Fives has completed its first PREMIX oxygen enrichment project on an existing billet reheating furnace at SN Maia Siderurgia Nacional in Maia, Portugal.
This marks a milestone in its efforts to optimise furnace performance and improve energy efficiency.
SN Maia Siderurgia Nacional, the largest rebar production plant of the MEGASA Group – a European steelmaker, was looking to install a new oxygen system to reduce natural gas consumption, having the possibility to produce oxygen on site at a lower cost.
The project was entrusted to Fives Steel Spain, which had previously modified the combustion system of the same furnace.
The company developed a new technology called Premix, which injects additional oxygen into the combustion air duct upstream of the burners.
Oxygen levels were increased to 25% with around 6% fuel savings, exceeding initial energy efficiency expectations.
Koldobika Tafalla González, Services & Technical Expertise Director at Fives Steel Spain, said: “The solution was designed to be easily integrated and have a minimal impact on the plant's production.
"We were able to perform the majority of the installation while the furnace was still running, ensuring that production continued smoothly and without significant delays."