6 electric arc furnaces from Danieli launched in China in the last 2 months

Zerobucket EAF was put into operation at Qiananshi Jiujiang, Zhejiang Yuxin, Heyuan Derun, Baoshan I&S and Baosteel Xinyu plants

Technology provider Danieli has launched 6 Zerobucket electric arc furnaces (EAFs) in China over the past 2 months. This is stated in the company’s press release.

The Zerobucket units are equipped with a unique continuous scrap feeding system that provides low CO2 emissions and energy savings, as well as Q-Reg technology. The unit’s capacity is 210-330 tonnes of steel per hour.

The newest EAFs have been launched at Qiananshi Jiujiang (2 units), Zhejiang Yuxin, Heyuan Derun, Baoshan I&S and Baosteel Xinyu. In addition, another Zerobucket electric arc furnace will soon be launched in Hebei Puyang. The unit is currently undergoing cold testing.

The Danieli Zerobucket is the most flexible electric arc furnace available, allowing for a wide range of charge mixtures, including pig iron, DRI, HBI and scrap. At the same time, the unit can operate with charge containing up to 80% pig iron, replacing converters.

The furnaces are controlled by Danieli automation systems, including the advanced Q-Reg electrode controller with melt profile optimisation.

The two Zerobucket electric arc furnaces commissioned at Qiananshi Jiujiang are part of a four-package order from the customer. In total, since 2018, Danieli has received 29 orders for Zerobucket EAFs in China, 19 of which are already in operation.

According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), local authorities in China approved 7.1 million tonnes of new steel capacity in the first half of 2024. These are more environmentally friendly scrap-based electric arc furnace (EAF) projects.

At the same time, no new coal-based steel projects were approved in the country during the period. This could mark a turning point for the Chinese steel industry in terms of stopping new investments in coal-fired capacity.