AC Furnaces – track record

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BATEMAN joins forces with COMETVA SA to market the latest technology in electrode columns for AC furnaces

BATEMAN has signed a collaboration agreement with COMETVA SA, providing clients of both companies the option of utilising the new hydraulic electrode-clamping device from BATEMAN, together with forged copper electrode components, sold under the brand COFOR, from COMETVA SA. This agreement therefore provides the industry with access, through a single source, to the latest technology and improvements in electrode columns.

Bateman electrode column for UMSL, India

BATEMAN has been awarded a contract to supply an electrode column to Utkal Manufacturing & Services Ltd (UMSL) in India for their new 27 MVA submerged-arc, high-carbon ferrochrome furnace.

New furnace electrode-clamping device offers improved
process control

BATEMAN's new electrode-clamping device for furnace installations offers the ferroalloy industry significant benefits, including no lubrication required after installation and minimal maintenance; low operator involvement; minimal wear on moving parts and much faster slipping rates for better process control, compared to the previous electro-mechanical drive units. An order for the new device has already been received from an international client.

Numerical modelling reduces engineering costs

The benefits of numerical modelling in quickly verifying design improvements and optimisations, thus reducing the time from design to installation, was again demonstrated in recent work by BATEMAN on a new electrode pressure ring with an improved heat-dissipation capacity. The ring is for application on Söderberg electrodes in AC-arc furnaces.

Ferrometals' Furnace 4 upgraded to 60 MVA

BATEMAN has completed an upgrade of Ferrometals' Furnace 4 (F4) in Witbank, RSA, for Newsam Pty Ltd (a joint venture between Samancor and Poschrome) to increase the furnace's production capacity from 100 000 t/yr of ferrochrome to
125 000 t/yr.

SA Ferrochrome exceeds criteria in performance tests

The newly installed furnaces and sintering plant at SA Ferrochrome exceeded performance and design criteria in performance tests recently completed by BATEMAN. In addition, following commissioning, monthly targets were increased constantly.