
Finkl Steel®, a leading steel manufacturer known for its forging die, plastic mold, and die casting tool steels, has taken a significant leap forward in enhancing production and reducing maintenance costs. The company, which processes over 200,000 tons of steel annually, faced disruptive quarterly maintenance cycles and annual reconditioning of their circuit breakers at their Canadian facility in Sorel, Quebec. This situation led them to explore innovative solutions.
To address these issues, Finkl Steel® made a strategic move by switching to ABB's VD4-AF1 vacuum arc furnace circuit breaker. This upgrade has proven to be a game-changer, offering substantial benefits. The VD4-AF1 breaker boasts exceptional longevity and endurance, resulting in significantly reduced maintenance costs and extended operational life. By halving the number of required circuit breakers, the facility has also made substantial progress in reducing its waste footprint.
Phillipe Tremblay, Project Engineer at Finkl Steel®, emphasized the substantial benefits of this upgrade. He stated, "It's been a very sound investment, as a year in no one has touched it. The ABB VD4-AF1 is capable of 150,000 operations, and as we'll probably have it for at least 10 years, that equates to a decade of no maintenance." Tremblay also highlighted the breaker's smart technological advancements, including synchronized pole openings to eliminate overvoltage, critical for protecting transformers and other electrical equipment.
The VD4-AF1 is the first medium-voltage (MV) circuit breaker with servomotors, enabling precise drive control and eliminating the need for inrush limiting reactors and resistances for applications up to 38kV. This innovation leads to significant cost and space savings. The breaker also offers 24/7 predictive health indication and accurate synchronization with network voltage, enhancing reliability, precision, and safety.
Keven Ouellet, ABB Electrification Service Canada Field Service Engineer, emphasized the transformative impact of the VD4-AF1 breaker on Finkl Steel's operations. He noted that it has eliminated the need for heavy equipment previously required to address the challenges of the severe steelmaking environment, leading to significant cost savings. Additionally, it reduces transient recovery voltage (TRV) via a TRV measurement element, contributing to a more efficient and reliable production process.
This upgrade aligns with Finkl Steel's commitment to achieving zero greenhouse gas emissions by electrifying its operations. The Sorel plant, where the VD4-AF1 breaker was installed, is well-positioned to utilize 100% renewable electricity produced in Quebec.
The successful implementation of the ABB VD4-AF1 circuit breaker not only enhances Finkl Steel's production efficiency and reliability but also contributes to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly steel manufacturing process.
Source: ABB