Identification And Analysis Of Energy Saving Opportunities For Reheat Furnace At Devki Steel Rolling Mills

Abstract

This study seeks to identify energy cost saving measures that if implemented can cut down on energy consumption. In this study, the areas identified, analyzed and evaluated for energy efficiency improvement and cost savings include; the upgrade of the damaged furnace door, proper lagging of combustion air pipes, furnace wall and recuperator and billet preheating. The processes in steel mills will be discussed with an emphasis on energy consumption, current prevalent practices in the industry and potential measures for energy use and cost savings elaborated. The results from an energy analysis at Devki steel mills Ruiru will be presented using tables and graphs. This study which is an energy analysis of Devki steel mills reheat furnace will be based on the following research objective; to assess the energy efficiency of reheat furnace and analyze the feasibility of waste heat recovery of reheat furnace. This will be achieved through identification and quantification of energy losses through reheat furnace efficiency calculation and the evaluation of feasibility of billet preheating by energy recovered from flue gases. A feasibility analysis for the areas identified for improvements which are; the upgrade of the reheat furnace door, proper lagging of recuperator, furnace wall and combustion air pipes and billet preheating will be carried out. Data obtained will be analyzed and presented with suitable illustration tables, charts and diagrams which will then be benchmarked with other world class steel rolling companies. This will then be scrutinized for ways to cut energy use, reduce waste and thereby reduce production costs