Page 20 - Steel Metallurgy eMagazine Volume June 2024

EAF QUANTUM IN OPERATION

REVOLUTIONARY EAF SOLUTION: AN OVERVIEW

OF THE OPERATION OF THE EAF QUANTUM BY

PRIMETALS TECHNOLOGIES

Authors: Hans-Jörg Krassnig, Ali Today’s steel producers face immense challenges when working with an elec-
Hegazy, Miao Peng Sheng,Michel tric arc furnace (EAF). These challenges may include anticipating stringent
Hein, JörgSchwörer, Deniz Catan environmental targets for green steel, achieving optimal energy efficiency,
Hans-Jörg Krassnig,Ali Hegazy, Miao dealing with the constraints of weak electrical infrastructure, and oper-
Peng Sheng, Michael ating a closed-roof EAF while attempting to maintain the highest degree
Hein,JörgSchwörer, and Deniz Catan of productivity with modest OPEX and CAPEX. The EAF Quantum from
are key members of the electric Primetals Technologies is a proven solution for these complex challenges. The
steelmaking department at Primetals EAF Quantum is the latest energy-efficient EAF technology, yet it is quickly
Technologies in Germany and China. becoming well-established and growing fast. Since its first introduction, 14
reference projects have been completed. This article describes the EAF Quan-
tum process and provides an overview of the technology and design concept
from Primetals Technologies.
INTRODUCTION

he waste gas energy content of a
typical EAF is approximately 150 reduction of electrical disturbances in an annual production capacity of up to
TkWh/t, of which more than 80 plants where the electrical power supply 2 million tonnes of crude steel. It also
kWh/t can be chemical energy. Scrap network is an issue, thanks to the flat includes a complete dedusting system
preheating using waste heat from primary bath operation of the EAF Quantum. for primary, secondary, and auxiliary
off-gas is one of the Best Available emission sources.
Techniques (BAT) in steelmaking, EAF Quantum furnace also reduces
improving the energy balance and specific conversion costs of electric steel Suitable for new and existing plants, the
productivity of the EAF process [1]. production by around 20% and can have EAF Quantum from Primetals
It is based on the physical principles of
heat radiation, convection of gases, heat
transfer, and heat transport.

The EAF Quantum from Primetals
Technologies is one of the high-
performing, proven, and reliable
scrap preheating technologies that
are commercially available. Primetals
Technologies has many patents for
the highly innovative EAF Quantum
technology—e.g., the shaft design and the
scrap retention system. Furthermore, this
furnace is fully automated and features
advanced dust removal systems.

The main driving force for adopting EAF
Quantum scrap preheating technology is
to increase productivity, reach a higher
charge yield, and lower conversion costs
combined with a lower environmental
impact. Another motivating factor is the Fig. 1 – First 100-tonne EAF Quantum at Tyasa in Mexico.

16 STEEL & METALLURGY JUNE 2024