Optimal Design of Secondary Fume Extraction Systems in Ferroalloys Production: from Principles to Operation

In ERAMET Norway AS (ENO) as one of the world’s largest producers of different grades of high manganese alloys, sustainable operation has always been a priority. There are therefore continuous activities in different plants of ENO in order to reduce environmental footprints of our operations. One of the main areas of focus in such activities has been reducing diffuse emissions through design and implementation of efficient fume extraction systems based on a systematic approach. Optimal design of secondary fume extraction systems in ferroalloys industry has always been challenging. The main reason for this, is the diffuse nature of emissions which are generated from different metallurgical processes. Although design of fume capturing systems based on principles of diffuse emissions extraction is the key for high performance capturing of generated fumes from molten slag and metal but there are several operational details, practical aspects and external parameters which should be taken care of them while making an industrial design. These aspects may cause deviation of a design from its ideal conditions because of the need for necessary modifications of the design. In order to make optimal design for secondary fume extraction systems with, having full overview on practical and operational aspects, applying industrial competences, using process information and operational data and applying proper modelling methods to evaluate performance of the system at each st ep, from initial idea to final design, are of great importance. In this work, principles for design of efficient secondary fume extraction systems, main reasons of deviation from best design in the industry and ENO’s practice based on the systematic approach for making an optimal design considering all operational restrictions, is presented.