Energy saving in walking beam furnaces by a new concept for skid pipe insulation

Increasing energy costs and targets for the reduction of CO2 emissions provide a constant challenge for all high temperature process users to optimise their processes. New technical solutions are required to improve energy efficiency reduce energy consumption and reduce CO2 emissions. The target of ArcelorMittal Bremen GmbH, Germany, and Andritz FBB GmbH is to optimise the hot rolling process from an energy point of view. This paper discusses how energy consumption and energy loss can be reduced in reheating furnaces of hot rolling mills by using new lightweight refractory materials and a new lining concept for the skid pipe insulation.