Steel Electric Arc Furnace

Application

Steel electric-arc furnace. Two EAFs, with direct and canopy evacuation systems, serviced by a 400,000 cfm Wheelabrator shaker baghouse, with 9 oz woven polyester bags.

Optimization Potential

High pressure drops (greater than 12" H2O) allowed only 275,000 cfm through the system, even after completion of several baghouse improvements. The meltshop atmosphere was unhealthy, and the poor visibility limited production.

Solution

After trials of several filter media, GORE® membrane/woven polyester fabric filter bags were chosen. The installation was completed by February 1988. There were no other changes to the baghouse.

Results

Pressure drop has been reduced to approximately 4-5" H2O at an actual net air-to-cloth ratio of 2/1. Even after several system upsets, system airflow has increased 50 percent (over 400,000 cfm). The meltshop atmosphere is very clean, with visibility near 100 percent. The customer has saved several million dollars by eliminating the need to buy a new baghouse.