Edwards is highlighting the economic and environmental benefits of dry mechanical vacuum pumping systems for steel degassing processes at the China Steel Making Conference 2014, a biennial event hosted by the China Society for Metals and hosted in the city of Xi’an, from May 21- 23. The central message from Edwards is that dry pumping vacuum systems provide numerous advantages for steel degassing processes, and the technology supersedes the use of steam ejectors.

Dry pumps have proved they can reduce energy costs by as much as 97%, compared to steam ejectors. High reliability and dependable performance are also key factors, given the exceptional demands that secondary metallurgy processes can make on vacuum equipment. Higher pumping speeds, lower ultimate vacuum, minimal maintenance and lower environmental impact all lend further weight to the case for mechanical dry pumps.

Edwards’ first major success in vacuum for secondary metallurgy for the production of high quality steel sector was at ChongQing Iron and Steel, the first RH (Ruhrstahl Heraeus) mechanical pump installation in the world. Since then, Edwards has consistently increased its installed base in China, and over the past 12 months the company has secured three major wins for further VD (Vacuum Decarburisation) and RH-OB (Ruhrstahl Heraeus Oxygen Blowing) installations.

“Edwards has a growing presence in China,” said Anke Teeuwsen, Global Market Sector Manager Steel Degassing, at Edwards. “While China remains the undisputed world leader in steel production in terms of volume, the country is seeking to make its steel industry more efficient. Edwards has a central role to play in that process as steam ejectors are replaced by mechanical vacuum systems, and we are absolutely committed to making that transition work to the benefit of each and every player here.”

Anke Teeuwsen is giving two presentations at the conference; on day one she will discuss the economic and environmental advantages of dry mechanical systems versus steam ejectors, and on the second day of the conference she will focus on the optimization of dry mechanical vacuum pumping systems.

Edwards offers a range of optimized modular dry vacuum solutions, at all heat sizes, for steel degassing applications such as RH-OB, VD-OB (Vacuum Decarburisation Oxygen Blowing), and VOD (Vacuum Oxygen Decarburisation). Edwards has a clear edge in the supply of mechanical vacuum pumps for the steel industry, with a wealth of globally obtained background experience, and the company now has the largest installed base of dry pumps in the steel industry worldwide.

Edwards will draw on that extensive experience when it participates in the conference proceedings. The focus will be on Edwards’ MAXX skid products for steel degassing. Edwards’ new modular MAXX skid is built on the company’s profound understanding of its customers’ applications and its expertise in providing dry vacuum solutions for secondary metallurgy.