ARTROM STEEL TUBES modernizes rotary hearth furnace with innovative SMS technology

ARTROM STEEL TUBES modernizes rotary hearth furnace with innovative SMS technology

ARTROM STEEL TUBES S.A., a European leader in the production of seamless steel pipes for industrial applications and a producer of continuous cast steel billets, has partnered with SMS group to modernize its 1990 rotary hearth furnace at its Slatina pipe mill and heat treatment line in Romania.

This project is part of an ambitious program developed by ARTROM during the last years to reduce energy consumption and polluting emissions.

The strategic purpose of this modernization is to reduce natural gas and CO2 emissions, lowering operating expenses and ensuring compliance with environmental norms through advanced burner technology.

The modernization project aims to revamp the existing rotary hearth furnace installed in the pipe mill and heat treatment line to reduce natural gas and CO2 emissions. It involves a comprehensive upgrade of the combustion system, including the installation of new SMS RADFlame burners with the Hydrogen Hybrid HY2 configuration and advanced automation systems.

SMS group’s Hydrogen Hybrid HY2 configuration offers all the benefits of SMS RADFlame with the additional fuel flexibility as it can be operated with natural gas with any hydrogen content (up to 100%) in the fuel mixture.

The SMS RADFlame is a flat flame roof burner with a single fuel inlet and specially designed air and gas diffusers to create optimal turbulence, reduce NOx emissions and provide modulating control. The burners have been specifically designed to fit into the existing furnace, ensuring seamless integration.

This upgrade has successfully reduced natural gas consumption and CO2 emissions by more than 45% as measured during the Performance Guarantee Test (PGT). This advanced technology results in reduced natural gas consumption, improved process control and substantially lower NOx emissions. The modernization project has been completed with the successful plant restart in September 2024.

The scope of supply from SMS group encompasses burners, automation systems and a comprehensive modernization of the combustion system, including technological equipment, electrical and automation (E&A) services and technical assistance. The entire furnace lining was replaced with state-of-the-art insulating materials from the manufacturer VESUVIUS GmbH, which ensures the highest degree of insulation available today and a longer lifetime.

ARTROM STEEL TUBES and SMS group have a long-standing relationship, dating back to the supply of a heat treatment plant for pipes in 2015. This modernization project further supports their partnership, positioning ARTROM STEEL TUBES for sustained growth and competitiveness in the market for seamless steel pipes for industrial applications.