Industeel Belgium fits a shuttle hearth furnace with hydrogen-compatible burners
The modernisation of the furnace reduces CO₂ emissions and the consumption of fossil fuels whilst increasing efficiency. The flexible, low-emission burners can be operated either with gas or with a hydrogen content of up to 70 per cent.
Industeel Belgium (ArcelorMittal Group), a supplier of high-quality steel sheet, has awarded SMS the contract to modernise the lifting beam furnace, with a focus on sustainability, at the heavy plate rolling mill in Charleroi, Belgium. The lifting beam furnace at Industeel Belgium, originally installed in 1969, is a reheating furnace used to bring steel sheets up to the temperature required for further processing. The modernisation is intended to reduce CO₂ emissions by cutting average fossil fuel consumption by 25 per cent.
With this project, Industeel Belgium is taking a further step towards sustainable corporate development. According to SMS, by focusing on reducing emissions generated by fossil fuels and the CO₂ footprint of the entire plant, the modernisation will improve the reheating furnace’s environmental performance. The scope of the modernisation includes a complete refurbishment of the furnace, the installation of a high-performance heat recovery system, and the integration of innovative RADFlame HY2 burners from SMS, flat burners and X-Pact Prometheus, a control system for the combustion of fossil fuels.
Hydrogen content of up to 70 per cent
The integration of SMS RADFlame HY2 burners into the travelling beam furnace allows operation with natural gas and a hydrogen content of up to 70 per cent, thus offering a high degree of flexibility in fuel use. These burners produce a flat, uniform and easily controllable flame shape, which enables a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions. Furthermore, the system will reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and cut nitrogen oxide emissions to below 65 ppm, thereby setting a new standard for environmentally friendly furnace operation.
To improve operational efficiency, the modernisation includes a new high-performance heat exchanger for preheating the combustion air, as well as high-quality refractory materials in the kiln to optimise savings on fossil fuels. The X-Pact Prometheus combustion control system allows the heating process to be precisely controlled, which, according to SMS, results in reduced energy losses and an increase in the furnace’s overall performance. It ensures the quality of the heating process and its repeatability, thereby minimising scrap and the need for post-rolling product reworking.
By tailoring all technical solutions to Industeel’s specific requirements, SMS is ensuring maximum efficiency and minimum downtime during the modernisation of the walking beam furnace. The modernisation is scheduled for completion in summer 2026.
Source: SMS group