EFSOP® Holistic Optimization™ of Electric Arc Furnaces -: Past, present and future

EFSOP(R) (Expert Furnace System Optimization Process) is a unique process control technology that analyzes furnace off-gas chemistry including O(2), H(2), CO, and CO(2) providing a continuous real-time dynamic control of the furnace. The first generation EFSOP(R) technology was developed during 1996-1998 with financial support from the Canadian government. The objective was to commercialize a robust and reliable continuous off-gas analysis system capable of surviving in the steelmaking environment without excessive maintenance. As a result of this research effort, the first Goodfellow EFSOP(R) system was developed and subsequently demonstrated on the EAF at Lake Ontario Steel Company then part of the Co-Steel Group. The first commercial EFSOP(R) system was installed in the United Kingdom in 1998. Under the direction of Tenova (formerly Techint Technologies) the application of EFSOP(R) technology has expanded dramatically with more than 40 systems currently installed or underway in ten countries worldwide. To date, EFSOP(R) installations have cumulatively lowered green house gas emissions by more than 200,000 tonnes, reduced electricity consumption by over 300,000 megawatt hours and saved steelmakers over $90 million from reduced operating costs.