Primetals Technologies receives FAC for modernized DC twin electric arc furnace at Baosteel in Shanghai, China

Primetals Technologies has received the final acceptance certificate (FAC) from China’s Baoshan Iron & Steel Co. Ltd. (Baosteel) for the modernization of a more than 20 year old DC twin electric arc furnace at its Shanghai plant. The project involved redesigning both the upper and lower vessels and installing new anodes with increased durability. Improved power efficiency reduces production costs and raw materials can be used more flexibly. It is therefore now possible to operate the electric arc furnace with a hot metal content of up to 90 percent.

Baoshan Iron & Steel Co Ltd. is part of the newly formed China Baowu Steel Group Corp Ltd, the second largest steel producer in the world, with a production capacity of 70 million tons. Baosteel produces high-quality products for both the Chinese domestic and the world markets. The twin electric arc furnace at the Shanghai plant has a tapping weight of 150 metric tons and is part of a production line on which billets and long products are manufactured for use as structural steels.

Under the modernization project Primetals Technologies was responsible for engineering, manufacturing and supplying essential components. The upper vessels with their water-cooled wall panels were completely redesigned, and the lower sections each were equipped with a new, air-cooled FIN anode. Overall, electric power efficiency levels and thus productivity was improved. New burner systems also were installed. It is now possible to operate the twin electric arc furnace with a hot metal content of up to 90 percent. Primetals Technologies was likewise responsible for monitoring the installation and commissioning work.

Primetals Technologies, Limited headquartered in London, United Kingdom is a worldwide leading engineering, plant-building and lifecycle services partner for the metals industry. The company offers a complete technology, product and service portfolio that includes integrated electrics, automation and environmental solutions. This covers every step of the iron and steel production chain, extending from the raw materials to the finished product – in addition to the latest rolling solutions for the nonferrous metals sector. Primetals Technologies is a joint venture of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Siemens. Mitsubishi-Hitachi Metals Machinery (MHMM) - an MHI consolidated group company with equity participation by Hitachi, Ltd. and the IHI Corporation - holds a 51% stake and Siemens a 49% stake in the joint venture. The company employs around 7,000 employees worldwide. Further information is available on the Internet at www.primetals.com.