The collaboration between CELSA and SMS group was launched in 2021 with the aim of increasing energy efficiency in the electric arc furnace process, reducing CO₂ and NOx emissions, and implementing advanced automation technologies. Following the performance delivered by the Condoor® system first installed on EAF #1, it was decided to equip EAF #2 with the same technology.
According to trial results, the Condoor® system has made the cleaning of the slag tunnel fully automatic, eliminating the need for operators to be present on the platform. The powerful hydraulic pusher mechanism ensures precise control of the slag discharge time, while the cleaning cycle duration has been significantly shortened. This has reduced downtime and increased production efficiency. In addition, using the same system on both electric arc furnaces has simplified training, maintenance, and spare-parts management.
The commissioning of the Condoor® system has also contributed to CELSA’s sustainability objectives. With the elimination of manual intervention at the slag door and the reduction in gas and oxygen consumption, the system has been stated to align with the goals of the European Green Deal. The implementation also matches SMS group’s “Lights Out” approach, which aims for high automation and low environmental impact.
Within the scope of the project, SMS group specialists ensured the reliable installation of the hydraulic and automation systems, while CELSA teams carried out the necessary adaptations to the furnace structure, water circuits, and hydraulic platforms. It was reported that the work—from factory acceptance tests in Italy to the installation process in Barcelona—was completed within the planned schedule thanks to coordination between the teams.
During the trial productions, the system demonstrated high performance across different heats and met expectations in terms of efficiency, safety, and operational reliability. The commissioning of Condoor® 2 was emphasized as an important step in the joint efforts of CELSA and SMS group toward safer, greener, and more efficient steel production.
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