Sumitomo Metals’ Kashima Realizes 14% Energy Save from F1990

Sumitomo Metal Industries’ Kashima works reduced the specific energy consumption by 14% in April-June compared with the level in fiscal 1990 ending March 1991. The works tries to improve the energy consumption through the special effort including more energy saving technology. The works targets 17% reduction for the specific consumption by fiscal 2013 from fiscal 1990 level toward post Kyoto Protocol.

Kashima works reduced the energy consumption by around 20% from Oil Shock to 1990 through improvement of the operations by continuous processes and waste heat recovering equipment. The works couldn’t reduce the consumption due to higher consumption for environmental equipments and production of higher grade products. However, the works realized 14% reduction through new technology introduction when Japanese steel industry tries to reduce energy consumption by 10% from fiscal 1990 to fiscal 2010.

The works reduced the energy consumption step by step through small idea and effort in all shops. The works also utilized support by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). The works introduced Kalina cycle using power generation system, which has 40% better efficiency, in 1999 for the first time in the world to realize annual 6,600 kilo litters energy saving in crude oil equivalent.

The works started review for the energy consumption to find room for further improvement while the works tries to find availability for new technology. The works introduces high voltage inverter for all motors and 40% energy saving lamp for all lightings by end of 2009.

The works also improves the manufacturing efficiency including yield, quality and operating rate. The works already realized lower reducing agent consumption at iron making shop and more ferrous scrap use at steel making shop.