Title

Oxygen Injection for Effective Post-Combustion in the Electric Arc Furnace

Authorship

MATHUR, P.C.; MESSINA, C.J.; LIMA, W.

MATHUR, P.C.

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MESSINA, C.J.

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LIMA, W.

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DOI

10.5151/2594-5327-49v7-561-568

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Abstract

Post-combustion of CO to CO₂ in the electric arc furnace is an attractive technology for steel shops seeking to increase furnace productivity, reduce electric power consumption, lower baghouse temperature/loading, and allow for higher carbon content in the charge (such as iron carbide, DRI, pig iron, etc.). This technology is relatively simple to implement, requiring only the addition of oxygen injection lances above the bath. Beyond reacting all the CO inside the furnace, the key to effective post-combustion is ensuring efficient heat transfer from the reaction to the scrap charge and/or the steel bath. Praxair collaborated with Nucor Steel in Plymouth, Utah, to develop lances and operating practices for efficient post-combustion in electric arc furnaces. The results showed that a heat transfer efficiency of 80% was achieved, power consumption dropped by 40 kWh/t, reaching 332 kWh/t, and tap-to-tap time decreased by 4 minutes, reaching 54 minutes.

Keywords

Electric arc furnace, Post-combustion, Oxygen injection, Energy efficiency, Praxair, Nucor