RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:LKAB / SSAB -- > Monday, August 31 The pilot plant starts !!I do not agree that any torch client will forego modelling
Fitst: the study was not intended to produce a model of an existing plant
"1.2 Aim
The aim of this project is to make an assessment of the possibilities for utilizing electricity
to supply the required energy for the heat treatment in the iron ore pelletization process
at LKAB. More specifically the work will focus on:
• Supplying the high-temperature heat requirement using plasma torches in the straightgrate
process
• Finding possible application areas where microwaves could provide low-temperature
heat input to the straight-grate process
• Evaluating how the implementation of electric heating affects process conditions,
energy efficiency, emissions (CO2 and NOx) and quality of the finished pellets
• Finding new potential for process optimization as a result of the implementation of
electric heating"
Second: All plants are different. Each has it's own process flow sheet which will have to be adapted to the new energy source. Air flows will change obliging equipmemnt to be resized by modifications and/or replacement and NOx will have to be addressed too. Expect at least 6 months of detailed engineering before new equipment can be defined/specified . Then there will be the time to build that equipment and deliver it . Much work will be required before we will see a start-up with PYR torches. The transition may turn out to be gradual. Find the easiest place to install one or more test/demonstration units and do a full blown all out transition several years in the future with units that benefit from real field experience. Remeber what's there now works. Any change will have some risk. Do you think anyone will risk their job/career on an unproven technology ? I don't.