Picture: The temperature and composition of the molten metal in a ladle furnace directly affect the quality of the final product. Luxmet’s ArcSpecLF monitors both in real-time, using Optical Emission Spectroscopy.
SSAB is a global leader in special and premium steels, redefining the future of steel and leading the transformation in the industry. SSAB Raahe has a crude steel production capacity of 2.6 million tonnes and specializes in high-strength steels, including quenched & tempered steels and advanced high-strength steels.
Luxmet carried out a comprehensive measurement campaign at SSAB’s ladle furnace in Raahe, Finland, using an Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES) system. The main slag components, CaO, SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and MgO, were consistently identified, and their proportions could be tracked in real time as the process evolved.
“The campaign indicated that Luxmet’s OES technology is suitable for real-time slag analysis in ladle furnace applications. This work highlights how data-driven process monitoring can support productivity, safety, and sustainability”, says Jarmo Lilja, Process Development Manager, SSAB Europe.
“Using the system in a side-by-side furnace process can help ensure consistent product quality, optimize the use of alloying agents, and prevent excessive liner wear. Together, these benefits lead to significant cost savings.”, says Emilia Rontti, Head of Operations, Luxmet.
Luxmet utilizes OES for process monitoring and control. It distinguishes various spectra within the furnace, including thermal radiation, alkali peaks, and atomic emissions. Continuous real-time measurements are taken from the furnace roof using a self-cleaning and durable measurement head. The data is processed at a safe distance from the furnace and transmitted to the process control system.
Further information:
Pekka Huhtala, Business Development Manager
Email: pekka.huhtala@luxmet.fi
Phone: +358 50 436 0522
About SSAB
SSAB is a Nordic- and US-based steel company that is building a stronger, lighter and more
sustainable world through refined steel products and services. Together with their partners, SSAB has developed SSAB Fossil-free™ steel and plans to reinvent the value chain from the mine to the end customer, virtually eliminating carbon emissions from their own operations. SSAB Zero™, a largely carbon-emission-free steel based on recycled steel, further strengthens SSAB’s leading position and their comprehensive sustainable offering independent of the raw material. SSAB has employees in more than 50 countries and production facilities in Sweden, Finland and the United States. SSAB is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and on Nasdaq Helsinki as a secondary list.
About Luxmet
Luxmet offers real-time control solutions based on analysis of light for high-temperature industrial processes such as electric furnaces, smelters, kilns, welding, and other metals processing. Luxmet’s unique and patented technology, based on OES, enhances process control, safety, and productivity in steel and other metals production and processing. A spin-off from the University of Oulu, Luxmet is the global leader in OES-based real-time control solutions for the heavy industry.
