SMS Group has received an order from the Nordic steel producer SSAB for the engineering, supply and construction of a new electric arc furnace for steel production at the Oxelösund site in Sweden.
The scope of supply includes an alternating current electric arc furnace (AC-EAF) with a capacity of 190 tons, in which various raw materials can be processed, including fossil-free direct reduced iron (DRI) or briquetted iron ore (HBI) as well as scrap. With a vessel top diameter of 9.3 m, the new electric arc furnace is one of the largest systems in the world for this type of application. It will help SSAB to further decarbonize its production processes.
Henrik Hansson
SSAB is ‘revolutionizing’ steelmaking with two unique steel grades that produce virtually no fossil carbon emissions: SSAB Fossil-free and SSAB Zero. SSAB Zero is made from recycled steel and SSAB Fossil-free is based on sponge iron, which is reduced with hydrogen instead of coking coal. Both types of steel are produced in electric arc furnaces powered by electricity from renewable energies and other non-fossil fuels. SSAB has set itself the goal of becoming a virtually fossil-free company by around 2030.
SMS delivers all automated functions, including slag management and eccentric bottom tapping (EBT), advanced electrode control X-Pact SynReg, which together with advanced robotic applications, such as the X-Pact sampler, ensure operational safety and higher precision and productivity without human intervention.
The automation system for the new plant will be set up in SMS’s X-Pact Plug&Work test center in Germany, combined with a virtual process and production simulation. This concept of integration tests enables a shorter ramp-up time, high product quality and a stable production environment. During the X-Pact Plug&Work integration test, the SMS experts will train SSAB staff.
The implemented process control and automation ensures a reliable “tap-to-tap time” (t-t-t), which results in lower energy consumption and high production efficiency. With the new EAF, SSAB will not only produce high-quality liquid steel, but also manage the smooth transition from the integrated to the electrical route without major disruptions. Side wall burners, lime/carbon injection devices and flue gas analyzers ensure optimum use of chemical energy.
The scope of delivery also includes an unparalleled yard management system for plant-wide raw material management with efficient tracking and noise reduction thanks to an exceptionally large number of special containers. This project is also an expansion order for the Manufacturing Execution System (MES), which is currently being implemented by SMS at SSAB.
The SMS Group’s digital twin with Genius CM and DataXpert for SSAB digitally displays the electric arc furnace and serves as a central interface for predictive maintenance.
SMS
SMS Group stands for future-oriented technology in machine and plant engineering for the metal industry worldwide. The company uses its 150 years of experience and digital expertise to continuously innovate beyond its core business – and generates global sales of around 3.1 billion euros. SMS is a partner for demanding projects. The company supports its customers throughout the entire life cycle of their plants, thereby enabling profitable, resource-saving value chains. Being a pioneer for a carbon-neutral and sustainable metals industry is the company’s declared goal. As a global player with German roots, SMS takes responsibility for its approximately 14,400 employees.
Web:
www.sms-group.com
