The upgrade has increased production efficiency and the quality of high-grade electrical steel while reducing energy consumption and emissions
Tenova has finalized the modernization of a Walking Beam Furnace (WBF) at thyssenkrupp Steel's Bruckhausen Plant in Duisburg, Germany. The modernization, executed by Tenova Italimpianti, has achieved key objectives: maximizing production capacity, enhancing the quality of high-grade electrical steel strips, and reducing specific energy consumption.
The upgraded WBF features a cutting-edge refractory lining design and an optimized fixed and walking beam system. These innovations ensure a more uniform temperature distribution along the slab length, minimizing temperature loss in the slab’s center. Reduced contact points between slabs and the beam system help avoid surface defects, resulting in higher product quality.
A critical aspect of the upgrade is the integration of UltraLowNOx burners tailored for coke oven gas, reducing NOx emissions while ensuring efficient heating distribution through a modern control system. Additionally, a new automatic descaling concept has decreased cleaning intervals, leading to more efficient heat treatment processes. The modernization also involved updating safety measures to comply with the latest standards, further ensuring a safe operational environment.
This comprehensive upgrade not only strengthens thyssenkrupp Steel's capability to produce high-quality electrical steel but also demonstrates Tenova's commitment to developing advanced, environmentally friendly technologies for the metals industry's combustion systems.
Head of Hot Strip Mill 1, thyssenkrupp Steel
The modernization of this walking beam furnace supports our goals for efficiency and sustainability. Tenova has played a key role in this process. We had already successfully collaborated on a new walking beam furnace at our Beeckerwerth Hot Strip Mill 2 in Duisburg, where Tenova's contribution was crucial in helping us potentially reduce CO2 emissions by more than 20% through the use of hydrogen.
Project Engineer Coordinator for Reheating Technologies, Tenova Italimpianti
We are proud to have partnered with thyssenkrupp Steel for this project which supports their forward-looking strategy. Our equipment ensures the maximum production of high-quality electrical steel strips while enhancing the sustainability of the heat treatment process.
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