To address this pressing need and increase awareness about transitioning from fossil fuels to sustainable alternatives in industrial heating, Swerim, a leading metals research institute, recently hosted an enlightening webinar titled "Fossil-free Heating." This online event featured presentations from various industry experts, including Thomas Helander, an R&D specialist from Kanthal.
Kanthal: Leading the charge in electrifying industrial heating
Thomas Helander, R&D specialist, Kanthal.Kanthal has established itself as a renowned provider of a comprehensive range of industrial heating products and systems, encompassing both raw materials and finished products. What sets Kanthal apart is its extensive R&D expertise in high-temperature materials and applications. As an industry leader, Kanthal offers the newest iteration of electric heating systems as a viable alternative to gas burners, facilitating an effective transition for the industry.
During the webinar, Helander shed light on five significant advantages of electrification over fossil fuel heating:
- Exceptional Efficiency: Electrified heating processes can achieve up to 95% efficiency levels, ensuring maximum energy utilization.
- Thermal Emissions Reduction: Electrification eliminates thermal NOx and SOx emissions, contributing to cleaner air and a healthier environment.
- Safety and Quietness: Electric heating offers a safer and quieter production environment, reducing operational risks and noise pollution.
- Precise Temperature Control: Electric heating systems provide excellent temperature control, optimizing industrial processes for enhanced productivity and product quality.
- Minimal CO2 Emissions: When powered by renewable energy sources, electrified heating processes produce nearly zero CO2 emissions, aligning with sustainability goals.
Key enablers of electrification
Helander emphasized that the transition from gas to electric heating is facilitated by Kanthal's unique range of metallic and ceramic materials, including NiCr, FeCrAl, SiC, and MoSi2. These materials cover a broad spectrum of temperatures and atmospheres, allowing for tailored solutions that meet specific customer needs.
Success Stories: Electrical heating in action
During his presentation, Helander showcased several case studies where Kanthal's electrified heating solutions were successfully implemented in various downstream steel processes. These included continuous annealing lines, pit furnaces for ingot heating, walking beam furnaces for billet preheating, and car bottom furnaces for ingot heating.
These solutions have significantly reduced CO2 emissions and offer operational benefits such as improved efficiency, temperature control, and working environments.
Sweden paving the way
The session provided an updated summary of ongoing activities to achieve fossil-free heating operations in the Swedish steel industry. It was evident that Sweden is currently leading the way in pioneering technology for fossil-free heating.
After the webinar, Helander commented, "Participants found the webinar to be exciting, with important research topics and ambitious industry initiatives discussed. The session provided an updated summary of ongoing activities to achieve fossil-free heating operations in the Swedish steel industry. It was evident that Sweden is currently leading the way in pioneering technology for fossil-free heating."
The urgent need to decarbonize the industrial sector has never been more apparent, and the transition to electrified heating processes represents a promising path forward. Kanthal, with its expertise and sustainable solutions, stands at the forefront of this movement, offering a greener alternative, improved efficiency, and operational advantages. As the world strives to limit global warming and reduce its carbon footprint, the electrification of industrial heating processes is a critical step towards a more sustainable future.