Edwards has partnered with two major steel contractors to supply dry pumping vacuum technology for vacuum degassing (VD). Edwards is one of the most experienced suppliers in the market for dry vacuum pumping systems and this depth of expertise enables our technical specialists to understand and provide solutions to customers’ application challenges.
Instrumental in the decision making process was the ease of installation and excellent reliability of Edwards’ pumps. Anke Teeuwsen, Market Sector Manager for Steel Degassing at Edwards commented, “The trend is for mechanical vacuum systems in VD to handle even bigger tonnages and we are proud to support the largest installations with our proven technology”.
Edwards has delivered and is now in the process of commissioning the two major orders for standard steel degassing modules, which will enable the end users to produce high quality steel using the VD process, in a cost effective and environmentally friendly way. Coincidentally both sets of modules are for the same size system, capable of degassing 200 tonne batches of liquid steel. This makes them among the largest in the world using dry pump technology.
One set of modules is in the largest steel plant in the Czech Republic, the second order is in a modern steel plant in the Middle East. Both contractors made the decision to choose Edwards’ dry pumping solutions based on the fact that there are hundreds of Edwards pump combinations running in more than 45 steel degassing plants worldwide, making Edwards the most experienced supplier in the market. Edwards has the largest installed base of dry pumps in the global steel industry, including the world’s largest mechanical vacuum pumping system, in China.
Increasingly mechanical dry pumps are replacing traditional steam ejectors as the vacuum technology of choice. Lower running costs, higher pumping speeds, minimal maintenance and lower environmental impact all lend weight to the case for mechanical dry pumps. The savings in energy costs from using dry mechanical pumps are high compared to steam ejectors.
About Edwards
Edwards is a leading developer and manufacturer of sophisticated vacuum products, abatement systems and related value-added services. These are integral to manufacturing processes for semiconductors, flat panel displays, LEDs and solar cells; are used within an increasingly diverse range of industrial processes including power, glass and other coating applications, steel and other metallurgy, pharmaceutical and chemical; and for both scientific instruments and a wide range of R&D applications.
Edwards has over 3,200 full-time employees and 500 temporary workers operating in approximately 20 countries worldwide engaged in the design, manufacture and support of high technology vacuum and exhaust management equipment.