Authors: T. Koehler, K. Wallace, F. Wheeler, F. Atkinson, Y. Gordon, D. Rudge, T. Ma
AISTech Conference 2010, Pittsburgh, USA, May 4, 2010
Abstract
Patented by Hatch, the essence of the Continuous Reduced Iron Steelmaking Process (CRISP) is the innovative use of a large stationary electric furnace for the continuous melting of DRI and conversion to steel. Although uncommon to the steel industry, this type of furnace is well established in other metals industries. The paper is focused on the key design considerations for the CRISP furnace, which are: furnace layout and sizing; charging arrangement; refractory and taphole design; furnace fume control, and furnace power supply. The main operational benefits of the CRISP furnace compared to a conventional electric arc furnace (EAF) include: improved metallic yield; stable electrical load; lower electrode consumption; increased annual furnace availability; decreased refractory consumption; lower energy requirement; and a smaller carbon footprint. The design and operational features, as well as capital and operating costs, of the CRISP furnace and an EAF
are compared.
