Final answer:
The advantage of the refractory (gas) burner is that it preheats the air and gas mixture, allowing for more efficient combustion and heat distribution within the furnace.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the advantages of the refractory (gas) burner is: a. The air and gas mixture is thoroughly preheated before it enters the furnace, allowing for more efficient combustion. This preheating process is essential in industrial applications where consistent and controllable heat is required.
The process involves the oxidation of coke to carbon dioxide, which then reacts further to form carbon monoxide in a subsequent reduction step. The preheated air contributes to this series of reactions, promoting more complete combustion and better heat distribution within the furnace.
This preheating also makes the process more energy-efficient compared to other burners that do not preheat the air and gas mixture. It is certainly not about operating at a higher cost, requiring additional maintenance, or producing excessive emissions which are related to drawbacks rather than an advantage.