Authors: C. Walker, K. Sutherland, B. Marshall, J.M.A. Geldenhuis, J. Els, N. Voermann and B. Wasmund
Proceedings of EMC 2007
Abstract
Highveld Steel and Vanadium operates a rotary-kiln, electric furnace (RKEF) smelter in South Africa to treat a vanadium bearing titaniferous magnetite ore for the production of pig iron and vanadium oxide products. Difficulties with power utilization and furnace stability have been encountered with the traditional submerged arc mode of operation employed on the furnaces. Hatch has been working with Highveld since the end of 2000 to improve the operation by converting the furnaces to partially open bath (POB) smelting mode.
A planned 6-week trial on Furnace 3 in September 2003 generated positive results which paved the way for the successful conversion of Furnace 5 to POB smelting mode during the first half of 2005. Based on the successful operation of Furnace 5, Furnace 6 is currently being upgraded to POB smelting mode, and plans are underway to convert Furnace 1 in the near future.
