Advanced Operational Control of a Reheat Furnace With Laser-Based Combustion Feedback

Reheat furnace combustion control is an overlooked opportunity for fuel savings and steel quality improvements. With increases in gas and energy costs, fuel efficiency is critical for maintaining viable steel production. Despite this, typical reheat firing schemes use limited mass flow indicators and control logic resulting in high levels of excess O2 (4–8%) and extra fuel consumption worth hundreds of thousands annually. A solution is presented for zone-based combustion monitoring using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy lasers. It is demonstrated at a large mill to identify poor burner calibrations and target firebox corrections. Control logic updates are planned to further reduce fuel consumption.

Eric Huelson | Koch Engineered Solutions
 

Jonathon Richards | Tata Steel
 

Eric Huelson | Koch Engineered Solutions
 

Guillaume Tiffon | OnPoint Digital Solutions