Optimising Ladle Furnace Operations by Controlling the Heat Loss of Casting Ladles

by Mario Taddeo

Publisher - ISOMAG, Canada

Category - General Novel

Minimising the liquid steel temperature loss of casting ladles can reduce costs and increase productivity at the Ladle Furnace (LF). An option for achieving this is through the use of a proven insulation material contained within the refractory lining. Calculated studies using simple heat transfer programs and finite element analysis show significant potential savings. This paper reviews two case studies at different steel plants where a standard refractory lining was compared with one that included a refractory insulation board (ISOMAG® 70XCO). Measurements were carried out on the liquid steel temperature loss and electricity consumption at the LF. The refractory lining with ISOMAG insulation was proven to minimize heat loss and produced the following benefits: • Up to 10oC higher liquid steel temperature arriving at the LF, • From 0.6 to 2.7oC/min liquid steel temperature loss reduction on the standard practice, • An average of 10.5% electricity saving at the LF. The actual data also confirm that the LF electricity consumption is in the first place a function of the parking time, treatment time, steel grade and thermal conductivity of the refractory lining. The optimization of the heat loss through the refractory lining then offers greater process flexibility and productivity thanks to a shorter heating time and a lower overall energy consumption.

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