At Železiarne Podbrezová, we place great emphasis on technological reliability and continuous improvement of production processes. One of the most significant investments this year has been the modernization of steel plant equipment—specifically, the replacement of the furnace shell and the installation of new horizontal preheating systems.
We are pleased to announce that both pieces of equipment are now fully operational and delivering the expected results—higher efficiency, energy savings, and more reliable production.
New Furnace Shell – the Heart of the Electric Arc Furnace
The furnace shell is a steel structure that, once filled with refractory material, forms the main part of the electric arc furnace. This is where steel scrap—the foundation of future steel—is melted.
The new shell replaced one of the two previously used in production, which had served reliably for more than three decades. After years of intensive operation, wear and tear were inevitable, making this investment essential.
“After delivery and installation, minor structural adjustments were necessary, which went smoothly. Today, we can confirm that the new shell fully serves its purpose,” said Ivan Krajči, head of the Ceramics Department at the steel plant.
The equipment is currently under warranty, after which a thorough inspection of welds and capillary tests will be carried out. If all checks are satisfactory, the original shell-currently stored in a spare stand—will be dismantled.
“The installation of the shell was part of the steel plant’s medium repair. We paid attention to every detail and carefully compared everything with the technical drawings. After two completed campaigns, we can say the equipment works flawlessly,” added I. Krajči.
Horizontal Preheating Systems – Faster and More Efficient
Alongside the shell, new horizontal preheating systems were also installed as part of the modernization project. These are used to preheat the main casting ladles, which must reach the correct temperature before each use, as they receive molten steel at temperatures up to 1,600 °C from the EAF.
The new units replaced older preheating systems and brought several advantages:
- lower maintenance temperature during operation and downtime,
- faster heating to the required temperature,
- significant energy savings thanks to heat recovery (recuperation).
“Here too, we had to eliminate minor deficiencies and adapt the preheating systems to our production process. They are now operating at full capacity. The greatest benefit of this investment is energy savings and high heating efficiency,” added I. Krajči.
The exact energy savings will become evident after a longer period of operation, but even now it is clear that the modernization was a step in the right direction.
Investment in the Future
The modernization of the steel plant marks another step forward in increasing the efficiency, safety, and reliability of production. The new furnace shell and horizontal preheating systems are proof that Železiarne Podbrezová continues to invest in technologies that improve processes, conserve energy, and strengthen the company’s competitiveness.
Article written by: Podbrezovan
