Revamped EAF Started up in the U.S.A. Boasts Increased Safety and Productivity

U.S. steel producer NLMK Indiana has started up a 118-ton electric arc furnace, revamped by Primetals Technologies, at its steel plant in Portage, Indiana, U.S.A.

NLMK Indiana wanted to increase safety and simplify the maintenance procedures executed by furnace operators at its Portage site. Two key aspects of Primetals Technologies’ solution to tackle these challenges are a single-point roof-lifting system and an integrated gantry, both of which are carefully developed by experienced Primetals Technologies specialists. With this solution, operator safety in the context of replacing the delta or lifting off the roof is increased because there no longer is any need to physically access the furnace roof when disconnecting the chains.
The process of replacing the delta is faster compared to that done with the equipment the company used prior – it now lasts less than an hour. As a result, the EAF’s maintenance-related downtime is lower, which in turn increases productivity. NLMK Indiana is a subsidiary of the Russian steel producer NLMK and part of NLMK USA. With more than 1100 employees, NLMK USA produces 2.7 million tonnes of steel annually annually in its three production facilities located in Pennsylvania and Indiana.
Source: Primetals Technologies