Key Selection Criteria
Five key factors shall be fully taken into account when selecting water cooled panels:
1. Furnace Type and Rated Capacity
Furnaces with different rated capacities (30-ton, 50-ton, 75-ton, 100-ton, etc.) require water cooled-panels of distinct specifications and cooling capacities. Customers shall first provide the furnace's rated capacity, as this parameter directly determines the panel's overall dimensions and thermal performance requirements.
2. Installation Position & Dimensional Parameters
The installation area - including upper sidewall, lower sidewall, slag line and high-heat hot spot zones - dictates the panel's structural configuration and dimensions.
Providing original technical drawings or used panels for replication is the most reliable approach. Key dimensional parameters are listed as follows:
- Arc length of the panel
- Panel height
- Overall external dimensions
- Exact positions of lifting lugs and mounting brackets
In general service scenarios, the height of a single panel shall not exceed two-thirds of the total furnace wall height.
Key Parameters and Selection Guide
3. Cooling System Parameters
The design of cooling water circuits is critical to the overall performance of EAF water cooled panels. Customers need to specify the following requirements:
Inlet and outlet pipe sizes (standard range: G1/2" to G1")
- Cooling water flow rate
- Allowable temperature range for inlet and outlet water
- Maximum allowable working pressure
- Standard operating conditions are specified as below:
- Inlet water temperature: ≤ 35°C
- Outlet water temperature: ≤ 55°C
All finished panels must undergo a hydrostatic pressure test before delivery. The test pressure is set at 1.5 times the designed working pressure, with a pressure holding time of no less than 30 minutes to guarantee zero leakage.
For tubular water cooled panels, the adoption of thick-walled seamless pipes reduces welding joints and further lowers leakage risks.
4. Material Selection
Material selection is determined by on-site operating temperature and thermal load:
Steel pipe/steel plate: Ideal for conventional operating zones, delivering excellent cost performance.
Copper/copper alloy: Adopted for hot spots and high-radiation areas, featuring superior thermal conductivity and longer service life.
Copper-steel composite material: Suitable for areas with medium thermal load.
Suppliers can deliver customized material recommendations and optimized engineering solutions based on actual furnace operating conditions.
5. Manufacturing Details & Optional Accessories
Optional structural designs and accessories include:
Slag-retaining pins on panel surfaces, which facilitate the formation of a protective slag layer and prolong service life
Flanged or threaded pipe connections to match customers' existing cooling water systems
Anti-corrosion surface treatment and protective coatings
Though these details appear trivial, they often become decisive factors in supplier evaluation.
Purchasing Guidelines
1. Provide Complete Technical Data
Customers shall supply the full set of technical information as follows:
- Furnace rated capacity and type (EAF, LF, SAF, etc.)
- Exact installation position (e.g., the third panel on the left sidewall)
- Technical drawings or physical samples of existing panels (where available)
2. Clarify Material & Manufacturing Requirements
Confirm the following specifications in advance:
- Panel material (steel pipe, steel plate, copper or copper alloy)
- Whether slag-retaining pins are required
- Pipe connection type (flange or thread) and corresponding size standards
3. Confirm Cooling System Requirements
Submit relevant parameters for the cooling system: cooling water flow rate, inlet/outlet water temperature requirements and maximum working pressure. These data support pre-delivery design verification and standard hydrostatic testing.
4. Specify Installation & Mounting Requirements
Provide detailed mounting information:
- Connection mode between panels and furnace shell (bolted connection / welded lifting lug installation)
- Positions of lifting lugs, bolt hole diameters and pin dimensions
5. Define Delivery & Acceptance Standards
Reach a clear agreement on the following terms:
- Delivery schedule
- Packaging requirements (moisture-proof and shockproof packaging)
- Acceptance standards: dimensional inspection, visual inspection and official hydrostatic pressure test reports
- On-site installation guidance services (if required)
6. Spare Parts Arrangement & Warranty Terms
Electric arc furnace water cooled-panels are classified as wearable consumable parts. It is recommended to keep 1 to 2 spare panels of commonly used models in stock.
Warranty clauses shall be explicitly stipulated. The standard warranty period ranges from 6 to 12 months, including detailed regulations on warranty claims and replacement services.
