| Every steel plant looks to reduce energy consumption and boost energy efficiency. Linde is here to help.
Linde understands that when molten metal ladles are heated and properly soaked-through (i.e., ladle preheating), overall energy consumption will be reduced. This happens due to a reduction in the steelmaking tap temperature needed to provide adequate superheat for later refining and casting operations.
The Lindarc® portfolio includes various types of oxyfuel and air-oxyfuel burners that accomplish desired ladle-preheating and vessel-preheating outcomes. Lindarc® flameless oxyfuel technologies provide fast, efficient and uniform heating for preheating and drying ladles and vessels, all with low NOx generation. Proper ladle drying or vessel drying is also important in terms of reducing refractory consumption and downtime, following relining and repairs.
Oxyfuel burner technology, as used in ladle preheating and vessel preheating, has become more widely adopted, for a number of reasons:
· Faster heat-up: Due to the higher available heat (defined as the gross energy delivered to the ladle, minus exhaust gas losses), a ladle can reach required temperatures in half the time of a conventional air-fuel burner at the same power. This results in fuel savings and high system flexibility.
· Energy savings: Oxyfuel burners are excellent in providing energy-efficient heating, due to the absence of nitrogen. The use of Linde LINDARC® flameless oxyfuel further improves energy efficiency, as it achieves a uniform refractory heating profile.
· Longer refractory life: LINDARC® flameless oxyfuel technology provides uniform, thorough heating of the refractory lining, minimizing its thermal shock upon exposure to molten steel during tapping and transfer.
· Reduced flue gas volume: When combustion air is replaced with oxygen, the flue gas volume is drastically reduced – from approximately 11.7 to 3.0 ft3 of exhaust gas per cubic foot of natural gas. This results in a 75-80% reduction in flue gas volume, providing an optimal operational environment.
The use of Lindarc oxyfuel burners offers other benefits, including:
· Elimination of air blowers and their energy consumption
· Energy savings in the melting furnace
· Reduced number of ladles in service
· Flexible ladle heating and controllable temperature
To learn how Linde can help optimize any component of your metallurgical operations, be sure to Contact Us. |
