Characterization of Natural Gas Fired and Alternative Steel Reheat Technologies

A current market profile is developed for the following natural gas-fired and alternative steel reheat technologies: walking beam, pusher, batch, and induction. The entire natural gas reheat market currently is approximately 135 x 1012 Btu per year out of a total potential reheat market of 187 x 1012 Btu per year. Future steel industry structural and technological trends are examined for potential impacts on the natural gas reheat market. The most important impacts will result from future implementation of hot charging, direct rolling, and thin strip casting. R&D opportunities for improving the competitiveness of gas-fired reheat technologies are discussed, including research in combustion fundamentals and furnace design, development of improved sensors and controls, and distribution of information to industry users