• Next-level production flexibility in terms of raw material utilization
• Significantly reduced production costs 

Chinese special steel producer Huaigang Special Steel, a part of the Jiangsu Shagang Group, has recently granted the final acceptance certificate (FAC) to Primetals Technologies for an 80-ton EAF Quantum electric arc furnace, implemented at a site in Huai'an, Jiangsu province. The first heat was produced in January 2024, just five months after Primetals Technologies and Huaigang Special Steel commenced on-site installation works.

Tap-to-Tap Times of 32 Minutes

This EAF Quantum offers remarkable production flexibility, achieving single heats with tap-to-tap times of 32 minutes. In July, Huaigang operated the furnace on 25 percent hot metal and 75 percent scrap at a power consumption of 240 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per ton and an oxygen consumption of 23 to 25 cubic meters per ton. The following month, Huaigang switched to 100 percent scrap. Additionally, they have used a mix of 30 percent hot metal and 70 percent scrap, achieving power consumption figures of less than 230 kWh per ton. Huaigang also has the option to utilize 30 to 40 percent hot metal during the charging process.

Primetals Technologies has supplied Huaigang with key mechanical and electrics process equipment, as well as a Level 1 automation system, an automated charging process, automation systems for oxygen injection and sand filling, and a Level 2 automation system.

Outstanding Power Consumption Figures

In 2021, Jiangsu Shagang Group ordered its first EAF Quantum from Primetals Technologies. Positive experiences with this project contributed to their decision to order a second EAF Quantum in 2022. Huaigang Special Steel’s existing line produces 3.2 million tons of special steel annually. Focused on high-end special steels, such as spring steel and bearing steel, Huaigang is a leader in China’s special steel market. 

The flexible application of raw materials and the EAF Quantum’s high melting efficiency ensure the production of high-quality special steel products, further reducing melting power consumption to less than 230 kWh per ton for single heats and significantly shortening melting times. Compared with conventional EAF plants, production costs are reduced by more than 20 percent.

Exhaust Gas Used to Preheat Scrap

One of the most significant differences between conventional EAF plants and the EAF Quantum is the scrap preheating process. The EAF Quantum features a trapezoidal shaft and a scrap retention system. This design optimizes scrap distribution and allows exhaust gas to preheat scrap. As a result, the EAF Quantum requires less time and energy to melt scrap, reducing power consumption and increasing productivity due to shorter processing times. 
 

A part of Primetals Technologies’ on-site team commemorating the first heat at Huaigang’s new EAF Quantum electric arc furnace plant.