Why is Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) Dust so difficult to convey?
The EAF dust generated in a combustion process by electric arc furnaces employed in steelmaking is a hazardous material containing many heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, zinc, etc. These materials are not only hazardous requiring safe and reliable methods of conveying and disposal but they are also highly abrasive and poorly flowing. Furthermore EAF dust can have high moisture content. As a result EAF dust is a challenge to convey and special considerations must be applied to the way the material is fed as well as conveyed. The best way to convey EAF dust is using dense-phase pneumatic conveying which has the ability to convey EAF dust reliably with an added benefit of minimizing pipe wear.
We have been working for years with various steel industries providing solutions to their unique conveying requirements associated with EAF dust. In a recent project 28 of our Ashveyors are installed on a common 4” conveying pipeline to receive material from the customer’s EAF Baghouse. Rotary air locks feed material to through screw conveyors, which in turn deliver the dust to small feed hoppers located above the Ashveyors®. The Ashveyors® are arranged in 4 lines of 7 vessels with the further 2 units located at the Spark Arrestor Collectors. Our robust Dome Valves®, capable of providing a completely seal tight enclosure, ensure a reliable process. This project is the second largest EAF dust project awarded to us this year. The systems will be supplied to a reputable international engineering house, and will be operational in the US in early 2016.
Learn how we can assist in your EAF conveying process.
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Contact Macawber Engineering, Inc. | Pneumatic Conveying Systems | Macawber