In 2014, an ABB ArcSave® electromagnetic stirrer was installed on a 90 ton spout taping furnace for stainless steel production, delivering a wide range of process improvements including the successful elimination of furnace bottom skulls. A global leader in stainless steel and high performance alloys, Outokumpu‘s stainless steel foundry in Avesta, Sweden is one of the world‘s most productive. However, the addition of ferro-chromium in the arc furnace process, necessary to produce these particular steel grades does have disadvantages. With a higher melting point than the surrounding melt, the ferro-chromium can settle on the furnace bottom to form skulls. This led to variations in tapping weight, higher electrode and energy consumption and even practical difficulties when charging the scrap baskets, all of which had a negative impact on productivity.
Outokumpu chose ArcSave®, the new generation of electromagnetic stirrer to optimize the performance of their electric arc furnace operation (EAF). A specific stirring profile, controlling stirring intensity, duration and direction, was created to focus ArcSave’s improved stirring power on Outokumpu’s desired process improvements, including enhanced scrap and ferrochromium melting, reduced costs and improved productivity.
In line with Outokumpu‘s objectives, ArcSave® has delivered improvements which contribute to a more stabilized arc, more homogeneous steel bath, enhanced slag-metal reaction, more consistent EAF tapping conditions and argon oxygen decarburization operation. This provides both metallurgical quality and financial benefits, and a smoother and more reliable process.
