Electric arc furnace, SSAB (Sweden)

SSAB EMEA AB awarded SMS group the contract for engineering, delivery, construction, and erection of electric steelmaking technologies at its Oxelösund steelworks in Sweden.

The new EAF will be one of the largest installations in the world and will produce high-quality liquid steel, facilitating SSAB's smooth transition from the integrated route to the electric route.

SMS group is working to supply  a 190-ton AC-Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) capable of processing various raw materials, including fossil-free Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) or Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI), and scrap enabling SSAB to decarbonize production processes while retaining flexibility to adapt to market fluctuations. A powerful 280 MVA transformer will provide the required level of electrical energy, coupled with the most advanced technology to reduce the impact to the grid.

SMS group also supplies the complete automation including the slag handling and Eccentric Bottom Tapping (EBT) operations, the advanced electrode control X-Pact^® SynReg, which, together with advanced robotics applications, such as the X-Pact^® Sampler, ensure operational safety as well as better precision and productivity  without human intervention.

The automation system for the new plant is setup in the X-Pact^® Plug & Work test center in Mönchengladbach, Germany, connected with a virtual process and production simulation. This concept of integration testing allows for a shorter ramp-up, high product quality and a stable production environment. During the X-Pact^® Plug & Work integration test, SMS group experts will provide training for SSAB's personnel.

The implemented process control and automation ensure a reliable "tap to tap time" (t-t-t), resulting in higher production efficiency. Side-wall burners, lime/carbon injectors and off-gas analyzers guarantee optimized chemical energy utilization.

The scope of supply further includes an unparalleled yard management system for plant-wide raw material handling with efficient tracking and noise reduction thanks to an exceptionally large number of special containers.

Additionally, SMS group’s Digital Twin for SSAB incorporating Genius CM and DataXpert, will provide the digital representation of the EAF, serving as a centralized interface for predictive maintenance purposes.

EPC project comprising the following units:

• 1x 190t EAF (Upper shell diameter : 9.3 m, )
• Robots (T&S, RR)
• Spray cooled shell, roof, combustion chamber
• Material handling system
• Fume treatment plant incl. bag filter plant
• 2x transfer cars (ladle + shell maintenance)
• Utility system incl. pumps for spray system
• Electrics and Automation incl. Plug&Work
• Digital twin
• Logistics system (Raw material handling) - digital
• Water treatment plant
• Power supply + furnace transformer
• Erection

Production capacity and performance

• Tapping weight: 190 ton

• Total capacity: 290 ton