Salzgitter to install new walking beam furnace

The german steel manufacturer reports an increase in energy efficiency combined with a significant reduction in previous CO2 emissions.

Together with its Salzgitter Flachstahl subsidiary, the Salzgitter Group is investing a triple-digit million euro sum in a new walking beam furnace and waste gas heat utilization system at the hot strip mill. This will reduce energy consumption and enable the use of hydroge
In these special ovens in the hot strip mill, so-called slabs are heated to up to 1,300 degrees Celsius. These blocks of cast steel are the primary material that is then rolled out into steel strips (coils). Tenova Italimpianti was assigned with the realization of the walking beam furnace.
As Thomas Routschek, Operations Director, Hot Flat Products Division, Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH stated: "With the new furnace, we will be reducing our energy requirements for slab heating in the hot flat steel area by up to 30 %. This is another significant step towards reducing the CO2 footprint of flat steel products. Subsequent to successful commissioning, all the slabs produced at the Salzgitter site will be processed in the walking beam furnaces in future.”
Hot combustion gases are generated when the slabs are heated in the walking beam furnace. The associated thermal energy is converted into steam in an exhaust gas heat recovery system (Abgaswärmenutzungsanlage, AWN). The DSD Power company was commissioned with the construction of the AWN.
"The entire project is all about energy efficiency. The new AWN system makes decidedly efficient use of the combustion gases. The high-quality steam generated in the process is then distributed throughout the plant," as Felix Iwanowski, Project Management Hot Rolling Mill Salzgitter Flachstahl explained.
According to Salzgitter, thanks to its high energy efficiency the project is being funded by KfW. The installation and commissioning of the new walking beam furnace is scheduled for completion in 2028.
Source: Salzgitter AG