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By Helênio Resende Silva Júnior

PT. Krakatau-POSCO coke making plant, located in Cilegon, Indonesia, is the results of the know-how and experience of Paul Wurth (PW) in coke making field. The plant has a capacity of 1,321,000 t/y of gross coke achieved by two coke oven batteries with 42 top charging Paul Wurth “Jumbo” ovens each. PW “Jumbo” oven with a useful volume of 78,92 m3 allows decreasing drastically the number of pushing/charging operation per day with a consequent reduction of the diffuse emissions. Gas treatment plant with a capacity of 88000 Nm3/h has been designed in collaboration with DMT GmbH & Co. KG, adopting the latest technologies with specific design know-how. PT. POSCO-Krakatau plant has been successfully commissioned and started-up in October 2013. The present paper will highlight the main technology features applied in PT. Krakatau-POSCO project for both coke oven and gas treatment plants.

Aug 17, 2017

By André de Cabral Oliveira

With the onset of the global economic crisis in 2008, and more precisely from 2009, production routes in iron making as blast furnace, sinter and coke oven, indicated a significant increase in frequency as well as intensity of undesirable incidents. The cost impact of such deteriorations of the production chain cause significant losses ranging up to several hundred million dollars annually. On the other hand, opportunities for processes improvement are contributing to enhance process efficiency and results, and also reduce or even avoid losses from unexpected incidents. The use of specialized services for processes has gained projection along the plants and emerged as an attractive alternative to increase results by increasing the performance and reducing costs and expenses. Process Services are formatted to achieve cooperative and customized solution during planned or urgent interventions, conducting feasibility studies, process improvement, training, among others, providing knowledge, information and crucial actions to preserve and optimize processes and plant facilities.

Aug 2, 2018

By Thorsten Müller

In order to increase the production of Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) as well as to fulfill the growing expectations of various industries served, steelmakers must have wide- ranging know-how in terms of plant technology, operation, processes, quality control and, last but not least, know-how for AHSS including certification procedures. MET/Con is highly focused on the production of coated AHSS with tensile strengths higher than 600 MPa. Common heating and cooling technologies are unable to handle high alloyed steel grades – pre-oxidation and rapid cooling technologies have been developed to face these new challenges. MET/CON and Drever International have the knowledge to produce newest steel grades with these technologies.

Jul 30, 2018

By Uazir Bezerra de Oliveira, Günther Staudinger, Michael Skorianz, Edo Engel

Oct 1, 2019

By Fabio Andre Brand

As empresas de classe mundial, para atingir a excelência, buscam inovações para maximizar a utilização dos seus ativos. Para estas empresas, os departamentos de manutenção assumem uma função estratégica e a utilização de metodologias como a Manutenção Centrada em Confiabilidade (MCC) tem contribuído muito para a obtenção de um desempenho positivo em seu sistema produtivo. Apesar das inúmeras vantagens da aplicação da MCC, identificou-se uma oportunidade de melhoria nesta metodologia, na etapa de aplicação do diagrama de decisão para escolha das tarefas de manutenção. Pois é dentro deste contexto que se insere o presente trabalho, que busca consolidar o processo de implementação da MCC, com a introdução de melhorias na etapa mencionada, voltadas principalmente para a sua utilização na indústria siderúrgica. Inicialmente, apresenta-se uma abordagem sobre os conceitos e métodos empregados na MCC tradicional. Em seguida, as melhorias propostas foram detalhadas junto com um estudo de caso, onde a MCC, já contendo os métodos elaborados neste trabalho, foi aplicada em uma empresa siderúrgica, sendo que os resultados obtidos demonstraram a adequação desta proposta às necessidades deste ramo industrial.

Oct 30, 2017

By Laurent Dorel, Sebastien Maillard, Afchine Nasserian, Jean-Paul Faure

Surface quality monitoring is primarily implemented in the last steps of steel manufacturing before shipment to the end user. However, an increasing trend for also addressing this topic in the upstream stages, such as hot rolling plant, is tackled by Primetals Technologies to give steel producers the key to a global optimized yield management, and efficient “lessons learned” processes. After the last developments of SIAS Next Gen platform, including High Resolution and Near Infra-Red, some site results will be exposed on the very specific high constraints lines such as ESP Endless Strip Production and Plate Mills, and highlights the related most interesting aspects for our customers.

Oct 1, 2019

By Vitor Orlando Ferreira

The efficiency of an apparatus which uses a forced lubrication system, as well as the useful life of its components, is strongly related to the degree of contamination of lubricating oil. The presence of contaminants and the degradation of the oil itself cause it to release substances that fouling of the wall of the pipes. The cleaning and dialysis of the oil pipes, besides prolonging the life of the lubricant reduces wear of the components. There are several methods of cleaning in pipes, the problem is that some have abrasive characteristics, which could damage some types pipes. Among the non-abrasive methods stand the Flushing and Air scouring. Flushing uses the lubricating oil which circulates in temperatures alternating and high speeds, for generating turbulence to perform washing. The Air scouring method uses oil and filtered compressed air, injected into pipe, to generating higher flow, causing the power supply unit with fluid can work with lower power consumption and higher speeds, removing fouling of the pipe. The objective of this research is to evaluate the Reynolds number to correlate with the efficiency of cleaning the pipe. The method applied was the Air scouring and it was verified that the qualitative effects may occur when compared to Flushing. After testing, it was found that the chosen method brings significant changes in flow, and this flow regime varies considerably increasing the Reynolds number.

Jul 31, 2018

By Laurent Dorel

Surface quality monitoring is primarily implemented in the last steps of steel manufacturing before shipment to the end user. However, an increasing trend for also addressing this topic in the upstream stages, such as hot rolling plant, is tackled by Primetals Technologies to give steel producers the key to a global optimized yield management, and efficient “lessons learned” processes. After the last developments of SIAS Next Gen platform, including High Resolution and Near Infra-Red, some site results will be exposed on the very specific high constraints lines such as ESP Endless Strip Production and Plate Mills, and highlights the related most interesting aspects for our customers.

Aug 17, 2017

By KAZUKO RAMOS NISIOKA

Nesse trabalho é proposto uma investigação das propriedades eletrônicas de junções moleculares de Nanofitas ZigueZague de Grafeno (NZZG) e Phagrafeno (NZZPG) por meio da Teoria: 1- DFT/B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) para otimizar a geometria das moléculas; 2- DFT/LDA.PZ/DZP sobre a célula unitária da rede cristalina para obter as propriedades eletrônicas; 3- Teoria de Hückel Estendido/Função de Green de Não Equilíbrio (THE/FGNE) através da fórmula de Landauer-Buttiker para a região central acoplada entre 2 eletrodos. Nossos resultados exibem: (i) comportamento condutor e singularidades de Van-Hove; (ii) uma região não linear com característica de um dispositivo usual TEC para NZZG; (iii) duas regiões não lineares (RDNs) mostrando característica de um diodo túnel com 2 janelas de operação para NZZPG. Essas regiões não lineares de voltagem coincidem com os Vmin nas curvas Fowler-Nordheim (FN) e Lauritsen-Millikan (LM).

Oct 30, 2017

By Andrea Codutti, Gianni Tiussi, Andrea Tonnicchi, Morris Codarin

Essar Algoma Steel, Canada, awarded Danieli Transimissions a strategic order for the upgrade of the main drive spindles belonging to the most loaded stands of the Hot Strip Mill, F1-F2, F5 and F6. Featuring special heavy duty design and advanced torque monitoring system, these spindles replace existing competitors’ grease lubricated design with the efficient continuous oil lubricated solution to withstand the tough working conditions, increase life expectations and provide room for a product mix extension. The first couple of spindles have been installed in September 2017 by the expert Service team and are showing already good and reliable performance. Progressively all the others are being installed.

Oct 1, 2019

By Renan Bueno Wojciechowski, Yukio Shigaki

The quality of flat rolling process depends highly on multiple factors such as applied forces, materials involved for both strip and rolls, roll geometry and its positioning. To calculate the strip shape, a mathematical/numerical model can be applied, showing the final product and how the equipment behaves when changing some parameters. This is usually a time-consuming task for both user and computer, especially when it involves thin and hard strips. By coupling a quick rolling load calculation method as Bland-Ford and Finite Element Method (FEM) for roll stack deformation, it is possible to create an accurate and user-friendly rolling simulator. This paper presents the improvements done in the 3D FEM/multi-slab method and its actual capabilities by simulating two cases of a 6-High rolling mill. Different analysis in this equipment can be easily done in about 10 minutes by using the developed an electronic spreadsheet program interface and the folder generated with relevant results and logs. An operation manual and a commercial FE program plugins were made to aid construction of a completely new model. The code was created in a modularized way to assist the application of this simulator for other operational conditions.

Oct 1, 2019

By Nishit Patel

Development work on the use of plasma torches in blast furnace ironmaking was completed in the 1980s. The technology developers planned to reduce blast furnace coke consumption using electrical energy and large scale coal injection through the tuyeres. Since this time, Westinghouse Plasma Corporation has improved torch reliability with industrial experience in solid-waste-to-energy facilities, as well as metallurgical applications. As coke makes up one-third of the hot metal cost, savings efforts frequently seek to lower coke consumption by increasing process efficiency or replacing coke with cheaper fuels. Alter NRG and Hatch assessed the merits of using plasma torch technology to superheat the hot blast. Coke rate savings, electrical purchase requirements, and a financial analysis to implement the torches are presented.

Aug 17, 2017

By Rainer Fackert

3D-Measurements for slabs and heavy plate are now available and close the gap in the production chain. The measuring systems described in this presentation must be seen as high-tech solutions in the field of casting and rolling technology. The measuring systems were developed taking into consideration the harsh casting and rolling mill environment in which they are to be used, with the aim of achieving high operational reliability and eliminating disturbances. Interconnected quality management systems enable optimization across the complete production process. New limits are being defined constantly for all these developments. What is technically feasible today becomes normal practice tomorrow, and will probably be replaced by completely new technologies the day after.

Aug 16, 2017

By Rafael Abreu Fraga, Carlos Noberto Paula da Silva, Emanuelle Garcia Reis, Daniel Bojikian Matsubara

Since 2016 Gerdau Ouro Branco has been producing steel plates of various qualities and grades. However, it was not until 2018 that the first plates produced by accelerated cooling process were made available for external testing, in this case for large diameter UOE pipes manufacturing. Recent line pipe and OCTG specifications are showing that the oil and gas market still consumes regular API grades, such as X60, X65 and X70, however with increasing wall thicknesses, reaching values up to 1.5 inches. These specifications also demand longitudinal and transverse tensile guarantees and drop weight tear tests in temperatures as low as -40°C. Projects with these types of mechanical properties present process requirements as challenging as those necessary for higher API grades in lower thicknesses. This paper shows the steel design concepts and rolling routes for achieving the necessary properties for X70 steel plates in 28.15 mm. The microstructural features were also investigated and associated with the production process and the tensile and toughness results. Finally, challenges such as tensile anisotropy and DWTT abnormal fracture are presented.

Oct 1, 2019

By Raúl Daniel López

Ternium-Siderar steelmaking has been focused in permanent improvements and process optimization. At present the Slab Continuous Caster N°1 has been totally transformed after 20 years of uninterrupted work. The authors of this paper summarize and comment on aspects which were the main changes and place emphasis largely on those technological developments in which they have been active during that period. Productivity and quality have been our goals during the last 20 years; it has led us to improve process and to achieve better control tools. In the development of this presentation, the authors will put special emphasis on the explanation of those works that were made following their own experiences through the technical personnel who belong to the staff of the company.

Jul 30, 2018

By Luís Marcelo Marques Tavares, Gilvandro Bueno, Túlio MoreiraCampos

The HPGR development and application in the minerals industry resulted in an important increase in its application in iron ore pellet feed processing in the last decades. Vale SA was one of the pioneers in application of the HPGR in integrated plants, currently operating with six HPGRs in the pelletizing plants of Complexo de Tubarão (Vitória, ES). The work uses the mathematical model of the HPGR, proposed by Torres & Casali and modified by the present authors, to predict the performance of two industrial pellet feed HPGR units of the Complexo de Tubarão. Besides model validation, results of process simulations are shown in order to optimize the pellet feed pressing according to industrial demands, presenting different scenarios that are more attractive to HPGR operation. Simulations showed that it is feasible to reduce the specific surface area of the HPGR feed from 1770 cm²/g to 1570 cm²/g, allowing to produce a pellet feed of the same quality in its product (1911 cm²/g) and therefore reduce the work done by upstream ball milling.

Oct 1, 2019

By Francisco Morganti

Weight reduction is the main target of all carmakers, which results in a continuous development of new steel grades. Latest 3rdgeneration advanced high-strength steel grades (AHSS) are complex materials with special chemical compositions and multiphase microstructures. The pickling, annealing and galvanizing processes of these grades aresomewhatdifferent due to the changed chemical compositions and microstructures. Therefore, these innovative steel grades place new demands on the plant technology of pickling, annealing and galvanizing lines. The most significant challenges for the pickling process are sludge occurrence during pickling, varying pickling times, weld ability of the materials, changed visual appearance and required high surface qualities. The most important topic concerning annealing line is a precisely controlled and very flexible heating and cooling process in the furnace.One of the new requirements in galvanizing linesis the prevention of surface faults caused by bare spots, which can occur since these materials feature a higher content of alloying elements like silicon or manganese. Prevention is possible with the special pre-oxidation technologies.Due to the higher strength of the material also the mechanical equipment has to be designed differently in these lines. This paper describes the influences of the changed chemical composition and material characteristics of modern steel grades on the pickling, annealing and galvanizing process and gives an overview about the technical solutions.

Oct 30, 2017

By Eduardo Poltronieri Trés, Francisco de Assis Dutra Macedo, Gilvandro Bueno, Anderson Denadai Thomzini

The first industrial applications of roller presses at the comminution were in 1984 in the cement industry. Since then, the equipment has taken more space in the mineral industry. However, many challenges are still present in this equipment, more specifically regarding to ore breakage predictability. The application of this equipment in the pellet feed preparation is fundamental to increase the surface area (blaine index) of the mineral using reduced energy consumption. However, even after several pressing steps, it is still challenging to achieve granulometry in percentages required for the pelletizing process. Currently these levels are reached in wet milling processes, typically carried out in wet ball mills. For the of pellets formation in pelletizing plants, both pelletizing and the firing processes requires finer granulometry. The motivation of this work is to study the pelletizing process, comparing the physical quality of the pellets produced only through comminuted ore in roller press the pellets produced in conventional comminution using circuit with ball mill.

Oct 1, 2019

By Nicolás Lugo

The electric steel industry has reached a level of maturity in its relative participation in the world’s steel production. As the industry has grown and matured, EAF steel producers have participated in an ever more competitive market. This competition has led to a continuous search for lower cost alternatives for energy and input materials. Over the years, the Electric Steel Furnace community of operators has developed a variety of technological improvements geared to increasing EAF productivity. Operators have emphasized lowering operating costs and improving the quality of steels produced. Depending on market conditions, the EAF operators may run with different goals and priorities. In times of low demand, the goal may be to operate with an emphasis on cost and the goal of maximizing cost effective use of resources. When the market demand is high the goal may be to maximize EAF throughput. The objective of this work is to list some of the EAF operating best practices observed by our team in the electric arc furnace operations around the world. EAF operators can consider and possibly implement these practices depending on the specifics of each EAF operating reality.

Jul 29, 2018

By Edmar de Souza Silva, Antonio Augusto Gorni, Emanuelle Garcia Reis, Daniel Bojikian Matsubara

Controlled rolling followed by accelerated cooling, known worldwide as TMCP, aims to increase mechanical properties without toughness deterioration. The process principle is to promote the plate cooling with water jets along the range of the austenite transformation temperatures. The accelerated cooling process is only fully effective when controlled in an integrated manner, as it alone cannot ensure significant improvements in the final properties of steels. Plate surface quality depends on some parameters that must be controlled before the start of the plate accelerated cooling. Good flatness is essential to avoid irregular water accumulations during cooling. After the reheating process, the slab should have uniform temperature, uniform austenitic grain size and easily removable scale. The slab thermal and microstructural heterogeneities are inherited by the rolled plate and tend to increase further during the accelerated cooling. This results in flatness problems, high level of internal stresses and mechanical property variations. The descaling strategy is an extremely important factor and must be determined with great caution. It is important that scale thickness and distribution is uniform to ensure homogeneous cooling over the entire plate surface. Otherwise, there will be an uneven temperature distribution, which can cause serious problems of flatness, surface quality and mechanical properties.

Oct 1, 2019