At North American Hoganas, Niagara Falls, N.Y., Can-Eng Furnaces International Ltd., Niagara Falls, Ontario, successfully started up an atmosphere roller hearth reduction furnace. The first of its kind to be built in nearly 50 years, according to Can-Eng, the system included. Can-Eng also supplied an H2 recycle system consisting of an energy efficient heat-recovery unit, spray towers and auxiliary equipment that decreases the dewpoint of the process hydrogen atmosphere. A preheat furnace system heats the recycled hydrogen to near process temperature.

The electrically heated unit will be used to reduce iron oxide powder to sponge iron in a 100 percent hydrogen environment flowing at high capacity. The continuous roller hearth furnace uses sealing arrangements on the charge and discharge openings as well as a special gasket system on all rollers.