Title

NEW WALKING BEAM FURNACE – GERDAU AMERISTEEL MIDLOTHIAN TX1

NEW WALKING BEAM FURNACE – GERDAU AMERISTEEL MIDLOTHIAN TX1

Authorship

Davies, Daniel R.

Davies, Daniel R.

I am this author

DOI

10.5151/2594-5297-17502

Downloads

Abstract

Starting back as far as 1997, Gerdau Ameristeel (then known as Chaparral Steel) in Midlothian, Texas (outside Dallas) needed to update their heating capacity in their large section mill. The existing furnace could not meet the production demands of the mill and required a high degree of maintenance to run efficiently and provide a properly heated product to the mill. Most of the existing furnace was demolished including the mechanical handling equipment, skids, steel, refractory, combustion system and controls. Only the understructures mechanism remained. All the equipment and materials were replaced and upgraded. A new 45’ section of furnace was added to the charge end of the modified furnace. A new modern Level 1 and Level 2 control and automation system controlled the entire furnace and mechanical equipment. The new furnace was also rezoned to provide better heating quality while the longer and upgraded furnace provided more production, reduced maintenance and fuel consumption..

Starting back as far as 1997, Gerdau Ameristeel (then known as Chaparral Steel) in Midlothian, Texas (outside Dallas) needed to update their heating capacity in their large section mill. The existing furnace could not meet the production demands of the mill and required a high degree of maintenance to run efficiently and provide a properly heated product to the mill. Most of the existing furnace was demolished including the mechanical handling equipment, skids, steel, refractory, combustion system and controls. Only the understructures mechanism remained. All the equipment and materials were replaced and upgraded. A new 45’ section of furnace was added to the charge end of the modified furnace. A new modern Level 1 and Level 2 control and automation system controlled the entire furnace and mechanical equipment. The new furnace was also rezoned to provide better heating quality while the longer and upgraded furnace provided more production, reduced maintenance and fuel consumption.

Keywords

Reheat furnace; Walking beam; Upgrade.

Reheat furnace; Walking beam; Upgrade.