Electric Arc Furnace & Ladle Metallurgy
With extremely high air volumes and massive processing equipment and production, Electric Arc Furnace applications are most complicated and uniquely challenging. One plant may need to lower baghouse or meltshop emissions to stay in compliance or to permit for new equipment, another may need to reduce static pressure and resistance at the baghouse. Either way, the name of the game is to maximize production and reduce operating costs. Below are EAF applications where GORE-TEX® Filtration Products, with Gore’s ability to fine tune systems, have been successfully implemented. These high performance filters have made reduced operating costs and increased production a reality for these steel plants. More importantly, Gore’s expertise, system knowledge, and technical service enabled the plants to exceed their goals.
Ferro-Alloy
Like mini-mills, ferro-alloy plants are faced with critically interdependent equipment and ventilating large air volumes. A bottleneck in the baghouse can mean thousands of dollars daily in lost production. Further, ferro-silicon or silicon-metal processes can generate dangerous levels of static charge in the dust collector, making maintenance even more of a safety concern. GORE® Filtration Products' exceedingly long filter life has given ferro-alloy producers the steady-state production they need. Gore has successfully teamed with its ferro-alloy customers by applying these high durability/high performance filters and working with them to balance the total airflow process. In addition to the reinforced filter construction and low emissions/high strength membranes, Gore has developed new materials that reduce the static charge build-up common to some of these applications.
Lead & Battery
Primary lead smelters, battery recyclers and manufacturers are held to the strictest of regulations. Producers are concerned with remaining productive and cost-effective, while reducing out-of-compliance risk. Lead smelters benefit from the high durability, rugged construction and chemically inert characteristics of Gore’s high durability filter products. This allows them to achieve low emission rates while maximizing gas flow rates and minimizing operational costs. Lead oxide producers benefit from the consistent and predictable performance of GORE® membrane filter products which allows them to increase productivity and improve product quality. Gore’s unique membranes and filter constructions give lead manufacturers a new degree of confidence in their emissions control and productivity.
Foundry
Foundries, a centuries-old industry, have modernized their equipment and processing with techniques like automated casters, refined sand/mold systems, and lost foam. Heavy metals and silica handling have made emissions control a critical component of their processes. Foundry ventilation systems face additional challenges from batch processing and moisture. Gore has kept up with this industry and its challenges by developing new high durability and high flow membrane filters that can better handle abrasive dusts and efficiently filter submicron sized particulate. GORE® Filtration Products have enhanced numerous foundry operations including cupola furnace, casting, and sand systems in foundries nationwide.
Non-Ferrous Metals
Handling zinc, copper, aluminum, magnesium, platinum, and titanium is not only about keeping metal fumes from escaping through the stack, but dollars as well. Non-ferrous metal producers know the result of submicron sized dust bleeding through filter media. Whether it is ultra-fine fumes or precious or semi-precious metals, there is a cost of lost productivity or lost product. GORE® high strength/low emissions membranes and filter construction have replaced blinded filters and emitting processes with consistent, reliable performance and long filter life. Gore’s experience and application knowledge of hot and cold side metals production has assured non-ferrous metals producers of a strategic edge in a competitive market.