Waste Heat Recovery Systems for Electric Arc Furnaces

The Waste heat recovery systems (WHR) for electric arc furnaces (EAF) from Primetals Technologies offer an innovative solution by capturing and reusing this lost energy. This helps reduce overall energy demand and lowers emissions, supporting a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly production process.

The Waste Heat Recovery Systems (WHR) for electric arc furnaces (EAF) are engineered to maximize energy efficiency and sustainability. By replacing the hot gas line and the second-stage cooler (either a forced-draft cooler or a quencher) with energy recovery units, Waste Heat Recovery Systems (WHR) for electric arc furnaces (EAF) capture and repurpose thermal energy. This recovered energy can be utilized for hot water production, steam generation, or electricity, offering flexibility to meet diverse operational needs.

The system operates in two stages, depending on the energy recovery requirements. In the first stage, the water-cooled hot gas line is replaced with an energy recovery system. This allows the off-gas to cool at higher temperatures, capturing significant amounts of heat that can be converted into steam or hot water. In the second stage, the secondary off-gas cooling device, such as a forced-draft cooler, is replaced with an additional energy recovery unit. This unit, consisting of convective heat exchange surfaces, further enhances the system’s efficiency by maximizing the capture of residual heat.

The cooled hot-water duct is designed similarly to conventionally cooled ducts. However, due to the application of pressure equipment standards, the ducts are of higher quality, which minimizes corrosion caused by high water temperatures.

Storage Tank

The heat-storage tank helps equalize cyclic heat supply, ensuring continuous steam generation for the pickling lines.

Auxiliary Cooler

To maintain steady steel production, an auxiliary cooler is used for off-gas cooling when there is no steam demand or in case of disturbances on the consumer side. This provides additional flexibility and increases plant availability.

The modular design of the WHR system ensures seamless integration into existing plant infrastructure. Steel producers can upgrade their facilities without significant downtime or costly modifications. The system is compatible with standard dusting solutions, making installation and maintenance straightforward. It is an ideal choice for both new and existing plants.

By implementing Waste Heat Recovery Systems (WHR) for electric arc furnaces (EAF), steel producers can reduce costs, enhance sustainability, and improve plant efficiency. This innovative solution addresses the critical need for energy optimization while supporting a greener future for the steel industry.

Benefits of Waste Heat Recovery Systems for Electric Arc Furnaces

• Reduce energy consumption: lower specific energy demand per ton of steel
• Create value: generate steam or electricity
• Enhance flexibility: use recovered energy for diverse applications such as heating, cooling, or electricity
• Optimize operations: seamlessly integrate with existing systems for improved efficiency
• Increase system availability: prevent corrosion through hot cooling