Nucor Corp. is partnering with the University of Kentucky (UK) Research Foundation to test a carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture system at Nucor Steel Gallatin. This is one of 12 research projects being funded by a Department of Energy grant to advance point-source carbon-capture and storage technologies that can capture CO₂ emissions generated from natural gas power plants and industrial facilities that produce commodities like steel. More than 50 industry and university experts are working together to tackle the difficult challenge of applying carbon-capture and sequestration techniques to an electric-arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking process. Once this pilot is complete, Nucor and UK will have a better understanding of the costs and effectiveness of carbon-capture technology for flue gas with low CO₂ content and the feasibility of replication of this technology at other EAF steel mills.

Kevin Dempsey, president and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), issued the following statement in response to the White House announcement of initial guidance to federal agencies implementing the Build America, Buy America Act. “We appreciate the commitment of the Biden-Harris administration to ensure that all federally funded infrastructure and public works projects use iron, steel and other products that are made in America,” Dempsey said. “As some federal programs do not apply Buy America requirements for the procurement of iron and steel products, we are pleased that today’s initiative begins the process to remedy this situation by providing clear guidance to federal agencies for adopting appropriate Buy America requirements for all federally funded infrastructure projects.”

A partnership between the University of Northern Iowa, Youngstown State University and the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) will leverage $10 million in first-year funding to increase the number of small to midsize enterprises using advanced technologies, bolster critical areas of the defense manufacturing supply chain and create jobs. The partnership will provide hundreds of businesses each year with support to remove barriers to adopting Industry 4.0 technologies, enabling a faster output of quality parts while expanding and strengthening the supply chain. Those technologies include 3D printing, robotics and artificial intelligence (AI).

A manufacturer of electronic components with engineering centers and factories worldwide purchased a vacuum tempering furnace from SECO/VACUUM, a SECO/WARWICK Group Company, for one of its plants in Pennsylvania. With a chamber measuring 48 inches x 48 inches x 72 inches, the furnace will be used to anneal copper and steel electrical connectors used in subsequent assemblies. The furnace, which can operate up to 1382°F (750°C), will deliver added capacity to meet increased demand for the company’s products. It includes a turbo-cooling feature designed to improve turnaround time from batch to batch and maximize throughput.

Austal USA opened its $100 million steel shipbuilding facility in Mobile, Ala. The addition of steel shipbuilding capability complements the company’s well-established aluminum shipbuilding expertise. The 117,000-square-foot manufacturing plant will house the latest computerized and robotic steel-processing equipment to handle all of the current and future demands of the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard. A 60,000-square-foot stockyard will be utilized for handling the raw steel, and a 19,500-square-foot paint facility will provide the ability to paint and blast simultaneously in two separate cells.

The United States Air Force (USAF) awarded Wall Colmonoy Aerobraze Engineered Technologies Oklahoma City a five-year contract for the remanufacture of F-15 fighter aircraft fin and plate heat exchangers at Mountain Home Air Force Base. The Idaho base has a history dating back to World War II and houses the 366th Fighter Group. Aerobraze Oklahoma City developed the remanufacture process to support USAF clients who were seeking repair rather than new part replacement of their F-15 primary heat exchanger. The method includes complete replacement of the heat exchanger core, as well as inspection and testing in accordance with the USAF Technical Order. This is more cost-effective compared to new part replacement. Since 2013, Aerobraze Oklahoma City has manufactured more than 500 F-15 primary heat exchangers.

Qatar Aluminium Extrusion CO. (Qalex) received a second nitriding system from Nitrex. The aluminum profiles manufacturer wanted to equip a second extrusion plant with an independent nitriding furnace to save on handling, processing time and costs associated with having to transport extrusion dies back and forth from its first factory for nitriding work. The furnace is equipped with process technology designed for nitriding extrusion dies. Installation and start-up were completed in January 2022.

L&L Special Furnace Co. Inc. built and delivered a high-uniformity electric box furnace to a valve manufacturer located in the southeastern United States. The front-loading, refractory-lined unit has an effective work zone measuring 22 inches wide x 22 inches high x 20 inches deep. There is a horizontal double-pivoted door with a safety power cutoff switch. A ceramic hearth and standoffs are provided as a workspace. The furnace is equipped with solid-state relays for fast cycle times. These are housed in a NEMA 1 control panel with single-point power connection.

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products Inc. reported that a liquid metal spill occurred during operations at its electric-arc melting facility in Bridgeville, Pa., on Monday, April 11. The spill was caused by a breakthrough at the bottom of a furnace shell. No injuries resulted from the spill. Cleanup and damage assessment are underway, and the company expects melting operations to resume in 6-8 weeks subject to parts and contractor availability. All other operations continue to function as normal. The company does not expect any near-term interruption to product delivery schedules.

Cook Induction partnered with Super Systems Inc. to implement a fully electronic SCADA package at its Nadcap-approved facility in Maywood, Calif., which offers heat-treating and brazing (induction, torch and furnace) services. “Having the ability to track and recall furnace data from our desks has made life so much easier,” said Troy Doolittle, Cook Induction’s quality manager. “The new system has improved our ability to stay on top of scheduling and production.”