Excavation and Analysis of a 31 MW SiMn-furnace at Eramet Kvinesdal

Abstract

The production of SiMn occurs inside a closed furnace at very high temperatures below several hundred tons of charge. Once a SiMn-furnace reaches its end-of-life an opportunity is given for the investigation of the furnace interior. This paper presents the excavation of a 31 MW SiMn-furnace and the following analysis of collected samples. Samples were analysed using SEM & EDSand XRF. The obtained results show large accumulations of carbides and nitrides in both active and inactive regions of the furnace. Additionally, a substantial amount of alkalis was observed. By using the results from the sample analysis, a sketch of the furnace interior is presented together with a description of the different regions.