ABB’s Advance Optima AO2000 gas analyzers help SSAB Oxelösund in Sweden to achieve and fully meet the BAT emission requirements

Half a decade ago, SSAB took the decision to order eight identical AO2000 systems from ABB with the benefit to be able to replace components and for the staff being able to work with well-known ABB equipment. SSAB also chose ABB for its good and fast service provided.

The project AMS2015 at SSAB Oxelösund was a result of BAT conclusions for iron and steel production being established on March 8, 2012. BAT conclusions contain both requirements for a plant’s technical design, methodology for different parts and also emission requirements. Established BAT conclusions must be complied with no later than 4 years from the date of introduction and were complied in March 2016.

BAT, Best Available Technique, can describe that emissions should be monitored periodically (cheaper) or continuously (more expensive) where a plant can always choose the continuous option. The requirements also differ between different substances for the monitoring method.

The project at SSAB Oxelösund included 2 systems for ladle pre-heaters, 3 systems for the coking plant with one on each battery crust, 1 system for the rolling mill ingot furnaces, 1 system for blast furnace no 4 and rebuilding of an existing system at blast furnace no 2.

Measurements have been carried through with ABB’s measuring modules:

  • URAS for CO
  • LIMAS for NO, NO2 and SO2
  • MAGNOS for O2

Mr Per Lundqvist, Process Development, Coking Plant and Mr Thorsten Dormann.
What are the main benefits with ABB and the Advance Optima AO2000 gas analyzers?
For a general view of the AO2000-installations we ask Mr Thorsten Dormann, Process Engineer, Power Plant:

The project AMS2015 (AMS = Automatic Measurement System) at SSAB Oxelösund was the result of BAT conclusions for iron and steel production being established on March 8, 2012.

“During the AMS2015 project it has been possible to solve just about all upcoming problems with ABB’s AO2000 analyzers, which is exellent.”

AO2000 is a well-known product to SSAB Oxelösund and they decided to buy identical systems to be able to easily replace components. SSAB’s previously installed analyzer technology is just as large as ABB’s delivery of the eight systems in the AMS2015 project.

"We also get very good service from ABB. We really like ABB."

Thorsten Dormann, Process Engineer, Power Plant, SSAB Oxelösund, Sweden.
What are the main benefits with ABB and the Advance Optima AO2000 gas analyzers?
For the steelworks/blast furnaces we ask Mr Daniel Andersson, Process Engineer, Steelworks/Blast furnace:
"In the steelworks/blast furnaces we carry through 12 or 14 analyses. ABB’s analytical instruments are user-friendly and everyone is happy with AO2000 and the wall-mounted cabinets are working fine. The AO2000 systems offer advantages of connections and now we can easily connect with remote access."

"SSAB has a service agreement with ABB including telephone support and a complete service is carried through once a year. ABB provides good service via telephone and IP-address directly to the AO2040 container cabin and always with good results.
We also have spare instruments in stock, which can be installed if the current ones should fail."
What are the main benefits with ABB and the Advance Optima AO2000 gas analyzers?
In the rolling mill section, we ask Mr Glenn Törnqvist, Technician, Instrumentation, Rolling Mill:
"The AO2000-system in the rolling mill section measures CO, NO2and NO. AO 2040 is working very well and keep running without any problems.
So, we really don’t have anything to worry about here. The cooling unit is located outside the cabinet in the rolling mill due to a really tough environment."

"The 40 cm long probe is mounted in the rolling mill. The probe measures the exhaust gas directly from the oven right next to the flue gas channel. The 1st probe in the chimney is working fine and the 2nd probe was earlier clogged, but now solved in a smooth way."

In the summer time it is very hot in the rolling mill and in the analyzer cabinet as well. In order to increase air circulation SSAB has installed a fan in the cabinet. The problems with the condensation arresters have now been solved.

The ABB roll force load cells are working very well and they provide stable roll force measurements. SSAB upgrades the load cell electronics accordingly.
What are the main benefits with ABB and the Advance Optima AO2000 gas analyzers?
At the coking plant we ask Mr Per Lundqvist, Process Development, Coking Plant:

"AO2040 is working very well and so far we have no problems with the measurement data. In an earlier situation we fixed a backup instrument installation in the coking plant in an easy way, using ABB’s service support line."

The AO2000-system measures SO2, CO, NO, NO2 and O2. In Oxelösund you find the world’s oldest coking plant in operation supplying coke gas to the entire SSAB steel plant. Coke gas is very essential and if not delivered, the entire steel production process will stop. To produce 10 tonnes of coke you need about 15 tonnes of coal.

"The temperature is 1030 degrees Celsius at the push-outs in the heating/combustion channels. We use strong gas heating in the 24 channel units. The gas temperature is 300 degrees Celsius going into the chimney."

Probe measuring exhaust gas in the hot rolling mill section.
Mr Thorsten Dormann is summarizing ABB’s AO2000-installations at SSAB Oxelösund plant in Sweden:
"Over the years we have had very few concerns with ABB equipment. For this project SSAB chose to request uniform systems to easily maintain and replace components when needed."

"SSAB overall is very satisfied with the AO2000- installations and we summarize this project with – We really like ABB!"
Overview Advance Optima AO2000
The Advance Optima process gas analyzers have a modular design that offers a long-term security in your investment. Analyzer modules can be freely combined into tailor-made solutions and upgraded or extended with new features at any time. Remote modules are easily attached and centrally operated.
Advance Optima Series
 General data   
 19” rack mounted version
 Size AO2020 (W x D x H)		  483 x 412 (597) x 177 mm
 Wall mounted version
 Size AO2040 (W x D x H)		  444 x 199 x 412 (597) mm
 Housing protection  IP20
 IP 54 with connection box
 IP 65 without power supply/display/control unit
 Additional housings for external analyzer modules possible
 Power supply  85/115/140 VAC, 2.5 A max.
 185/230/250 VAC, 1.25 A max.

Other supplied equipment to SSAB
ABB Measurement & Analytics/Force Measurement has supplied the following equipment to SSAB’s heavy plate rolling mill in Oxelösund, Sweden:

  • One Millmate Roll Force System
  • Two circular load cells, 51.5 MN (PFVL 141C-51.5 MN)
SSAB’s heavy plate rolling mill
 Mill data  
 Mill builder  SMS (CVC 4 hot rolling)
 No. of passes  12 to 14
 Thickness, slabs   290 mm
 Longest plates  43 m
 Exit thickness  5 mm

SSAB in brief
SSAB’s vision – a stronger, lighter, and more sustainable world.

SSAB is a leading producer on the global market (with approx. 15,000 employees) for Advanced High- Strength Steels (AHSS) and Quenched & Tempered Steels (Q&T), strip, plate and tubular products, as well as construction solutions. SSAB’s steels and services help to make end products lighter and increase their strength and lifespan.

SSAB has a cost-efficient and flexible production system. The production plants in Sweden, Finland and the US have an annual steel production capacity of approximately 8.8 million tonnes.

Leading brands are Hardox, Strenx, Raex, Toolox, Armox and Ramor. Main customer segments and applications are Heavy transport, Construction machinery, Material handling & Agricultural and forest machines.
SSAB Special Steels
SSAB Special Steels is responsible for production of Q&T Steels in Oxelösund, Sweden (with approx. 2,800 employees), as well as for sales of Q&T Steels and AHSS made in Mobile, Alabama in USA, Raahe in Finland and Borlänge in Sweden. In total, there are nine SSAB production lines globally that can produce high-strength steels, which provides for flexibility and ability to grow volume.
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