DESIGN, INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF THE NUCOR AUBURN ELECTRIC ARC FURNACE REPLACEMENT

摘要

The mini mill at Auburn has been in operation since 1975 utilizing a traditional spout-tap arc furnace and was acquired by Nucor in 2003. Continuous improvements in the electric arc furnace operation in both practices and equipment have been implemented through the years. These improvements included addition of a larger shell, copper water-cooled sidewalls, water-cooled roof, oxy-fuel burners, oxygen injection, baghouse improvements, a modern electrode regulator, and, most recently an EFSOP system as described in a paper at AISTech 2006. Despite all of the progress made, the arc furnace structure (platform, gantry and electrode operating mechanism) remained basically the same as originally supplied. However, an ROI analysis that considered energy improvements and lower cost to convert scrap to liquid metal prompted Nucor Steel's board to approve funds in 2005 for a complete furnace rebuild with installation to take place in the fall of 2006.