Thermochemical recuperation of exhaust gases heat can be a promising way to save energy when it comes to high-temperature plants heated by natural gas, for example glass melting furnaces. This technology can help to save up to 10-25% of energy without affecting other parameters of the process. Schemes of glass melting furnaces with various options for thermochemical recuperation were simulated using Mathcad code and Aspen Plus code. It is shown that the dependence of specific primary energy consumption on the volume fraction of recirculated exhaust gases used as an oxidant for the reforming process is non-monotonic and has a minimum at the range of values 0.19-0.22 of mentioned volume fraction. Determination of the oxidant flow coefficient for the reforming process for all considered options of thermochemical recuperation were suggested, as well as method of that calculation. In the industrial plant with reforming based on the recirculated exhaust gases transition to the optimal value of this coefficient (close to 1.00) is considered to be energy-saving, which reduces fuel consumption by 16% and reduces environmental pollution. Use of economic evaluation of environmental pollution will allow to choose the scheme of thermochemical recuperation more efficiently. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.