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Tenova Pyromet to Supply Furnace for Elkem Solar

04/17/2008 - Tenova Pyromet will supply a 3.5-MVA furnace featuring its Maxicool intensive cooling system for Elkem Solar.

Elkem Solar, a division of Elkem, which manufactured and supplied furnaces until around 15 years ago, has selected Tenova Pyromet for the supply of a 3.5-MVA furnace for its facility in Kristiansand, Norway.
 
Tenova Pyromet’s scope of supply covers the 3.5-MVA furnace, including the furnace roof, cooling system, tapholes, taphole drill and clay gun, and pre-baked graphite electrode system. Tenova Pyromet will also supply the raw materials handling system, secondary electrical system, and all instrumentation and controls.
 
The new installation will feature Pyromet’s Maxicool® system, incorporating a new-generation furnace controller and lining management system. Maxicool, an intensive cooling system, is designed for liquid-bath operations with heat loads of up to 500 kW/m2.
 
Unlike all previous Tenova Pyromet applications, this furnace will use special mineral-based oil as the cooling fluid. The use of mineral oil required a review and adjustment of the cooler design so it would accommodate the oil.
 
"The primary reason for using the oil is safety," said Tenova Pyromet Director Hugo Joubert. "While an oil leak may cause burning, it is slow enough to allow people to evacuate the site. Water, however, may cause an explosion and endanger lives." Cooling intensity was reviewed to ensure that the system is able to cope with the oil. The company said this innovation may be considered for other applications where safety is a vital issue.
 
The furnace is expected to be commissioned in June/July this year.
 
Tenova Pyromet and Elkem Solar signed a confidentiality agreement to protect the intellectual property of both parties, including new developments associated with this innovative project.
 
Tenova Pyromet has extensive experience in the design and construction of smelting plants and furnaces, both in South Africa and internationally. Tenova designs and supplies advanced technologies, products and services for the metal and mining industries. Tenova operates close to its customers through a network of 30 companies based in 16 countries.
 
Elkem is one of the world’s leading companies for environment-friendly production of metals and materials, with principal products including aluminum, energy, silicon metal, special alloys for the foundry industry, carbon and micro-silica.