Tenova, a leading provider of sustainable solutions for the metals industry, has launched Phase II of its acoustic water detection system in collaboration with Topy Industries Ltd. at the Toyohashi Plant Works in Aichi, Japan. The expansion builds on the success of Phase I and reflects nearly two decades of partnership between the two companies.
The Toyohashi Plant Works is a major industrial complex manufacturing steel products and undercarriage components for construction machinery. It operates with an integrated steel production system, from steelmaking to rolling, alongside a division dedicated to heavy machinery components.
Since pioneering the adoption of Tenova’s off-gas system for process control in 2005, the first of its kind in Japan, the plant has consistently used Tenova’s innovations to improve operational efficiency and environmental performance. The off-gas system enables real-time optimization of electric arc furnace (EAF) operations, delivering measurable savings.
Phase I of the acoustic water detection system, installed on the 200t AC EAF shell, marked the technology’s debut in Japan. Building on those results, Phase II now extends the system to the furnace shaft panels, strengthening Topy’s commitment to sustainability and technological excellence.
The patented acoustic detection system processes sound and vibration data to identify the presence of water, alerting operators to potential risks. By turning what was once considered noise into a diagnostic tool, the system provides steelmakers with real-time insights into critical furnace conditions, enhancing both safety and performance.
