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By Henrique Silva Furtado

Light meter is an ArcelorMittal innovation that uses off-gas light intensity to predict bath carbon, which is akin to the visual cues that the operators employ to finish a blow. Light meter enables the prediction of end point that is independent of any operator’s judgment. The results have been in general consistent with the actual carbon content at BOF end point at Tubarão. Besides some outliers that occurred due to strange intensity curves, the system implemented in Tubarão BOF 3 reported a carbon prediction error statistic that is very similar to dissolved oxygen–carbon end point statistics. Preliminary trials using light meter without any filter improved carbon hit ratio significantly.

Jul 30, 2018

By Roman Vaynshteyn

In places where Blast Furnaces are usually located, climatic factors may be unfavorable. Raw materials may be exposed to e.g. rain during transport/storage, bringing moisture into the process with consequences for stability and hot metal cost. This paper describes a technology for drying and pre-heating pellets and coke in the stockhouse. It does not require additional handling or logistical equipment and does not introduce extra transfer steps and degradation. Not only can moisture content be reduced, it can be controlled to a stable level by the operator.

Aug 16, 2017

By João Luiz do Vale

In standard wear tests, such as pin on disk (ASTM-G99) or block on ring (ASTM-G77), the apparatus simulates conditions that are often different from a machine element real application. Therefore, for an accurate investigation of a tribological application, it is essential to test the real condition in which there are similarities as: geometry, contact details, force application mode, materials, among others. It emphasizes that for studies involving polymeric materials it becomes extremely relevant. Thus, the Laboratory of Surfaces and Contact (LASC) at UTFPR developed an apparatus for sliding bearing on shaft test. In that equipment, loads are applied by a dead-weight system and the frictional force is measured on a load cell. The apparatus operating ranges for load added to the dead weight system and rotation shaft are from 0.2 to 5.0 kgf and from 260 to 3500 rpm, respectively. This paper presents a detailed evaluation of such apparatus, which includes free-body diagrams analysis and a deduction to obtain an equation for the kinetic friction coefficient. Also, the standard measurement uncertainties of a caliper, an electronic scale, and a cell load were determined. It was verified that the kinetic friction coefficient equation is dependent on the apparatus geometry, the applied load, and the frictional force value. Additionally, through the statistical significance analysis it was concluded that some terms in the equation were not significant. Finally, through the application of the error propagation theory in the kinetic friction coefficient equation, the standard measurement uncertainty of the apparatus which showed a value nearby 0.002 along the operating range of the apparatus was obtained.

Jul 31, 2018

By Patrick Tassot

Increased worldwide highly competition in steel market imposes innovative measure for the steelmaker targeting cost reduction and climate-friendly steelmaking process in order to have the ability to withstand the pressure of the market. At the same time the demand for high purity and highest quality steels continues to grow from year to year, especially in the sector automotive in transportation of oil and gas, in the construction Industry and in the manufacture of heavy plate. As they allow producers to be up to the requirements while allowing expanding their product mix, new secondary metallurgical treatments have become a must additionally to standard equipment elements of steel plants modern. Most of these treatments occurs in the steel ladle increasing the pressure to ensure a reliable and as possible neutral reactor. Intelligent solutions for refractory lining ladles should integrate better adaptation to the operational process parameters and the high reliability/availability at the best cost/performance. This challenge has conducted Refratechnik to develop new concepts to overcome the frontier between shaped and unshaped materials and that’s what will be covered in this paper.

Aug 17, 2017

By Patrik Bloemer

Reliable and accurate furnace bath level data during the melting process is invaluable for good decision making and furnace optimization, while obtaining such information rapidly and safely on a regular basis is of paramount importance. This paper shows how a melting process problem was identified as a concern, how a solution was sought and how a real-time measurement system was tested by simple modification to an existing temperature sampling manipulator. Also how, with furnace power on or off, taking reliable hot heel, fill and running levels could be used to assist melting control, aid decision making and improve safety.

Jul 30, 2018

By Alberto Pesamosca

The paper presents the results obtained by the AC EAF supplied by Danieli at Kroman Çelik (Gebze-Turkey) after the planned upgrade to 150 ton. The EAF – 7,4 m diameter, based on the full platform standard design - is able to handle a maximum power of 114 MW and is equipped with the most advanced and reliable technology, including module injection system and the Hireg electrodes regulation system. Excellent results were already obtained with 120 heat size in terms of fast start-up and excellent performance figures. After the upgrade, productivity was increased up to 212 t/h, maintaining high process efficiency (365 kWh/t with 32,1 Nm3/t O2).

Jul 30, 2018

By Uwe Wilhelm

Pittini Group has contracted Danieli in 2011 for the supply and replacement of the existing EAF at Ferriere Nord Plant in Osoppo. This was a very challenging project: giving the fact that the Meltshop was operating already under very high performance level, there were many elements involved for the project to improve (reduce the amount of charges, promote highest possible chemical energy utilization, allow best optimization on existing transformer power, modification on Drop Out box and Water Cooled Duct, Hydraulic System for EAF, Scrap Bucket design to fit to new EAF with existing loading and transport system, Automation System Review and Upgrade) as well as limitations of the existing installation (limited space, lifting capacity building and cranes and the required solutions for fast shell and roof exchange). All furnace parts, as well as installation engineering, were developed and discussed carefully with the Customer to either provide proven and reliable concepts, but also to define solutions for fast installation/maintenance access and quick exchange for offline turnaround. In the end, from disassembly of existing equipment up to the first heat of the new furnace, only 38 days were necessary. First heat was made on January 24th 2013, on the 6th production day 32 heats where produced at nominal design capacity and 28 days after start up 100,000 t liquid steel have already been produced.

Jul 30, 2018

By Henrique Lacerda Eleutério, Aldo Henrique de Almeida Barbosa, Vicente Tadeu Lopes Buono

The automotive industry’s interest in galvannealed (GA) boron steel for hot forming processes application has been steadily increasing due to its excellent surface quality, galvanic protection provided to the parts, good paint adhesion and better weldability in relation to other coatings for this application. In this study, samples of 22MnB5 galvannealed steel were heat treated and hot stamped on a water cooled die in laboratory scale. The influence of heat treatment on stability of coating and steel was assessed by using initial heating rates 11.0ºC/s and 15.0ºC/s. Microstructural evolution of galvannealed coating and structural integrity of steel during hot forming were investigated by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis (SEM/EDS/Line scan), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and optical microscopy (OM). It was possible to quantify the Fe-Zn phase evolution during hot forming, to understand the effect of these heating rates on the product properties and to establish an optimized heat treatment for hot forming of these steel. The heat treatment with the heating rate of 15.0ºC/s presented greater operational flexibility and final products free from surface defects or cracks in the substrate.

Oct 1, 2019

By Claudio Fabbro

The increasing demand of wire rod high carbon grades for both small and large sizes are challenging the wire rod producers to enhance new technologies by combining high plant productivity and efficiency of superior quality finished products with extreme process flexibility. The possibility to change process route according to the final application of the rolled steel grade and to simplify production planning is one of the most important keys to success that distinguishes the mill plants developed by Danieli. This paper will focus on the most important metallurgical and process targets and on the in-line heat treatment technologies representing the core of Danieli know-how on high carbon grades production.

Jul 30, 2018

By Ivo Filipovic

The steel melting process in an Electric Arc Furnace is a complex set of tasks, coping with highly dangerous hazards as fire, explosions, uncontrolled reactions, hot metal projections and gas or dust emissions. Melt shops are dangerous working areas for operators, recording statistics with a high frequency of injuries. In the past years, without dedicated safety equipment, there wasn't a real attitude to the risk prevention. The paper describes the available technological packages to eliminate the manned activities on the melting floor, with the aim to prevent accidents and keep furnace operators safe. The technological packages suite extends the automatic control of the EAF melting process to all the operations from charging phase to tapping. Plus, the integration of the most frequent operations by automated specialized tools effectively minimizes power-off times, enhancing reliability and improving the transformation costs.

Aug 17, 2017

By Josef Maierl

For the production of advanced high strength steel grades (AHSS) like API X80/X100, dual-phase, martensitic and complex-phase grades a number of hot strip mills need to extend their limits in terms of power and flexibility. Especially for cooling and coiling of these new materials, Primetals Technologies developed the “Power Cooling” and “Power Coiling” technologies. Power Cooling combines the advantages of conventional laminar cooling or “low pressure cooling” with the newly developed “high pressure cooling” with highest cooling rates for flexible operation. The Power Coiler which is needed to coil those high strength grades especially at thicker gauges ensures reliable strip-coiling for a most economical production. To enhance the reliable production of high-strength steel grades for a wide range of strip dimensions, the automation system with its advanced models is an integral part to the mechanical design. In this context the paper presents examples for the installation of power cooling and power coiling in new and modernized HSM.

Aug 16, 2017

By Edo Engel

Whereas only a handful of decades ago, typical blast furnace working volumes were below 1000 m³, such furnaces are currently designated compact or even mini blast furnaces. For certain business cases, however, small furnace sizes remain an attractive option. Decades ago, this size blast furnace would have produced a maximum of 0.3 Mtpa with its 600 m³ working volume over a campaign of up to four years. The current state of technology and operational know–how will allow a similarly sized furnace to produce over 0.7 Mtpa while achieving the multiple decade campaigns that have become familiar to steel producers in full sized operations. This level of productivity, but especially the reliability and supply security associated with mature technology, allows for integration into minimills or taking a first step towards a full scale BF–BOF integrated mill. Steel producers considering such scenarios, which are typically attractive for emerging economies, are confronted with fundamental decisions, one of which is for the technological basis for the compact or mini blast furnace to be included in the plant. This article addresses some of these decisions from an operations–based perspective. A small number of case studies is included.

Aug 16, 2017

By Paolo Demetlika

In this paper it is shown how the “Zero Operator” concept on the casting floor has been reached by adoption of a standard 6 axis industrial anthropomorphic robot coupled with the most innovative machine vision technology. This has been achieved by automating all the operations related to the ladle and tundish activities, including shroud manipulation, powder addition, ladle nozzle identification, nozzle opening by lancing, temperature measurement and chemical sampling. Q–Robot CAST family products are the result of the successful alliance between industrial robotics and the most advanced technology in process automation. This led, for each production area, to the introduction of flexible automation in dangerous places, even where some degree of human intervention is still necessary. By using anthropomorphic robots, human operators can be reassigned to safer environments. Furthermore, robots are suited to deal with repetitive and labor intensive tasks thus guaranteeing a high process quality.

Oct 30, 2017

By Patrick Hansert

Safety was always in the focus of Badische Stahlwerke, however at the same time productivity has to increase as well in order to compete in a tough world market. In 2015 BSW produced over 2.2 Mio tons with two EAFs, leading to tap-to-tap times in average of under 40 minutes. Our philosophy has always been, that our most important success factor are the people: therefore we have to improve the working conditions as much as we can. Starting in 2012 Badische developed a robot that can support this goal. The first step was to use it for temp/sample taking, but the unit had to become a multi-tasker. Only 2 years later the first automated cartridge changer was installed at a customer site in Scandinavia, in late 2015 then the next tool was implement: tool changer allows now to use also a camera to check the condition inside of the heat after tapping. More tools are designed currently and will be implemented shortly. This paper describes the current installations and experiences as future applications.

Aug 17, 2017

By Claude Bodeving

The present steel economy drastically increases the financial strain on blast furnace operators. As a consequence, the importance of reliable cast floor operations is increasing drastically, which has a direct influence on the required clay mass and tapping equipment performances. When using modern high performance clay masses, pneumatic taphole drilling machines quickly reach their performance limits, which has made fully hydraulic drill hammers a standard in modern cast house operation. Besides the well-established hydraulic TMT hammers with high impact energy, an alternative version with lower impact energy, but high impact frequency was developed by TMT in the past, in order to achieve improved taphole protection. TMT’s recent research has shown that the drilling requirements inflicted by the taphole condition change over the taphole length, which has triggered the development of a new hammer, capable of switching between a high impact frequency mode and a high impact energy mode.

Aug 17, 2017

By Werner Klein

The utilization of production facilities in an optimum way, with reliable due date fulfillment, reducing raw material and energy consumption, are challenges iron and steel companies are facing in their business every day. By using an APS system such goals can be achieved to increase the competiveness of iron and steel producers. A sophisticated APS supports the overall planning process by applying complex rules based on product and order mix, its production routings with corresponding processing and transport times and resource availability. Specific technological as well as steel grade and energy related constraints are also considered to meet company specific KPIs. A core feature of APS solution is to react online on deviations to plan during the production process. Deviations such as nonconformance of intermediate material attached to an order, sudden production delays, unavailability of important production resources, makes it necessary to update the production plan. In general the task of APS is to support the preferred work-to-order concept, by assigning work-orders to available production facilities along the product specific process route and generate optimized material sequences for critical work centers.

Aug 17, 2017

By Jan Lückhoff

The introduction of the EAF Quantum furnace by Primetals Technologies represents an important milestone in the field of electric steelmaking during the last 15 years. In this process the latent and chemical heat of the off-gas generated during a melting process in an EAF is used to pre-heat scrap in an integrated shaft prior the melting of the scrap in the vessel. Combining proven own technologies, Primetals EAF Quantum enables nearly continuous process, cutting down idle times and enhancing availability for production. The essential benefits will be shown in this Paper.

Aug 16, 2017

By Daniele Tolazzi

In today’s highly competitive market situation, it is of outmost importance for EAF steel makers to optimise their processes in order to reduce operating costs and to improve safety and reliability of the equipment. The laser based off-gas analysis technology, With laser units installed on the fix duct, downstream the combustion gap, uses the “Tuneable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy” (TDLAS). The system performs real-time off-gas emissions measurements of CO, CO2, O2, H2O and temperature. A closed-loop operation is in place for dynamic control of the chemical energy package combustion/post-combustion of CO, H2 and CH4 gases into the EAF furnace shell. A statistical framework which builds on a data analysis engine, based on Danieli Automation Q3Intelligence technology, evaluates the “fingerprint” of the process represented by average and deviation trends of both gases and other process parameters. Process fingerprinting is conceived both for offline profile optimisation and on-line control of the refining process. This paper describes how the technology has been applied and the results achieved at ACCIAIERIE BERTOLI SAFAU (Italy) 100 t AC Electric Arc Furnace.

Aug 16, 2017

By Santiago Faucher

Molten slag from pyrometallurgical furnaces is tapped at high temperature, carrying a large amount of thermal energy. But the common slag dumping and water granulation methods used for slag treatment do not permit energy recovery. Furthermore, water is present in these processes and while operations are designed to minimize risks of steam explosions, from the contact of slag with water, these common slag handling practices have never been inherently safe. Common handling practices do permit some slags to be sold, but often in low volumes at low prices. Dry granulation offers advantages over these common slag handling practices, including the production of by-products, the recovery of thermal energy, and the eliminated consumption and safety hazards of water. For these reasons, there have been various studies in dry granulation and heat recovery, but most have never been brought to commercial scale due to scalability and cost challenges. Ecomaister- Hatch has developed and brought to commercial scale a reliable and simple dry granulation and heat recovery technology. Here we review common slag handling practices, the developments in dry slag granulation over the last three decades, introduce the Ecomaister-Hatch dry slag granulation process, and elaborate on future applications of the technology in the processing of argon oxygen decarburization and blast furnace slags.

Aug 17, 2017

By Edo Engel

Blast furnace No. 3 at Zaporizhstal in Zaporozhye is rebuilt in 2016-2017. The Ukrainian company is targeting increased production and availability, mainly through the use of new technology. Zaporizhstal awarded a contract for a new Top Charging Unit to Danieli Corus, after comparing all available technologies. Reliability of the chosen charging device is pivotal, since long outages may be required for maintenance/replacement jobs, which strongly affects the availability of the blast furnace. This article describes the Top Charging Unit including DANCU (Danieli Charging Unit) - a robust hydraulic system. The main focus employed by Danieli and Danieli Corus during the development of this system has been availability and maintainability of equipment. This chute type charging unit has only few major moving parts, none of which is complex or vulnerable. The article also describes the main challenges of the project at Zaporizhstal, such as the use of hot sinter.

Oct 30, 2017