Siemens to Evaluate Hot-Blast Stoves at Four U.S. Production Sites
03/27/2009 - Siemens VAI Metals Technologies will inspect existing hot-blast stoves at four U.S. production sites and propose repair and upgrade measures.
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Hot-blast stoves, which provide hot blast for the blast furnace process, use blast furnace top gas as the main energy source. Energy-efficient operation of hot-blast stoves depends on the execution of regular inspections and upgrades.
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The objective of the project, which covers four production sites that belong to U.S.-based steel producers, is to increase the hot-blast temperature and capacity as well as to improve the overall energy efficiency.
One U.S. producer has commissioned Siemens VAI to carry out a process analysis for the hot-blast stove of one of the company's blast furnaces in preparation for a planned modernization in 2010. Siemens VAI has already developed a new hot-blast stove design for this producer’s second blast furnace, which currently provides approximately 70% of the iron production. Siemens VAI has also delivered three stoves for the second blast furnace that have been in operation since the beginning of 2008.
At a second steel mill, Siemens VAI developed a new design for one of the stoves that will be installed in 2009. Siemens VAI previously designed and delivered a second stove at that facility that has been in use since the beginning of 2008. It is capable of providing hot blast temperatures of up to 1200 °C, a temperature threshold that will become necessary after the planned blast furnace reline.
At a third site, Siemens VAI previously provided a stove design for one of the blast furnaces and supplied key components for a stove that was commissioned in late 2006. The current order includes design of a second stove for the same blast furnace as well as the design of another stove for a second blast furnace. These stoves are expected to be rebuilt in 2010 and 2011.
Siemens VAI has also prepared a repair plan for the stoves of a blast furnace of a Midwestern U.S. steel producer that underwent an extensive reline in late 2008. Siemens VAI had inspected the stoves and found them to be in poor condition and incapable of sustaining the operating parameters required for blast furnace operation. The repair plan includes defining refractory supply requirements and an accelerated installation schedule that would allow the stoves to be brought on line to support blast furnace production. This support service was critical to maintain the blast furnace’s production capability.
The Siemens Industry Sector (Erlangen, Germany) is a leading international supplier of production, transportation, building and lighting technologies. The Sector consists of six Divisions: Building Technologies, Drive Technologies, Industry Automation, Industry Solutions, Mobility and Osram. With around 222,000 employees worldwide Siemens Industry posted in fiscal year 2008 a profit of EUR3.86 billion with revenues totaling EUR38 billion.
With the business activities of Siemens VAI Metal Technologies (Linz, Austria), Siemens Water Technologies (Warrendale, Pa.), and Industry Technologies (Erlangen, Germany), the Siemens Industry Solutions Division (Erlangen, Germany) is one of the world's leading solution and service providers for industrial and infrastructure facilities. Using its own products, systems and process technologies, Industry Solutions develops and builds plants for end customers, commissions them and provides support during their entire life cycle. With around 31,000 employees worldwide Siemens Industry Solutions achieved an order intake of EUR 8.4 billon in fiscal year 2008 (preliminary and unaudited).
