Page 26 - Steel Metallurgy eMagazine Volume June 2024

EAF QUANTUM IN OPERATION

median of 309 kWh/t electrical energy
consumption has been achieved at less
oxygen (26 Nm3/t) and shorter power-
on time.

EAF QUANTUM UP TO
300 TONNES

EAF Quantum has been scaled up
successfully to 120-tonne and 150-tonne.
The next generation of EAF Quantum,
in sizes of 200-tonne, 250-tonne, and
300-tonne, has already been developed
and is now ready for commercialization.
Fig.5- Production and Heats The large capacity of EAF Quantum will
benefit customers transitioning from
the conventional blast furnace/basic
oxygen furnace-based production route
into an EAF-based production route by
maintaining high productivity levels
comparable to those of the basic oxygen
furnace.

Additionally, many other features will be
implemented in future EAF Quantum
installations, for instance:

• The scrap container can be placed
on the inclined elevator and act as a
charging container.
• Improved FAST slag-free tapping
system design
• Improved distribution of purging
plugs
• Additional refining combined burner
Fig.6 - Energy and Oxygen Consumption (median daily) in the upper shell
• Temperature measurement in fingers
via measuring probe

Quantum reported a lower shell lifetime than that of a conventional EAF for the
of more than 1200 heats. same EAF transformer power installed. REFERENCES

EAF Quantum productivity of more EAF Quantum startup is also very rapid. 1. Rainer Remus et al., “Best Available
than 270 t/h has been achieved for an For example, in one EAF Quantum Techniques (BAT) Reference Document
EAF Quantum witha 150-tonne tapping in China, performance values quickly for Iron and Steel Production”, European
weight. For comparative productivity, exceeded contractual values (see Fig. Commission, 2013.
several indices evaluate the productivity 4–6). In this case, despite the peak of 2. Lückhof J. et. al., World’s First EAF
th
of EAFs based on installed CAPEX, e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic, Primetals Quantum, the 46 Seminário de Aciaria
transformer capacity or heat size. The Technologies continued supporting its – Internacional, August 17th-21st, 2015,
performance of EAF Quantum versus customers on-site and remotely to put Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
the best values of conventional EAF with the EAF Quantum into production. The 3. Abel M. et al., SIMETAL EAF
no preheating has shown significant contractual value was 300 kWh/tls at 38 QUANTUM™ - The Future Approach
benefits in terms of productivity. Thanks Nm3/t and a longer scrap preheating for Efficient Scrap melting, the 43rd
to flat bath operation, the average active time (almost 70% of the contractual 36 Seminário de Aciaria – Internacional,
power for EAF Quantum is also higher min power-on time). Less than a daily May 20th -23rd, 2012, MG, Brazil.

22 STEEL & METALLURGY JUNE 2024