casting company ACO Guss GmbH with about 300 employees produces casting parts for railway technology, mechanical engineering, and utility vehicles. Besides continuous casting processes, the company manufactures components of grey cast and spheroidal graphite iron.

The highest amount of energy is required for the preheating and heating of the furnace for the continuous casting process. To reduce the energy consumption and energy costs the company decided to implement a new heating concept of the furnace. The new concept consists of an isolated heated cover, integrated porous burner, a reflection body as well as a control unit. Especially the reflection body generates a very intensive heat transfer on the inner surface of the furnace. The new system uses less energy and the furnace is heated faster. Additionally, the material will be less stressed. With the new concept, the company can save about €58 800 energy costs per year. The investment costs of €89 300 will pay off in about 1.5 years.