Can-Eng Furnaces International Limited is pleased to announce the successful start-up of an atmosphere roller hearth reduction furnace at North American Hoganas in Niagara Falls, New York. The unit, of high temperature furnace construction, was the first of its kind to be built in nearly 50 years. This electrically heated unit has the capability of reducing iron oxide powder to sponge iron in a 100 % hydrogen environment flowing at high capacity.
In addition to the furnace, Can-Eng supplied a H2 recycle system, consisting of an energy efficient heat recovery unit, spray towers, and auxiliary equipment for the purposes of decreasing the dewpoint of the process hydrogen atmosphere. A Preheat Furnace System was also supplied to heat the recycled hydrogen to near process temperature. The entire plant, measuring 200’ x 100’ x 50’ high, is arranged in a compact footprint making use of the existing building under truss space. The continuous roller hearth furnace employed unique sealing arrangements on the charge and discharge openings as well as a special gasket system on all rollers. The system came complete with LEVEL II Automation software from Can-Eng.