A bucket apron conveyor for the conveying of 700°C hot DRI has been received by the AUMUND Division Metallurgy from Midrex Technologies.

The conveyor connects the shaft kiln of the direct reduction plant with the steel works. Via an intermediate storage unit on the Electric Arc Furnace the hot DRI is loaded directly into the EAF. Transport takes place via gas protected atmosphere with a bucket apron conveyor Type BZB-H-I 800(650)/400/5.

For the link to the EAF an axis distance of 140 metres is needed and a height differential of 66 metres has to be overcome.

Conveying capacity is designed for 250 tonnes per hour.

The plant with an annual production capacity of 1.5 million tonnes is under construction at Hidd. Production start is scheduled for the beginning of 2013.