Page 22 - Steel Metallurgy eMagazine Volume June 2024

EAF QUANTUM IN OPERATION

Scrap charging
• Hopper solution or other concepts—
e.g., trucks and cranes
• Elevator system with chute—previously
proven from blast furnace operations
• Sub-surface dumping station
• Buffer installation at the scrap yard to
fulfill demand from the furnace on time
• Full-fledged automation concept

Tilting frame and shell
• The roof, shaft, and scrap charging
system are fixed and do not move or tilt.
• A small tilting platform holds the
furnace vessel.
• All fixed shaft components have fixed
media pipes. Only the shell needs media
hoses, mainly for water.

Shell exchange
Fig. 2 – View of the scrap elevator system. • New designed shell transfer and
exchange concept
• Shell can be exchanged within 45
Technologies has a current tapping operating costs, and CO2 emissions minutes
weight of 80 to 160 tonnes. Recently, are also reduced. As the off-gas passes • Offline refractory repair of shell
an EAF Quantum with up to 300-tonne through the scrap during the preheating possible
tapping weight has been developed and process, dust emissions are reduced • Self-sustaining hydraulic for shell
is ready for commercialization. The by 50% compared to standard electric tilting
innovative furnace has achieved power arc furnaces. This reduction correlates
consumption levels below 300 kWh/t with an increase in the zinc content in Tapping system
with power-on times of less than 29 the dust, which supports its recycling • Furnace Advanced Slag-free Tapping
minutes and tap-to-tap times of less than and saleability for heavy industry (FAST) feature makes it possible to tap
33 minutes. The EAF Quantum is also applications. slag-free
flexible regarding scrap types and other • Tapping can almost be completed
feedstock, including hot metal, DRI/ The other advantages of EAF Quantum under power-on conditions due to the
HBI, and pig iron. are a reduction in flicker and electrical low tilting angle needed and the fixed
grid network disturbances, minimized gantry.
EAF QUANTUM – furnace movements, and the ability • The maximum required tapping angle
is 7 degrees.
to automatically tap under power-on
BRIEF TECHNICAL conditions, ensuring the safe operation • Possibility for split tapping (1 heat – 2
DETAILS of the furnace. The EAF Quantum from ladles)
Primetals Technologies combines proven
elements of shaft furnace technology with Shaft with scrap preheating system
an innovative scrap charging process, an • No critical water-cooled parts
Several unique features of the EAF efficient preheating system, a new tilting underneath the scrap falling area
Quantum make excellent performance concept for the lower vessel, and an • Possibility to open the fingers in a
figures possible. One main feature is optimized tapping system. In addition, safe position at any time and in any
its scrap preheating system, shortening there are proven refining combined condition (e.g., power failure)
power-on times. In a conventional burner systems, a Lomas gas analysis • Shock absorber
electric arc furnace, scrap is often system to optimize process control, and • Cleaning rings
charged at lower temperatures. With automated systems for taking samples
the EAF Quantum, off-gas from the and measuring temperatures. Roof and gantry
production process preheats the scrap, • The roof is fixed and the electrodes
reducing the energy required to melt the An overview of some of the main features only swivel for electrodes slipping on
scrap. Reduced energy requirements, of EAF Quantum are listed below. the slipping table.

18 STEEL & METALLURGY JUNE 2024