LADLE FURNACES (LFs)
GROWMECH is second-to-none in the business of secondary refining for all types of steels. The experience gained in over a decade through the design of ladle furnaces, development, optimisation of processes as well as the incomparable performances recorded have proclaimed our achievements in metallurgical process.
Our greater knowledge and technology-enabled process have helped steelmakers to save a lot, reduce energy costs and electrode consumption, and resulted in greater yield of alloy materials at every stage of the secondary metallurgy refining process.
Our ladle furnaces are used to:
- raise temperature.
- control the chemical composition between tapping and casting; and
- removing and modifying inclusions.
We have developed several solutions which include single ladle furnace (with fixed or swivelling gantry and ladle car or turret), and twin ladle furnace (with swivelling gantry and two water-cooled roofs for each treatment position), all designed to suit productivity demand.
Design solutions
Our unique designs do not require large space and offer easy access to the roof. Their other features include:
- water cooled roof;
- current conducting electrode arms made of copper;
- automatic lance manipulators for temperature measuring and sampling;
- lance manipulator with concrete lance for stirring;
- lance manipulator for powder injection;
- alloy flap and funnel as interface to the alloy system;
- wire feeding for deoxidation and micro alloying;
- automatic coupling system for stirring gas;
- inert gas stirring for homogenization;
- modern electrode regulation with advanced functionalities;
- level 1 system with field bus and safety PLC;
- level 2 system for full process control; and
- availability of optional features - ladle rim suction, water cooled copper roof, etc.
Essential Qualities of GrowMech Ladle Furnaces
GrowMech ladle furnaces are developed through technological innovation to enable reduction of harmful elements in the steel liquid and harmful gas. They also increase productivity while saving ferroalloy, and ensure that the refining time to Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) decreases.
- Reduced nitrogen and carbon pick up as well electrode consumption thanks to roof and de-dusting design and optimum electrode regulation;
- Operation with submerged arc under synthetic slag;
- Reduction in total costs;
- Efficient energy input with high active power and efficient heat transfer;
- Inert gas stirring into the steel to improve fast slag reactions and heat transfer;
- Exact temperature adjustment for continuous casting;
- Treatment times of less than 20 min (twin lf);
- Buffer function between melt shop and caster;
- Decrease tapping temperature at the EAF or BoF;
- Reduction in refractory consumption;
- Exact adjustment of steel composition (metallurgical fine-tuning);
- Improved cleanliness of the steel; and
- Suitable for all steel qualities.