The LM.3 - the new era of efficient energy input optimization in the EAF

摘要

The energy costs for the production of steel have a large influence on the final conversion costs. The optimization of the furnace operation aims for the usage of the highest amount of the cheapest energy source. But even the high powered furnaces run with the same burner powers as during the last 20 to 30 years, in most cases between 2-5 MW per burner. But this power limitation leads to a much smaller total power of the EAF during melting than during refining; this stage is characterized by an efficient flat bath operation with a high amount of multipoint-oxygen injection. Therefore the idea for the Tiltable-VLB was born and started with success. The mechanical movements as tried several times in history give the possibility of an increase in power without destroying the refractory or oxidizing the scrap. Now the LM.3 offers the additional possibility of installing a powerful movable burner in the door tunnel. More than 6 MW are possible, even as a standalone tool the chemical energy input can be increased easily and without any pilot flame gas consumption.