The scope of the supply includes the latest generation of the EAF unit, which will replace the existing one. Tenova will also provide the associated auxiliary equipment, the material handling system, including bins batteries, hoppers and conveyor belts, for the charging of the ladle and of the EAF and the complete automation system. The complete management of this plant will be fully automatised and integrated in the new the EAF process control system.
The new EAF will guarantee thus an increase in the plant’s hourly melt shop production rate and the effectiveness and reliability in the production of high-quality steel and stainless steel.
The new automation system brings several advantages, which will considerably enhance the level of efficiency of the plant. In particular, it guarantees the correct and effective execution of the working cycle in relation to the production of different steel grades. It also optimises the working parameters and the storage of production data. In addition, the safety of the operators in the plant is significantly improved and the system complies with the most stringent safety standards.
The new EAF will be equipped with Tenova’s state-of-the-art electronic regulation TDRH 4.0 (Tenova Digital Electronic Regulation) system. TDRH 4.0 can provide a significant reduction in the electrical consumption of the EAF itself and ensures excellent arc stability. This updated version has additional features mainly dedicated to self-diagnostic, faults identification and compensation, as well as auto-calibration (self-learning) and adjustment of the regulation parameters. These functions aim to preserve the optimised electrodes regulation performances over the time.
“Our long-lasting relationship with the Valbruna Group is witnessed by several projects in its plants in Italy (Vicenza and Bolzano), where we implemented some of our technologies to increase safety, sustainability and production”, stated Marco Longobardo, Digital Products Manager in Tenova. “This is also the aim of this new project in Canada, where the plant will be a technological reference in North America for the production of stainless steel.”