The companies revealed the two EAFs regularly accomplish 50 heats per day, breaking the record in electric steelmaking. Both furnaces consistently have tap-to-tap times of less than 28 minutes with power-on and power-off times of about 25 and 3 minutes, respectively. They estimate the machine has power consumption of less than 312 kilowatt hours per metric ton and oxygen consumption below 24 cubic meters per metric ton. 

The EAF Quantum’s features include an offgas utilization system, scrap preheating and the FAST system. These solutions lead to lower operating costs and reduced CO2 emissions, the company said. 

Primetals Technologies said it holds several patents for the EAF Quantum including for its shaft design and automatic taphole sand-filling system. 

Hubei Shunle originally placed the order for two EAF Quantum furnaces and two ladle furnaces in 2018. Primetals Technologies delivered mechanical and electrical equipment, level 1 and 2 automation systems, automated scrap yard management, automated charging processes, and systems for oxygen injection and sand refilling. 

The company produces screw thread steels, steel wires, steel tubes, carbon steel, alloy steel and stainless steel. They are working with Primetals Technologies to expand their partnerships into innovative technology applications, green steel technology implementation and integrating smart manufacturing solutions. 

The company said the plant produces 2 million metric tons of high-strength seismic rebars annually.