Horno De Arco Electrico - Herramientas

Steel Production Process

Heating and Melting Scrap Metal

• The furnace operates at temperatures between 1621°C and 1676°C, sufficient to melt most metals like magnesium and lead.

• The goal is to convert 8 million kilograms of scrap into usable steel, aiming for a production of 8,500 to 9,000 tons of hot-rolled steel daily.

Loading the Furnace

• Scrap metal is sorted by weight in different railway cars before being transported to the melting shop.

• A layered loading method is used: heavier materials are placed at the bottom and lighter ones on top for efficient melting.

Melting Process

• The furnace's charge contains previously melted steel to maintain temperature; introducing room-temperature scrap can be explosive.

• When new scrap is added, it displaces molten metal, creating fireballs as it interacts with the liquid steel.

Electric Arc Furnace Operation

• The electric arc furnace uses 13 electrodes that discharge 115 million watts of electricity—enough power for a city like Tampa for three days.

• Electricity flows through an arc created between electrodes separated by air (78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen), mimicking natural lightning phenomena.

Managing Temperature and Quality Control

• Water circulates around electrodes during operation to prevent overheating and potential explosions.

• After melting, slag (waste material) rises to the surface; its composition indicates the quality of recycled steel.

Adjusting Composition for Strength

• The quality of steel depends on slag analysis; specific chemical compositions must be achieved for industrial use.

Steel Production Process Insights

Efficient Composition and Safety Measures

• The client reports over 99% accuracy in achieving the correct composition for steel production after multiple injections of carbon, indicating a highly refined process.

• Operators must maintain a safe distance during the discharge of slag at temperatures reaching 1,600 degrees Celsius to prevent instant vaporization, highlighting the dangers involved in this stage.

• Expert control by operators ensures that slag is safely removed from the boiler; an opening is created to release 120 tons of refined steel within just 40 minutes.

• By the end of the day, workers aim to produce 9 million kilos of steel using an electric arc furnace, showcasing high productivity levels in steel manufacturing.