Improving EAF performance by chemical energy optimisation at Ezz flat steel

An important development of the modular chemical energy system layout, jet flowrate and jet length was implemented in electric arc furnace (EAF) at Ezz Flat Steel plant to reduce electrical energy consumption, avoid skull formation, reduce refractory consumption and improve foaming slag. This development was conducted in stages. The first stage included the implementation of new oxygen jets and a change to the jet distribution in upper shell perimeter water cooled panels. The second stage was to increase the length of the jets and increase the oxygen flowrate. The third stage, increased the jet length and the jet flowrate while the fourth stage, was the application period. The modifications led to a reduction in electrical power consumption of 64 kWh, reduction in refractory consumption of 48% and an increase in furnace productivity of 30%.