ArcelorMittal, the world’s number one steel producer, has selected ABB’s SpectraFlow online cross-belt analyzer solution for its Bremen plant
Baden, Switzerland, July 25, 2008 – ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, announced today that their SpectraFlow BM100 analyzer is to be installed at ArcelorMittal’s Bremen plant in Germany. SpectraFlow will provide the plant with online and real time chemical composition analysis of the feed as well as providing data about the carbon content of the feed. ArcelorMittal’s goal is to provide the leadership that will transform tomorrow’s steel industry. In keeping with this goal there is a natural fit between ABB and ArcelorMittal being the first steel company in the world to use the SpectraFlow solution. Installation is scheduled for July 2008.
The Bremen plant is currently implementing a program to ensures that their existing plant equipment is used to its full capability and that product quality is optimized to the best possible level. With the current method of material analysis there is a three hour wait between taking a sample and receiving the chemical composition analysis. With the SpectraFlow system, early measurement of the sinter composition is made by already detecting the sinter mix analysis. This enables the operator to adjust the mix by, for example, variation of the limestone rate. As a result, operation and product quality become more stable. Furthermore an increase in productivity can be achieved as improved process stability supports optimization activities.
SpectraFlow was launched to the market in the middle of 2007 and already there are numerous installations providing safe, online, real time bulk analysis. SpectraFlow is powered by SOLBAS™ technology which uses Near Infra-Red Spectroscopy (NIRS) to provide the chemical composition data, meaning no radioactive sources are required by the analyzer. The SpectraFlow analyzer solution can be used on any conveyor belt, regardless of width or belt composition and does not require specialist or additional operating licences.
ABB's suite of Collaborative Production Management (www.abb.com/cpm and www.abb.com/cement) products, which includes Expert Optimizer, Knowledge Manager and SpectraFlow provide productivity improvements to process automation companies.
ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs more than 110,000 people.