Search Documents

By Nicola Santangelo

The current economic crisis and growing environmental issues have led the steel industry to face the simultaneous effects of low demand and production overcapacity in a globalized steel market, whilst confronting high energy prices and the need to comply with the green economy. Heat Recovery from waste gas of the Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) represents one of the greatest opportunities to reduce the consumption of primary energy and reduce the CO2 emissions in steel industry. The heat of the off-gas, if recovered and converted into electrical power, can make the whole Fumes Treatment Plant autonomous from the electric point of view, thus making it a “Zero-Energy FTP”. The concept is to substitute the Cooling Components (Water Cooled Panels and Air Cooler) are substituted with Heat Recovery Components (Hot Water Cooled Panels and Heat Exchanger). The recovered heat can be converted into power by using an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) turbine. The heat recovered by the HWCP and the Heat Exchanger is characterized by a variable thermal power, which affects the efficiency of the downstream ORC System. Danieli, in collaboration with the University of Udine, has developed the Thermal Stabilizer Unit (TSU). Danieli has realized the first step towards Zero Energy FTP at ABS steelmaking plant (Italy) by installing a CHR® - Clean Heat Recovery. This plant has been started up on 17th October 2014. The HMI of the CHR® is integrated in the HMI of the furnace, so all the process could be kept under control by the furnace operator. At ABS recovered thermal power reaches 5.5 MW. The max power production reached with CHR plant in ABS (over 1MW of electric power) consents an annual saving of approx. 500,000 EUR.

Aug 16, 2017

By Otávio da Fonseca Martins Gomes, Renata Hiraga de Vasconcellos Cruz

Maghemite is a mineral formed from magnetite oxidation at low temperatures, an intermediate term of the magnetite-hematite series. Maghemite could be misidentified as magnetite by X-ray diffraction, and/or as hematite by spot chemical analysis. Nevertheless, non-stoichiometric magnetite was detected and quantified in samples of Brazilian soils and iron ores by the Rietveld method refinement of its structure. The results were confirmed by optical microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, thus validating the method. X-ray diffraction with the refinement of the isomorphic substitution of Fe2+ by Fe3+ along the magnetite-maghemite solid solution could help to suitably characterize maghemite in iron ores.

Oct 3, 2019

By Emerson Sena Balbino, Emylle Alves Leitão, Gabriel Arthur Guieiro, Lucas van Melis

The deployment of autonomous haulage system causes several impacts in mining production chain, being necessary an appropriate change management policy, crucial to observe and gather all the benefits brought by the technology. The change management is also necessary to guarantee the adaptability of the organization in the long term. This paper briefly presents the technology deployed in the autonomous trucks at Vale's iron ore Brucutu mine, the changes that the operation team faces in the adoption of autonomous technology and the required training path to develop new procedures to deal with the sensitivity of the autonomous haulage system, besides the new operational dynamics from a process point of view, with safer, more consistent and more productive operations.

Oct 3, 2019

By Saul Garcia Hernandez

The research work objective is to study a new ladle shroud internal design to reduce the slag emulsification in the tundish during ladle transient periods. A 3D mathematical model of the tundish was created to solve the fundamental equations, a turbulence model, and a multiphase model. The results show that using a conventional ladle shroud, the fluid is delivered with an excessive amount of kinetic energy being dissipated inside the tundish bath, generating strong mixing flow patterns and entrapping a massive amount of slag. In the other hand, the proposed ladle shroud dissipates the kinetic energy before the fluid enters the tundish promoting less intense mixing patterns; thus, the amount of slag emulsification is reduced significantly. Consequently, if the internal design of the ladle shroud is able to dissipate the kinetic energy before the fluid enters the tundish, it shall be possible to reduce considerable the slag emulsification and the slag opening area.

Aug 17, 2017

By J. N. Stevens, M. Tulwin, P. J. Lawlor

All metals producers are on an unending search for a competitive advantage. They need to produce in the most cost effective way. Sometimes a new mill might be considered but in this paper we present examples of how this might not always be necessary. A detailed investigation by an equipment vendor who can consider the mill and or plant as a complete entity: mechanics, automation and process control can often find solutions that are both lower cost and can be implemented in shorter time frames.

Oct 1, 2019

By Leonardo Semedo de Mattos Siqueira, Renata Ferreira Muller

The Granulometric Ratio (RG) is one of the most important indicators related to the pelletizing product. Through it, it guarantees good permeability of the bed of pellets, optimization of the thermal cycle and, thus, better results of physical quality and consumption of the energy matrix. To guarantee this indicator, it is necessary that the processes of agglomeration of pellets, classification of raw pellets and screening of burned pellets are under control of certain parameters and with a level of stability assured.

Oct 1, 2019

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 Ronaldo Esteves Ribeiro, Jefferson Felipe Faria Clemente, Carlos Victor Francisco dos Santos, José Herbert Dolabela da Silveira

n recent years, the market for thick plates has been highly competitive, in this scenario the plates quality is a critical success factor. In this process, the quality of the cut in thick plates is one of the important requirements for the customers, by the visual aspect as well as the technical aspect of the plate application. In the shear line, the cutting is done by shearing to trim tips, subdivide plates, trim side edges, remove samples, eliminate defects, etc. The cut is obtained by the penetration of the upper knife in the plate, causing plastic deformation in a certain region and hardening. If the clearance between the knives is adequate, the cracks will be close to the centre of the plate thickness and will result in a good cut quality. This work will present the theory of cutting of thick plates, the types of shearing, the quality of the edge in the cut, the types and the main characteristics of the knives.

Oct 1, 2019

By Janaina Gonçalves Maria da Silva Machado, Carlos Mateus Braga de Almeidar, Leandro Miranda Nascimento

Knowing the reduction of the concentration of iron in the mineral load extracted in the last decades and, therefore, greater need for comminution processes, there is no denying that iron ores tend to get increasingly thin for steelmakers. In Reactors such as Blast Furnace and others of fusion-reduction, where the reduction of the iron ore for the metallic iron for the steel production occurs, we observed that one of the alternatives is to agglomerate the raw materials in the form of briquettes, improving the kinetics of the chemical reactions, since ores in the form of fines impair factors such as the permeability required for reduction. These agglomerates are composed of a reducer, fines of ferrous materials and a binder material, and require, in addition to satisfactory Metallization, mechanical resistance, avoiding losses when the compound is fragmented during transport or during its deposition in the Steel Reactor. In the following work, Briquettes were produced with Charcoal, Pellet Feed, Molasses Cane and Hydrated Lime. The mixtures were pressed under different conditions of Pressure (1, 2 and 3 tons-force), and pressing time (20 , 60 and 100 seconds), aiming to analyze the influence of these two variables on the drop tests, mechanical resistance of the briquettes generated.

Oct 1, 2019

By Elcio Correia de Souza Tavares

No estado do RN o êxodo da população residente na zona rural para a zona urbana ocorre de forma ainda acentuada, tendo como agravante o ciclo de secas periódicas. Outro problema do estado é a desertificação, que vem tomando proporções maiores ao longo dos anos, e em algumas regiões específicas, gera relevante preocupação ambiental, uma vez que as cerâmicas ali presentes utilizam a vegetação local como combustível nos fornos de tecnologia tradicional. Embora se tenha consciência deste problema, pouco se percebe em termos de iniciativa para saná-lo, uma vez que o setor é marcado pela baixa tecnologia empregada. Uma alternativa para a construção de residências para a população de baixo poder aquisitivo é a utilização de tijolos feitos de solo-cimento. O solo-cimento é uma mistura íntima e bem proporcionada de solo com cimento Portland, de tal modo que haja uma estabilização daquele por este, melhorando as propriedades da mistura. O tijolo feito de solo-cimento é caracterizado por um menor custo final que o tradicional e pela baixa agressão ao meio ambiente, uma vez que não é queimado. Neste trabalho foram produzidos tijolos de terra crua misturada com cimento (20% a 30%) e compactados em prensa manual. Foram realizados análises dos materiais empregados e de resistência à compressão dos tijolos produzidos. Verificou-se que o tijolo de solo-cimento possui resistência a compressão dentro das normas e facilidade de fabricação, proporcionado assim uma solução alternativa para o setor.

Aug 8, 2018

By Glaydson Simões dos Reisr

Micropore organosilicas (MOs) were synthesized using methyl-phenyl-polysiloxane as precursor. The MOs were characterized using several analytical and functional techniques. The materials were assigned as micropores materials, with specific surface area up to 642 m2 g-1 and yield up to 72.55%. The adsorbents have hydrophobic surfaces and were used for removal of diclofenac from aqueous solutions. The adsorption kinetic and isothermal data were well described by the general order and Sips models, respectively. Diclofenac exhibited a better affinity than NM and the mechanism of adsorption suggested that hydrophobic groups play a key role in the adsorption process.

Aug 17, 2017

By Cristiano José Scheuer

Experiments were carried out aiming to study the influence of micro-abrasive wear test variables and plasma treatment parameters, on the tribological characteristics of low-temperature plasma carburized AISI 420 steel. The first part of this study was conducted in order to evaluate the influence of abrasive particle size, normal load and counter body rotation speed on carburized sample wear behavior; and the second part was conducted in order to evaluate the treatment temperature and time effect on carburized samples wear behavior. Plasma carburizing treatments were performed at 8 and 12 h, for temperatures ranging from 350 to 500°C; and at constant temperatures of 400°C for times between 12 to 48h, and for 450°C for times of 4 to 16h. Micro-abrasive wear test were performed by mean of a calowear ball-cratering equipment using a polished ball of AISI 52100 steel rotating at 80, 120 and 160 rpm, for sliding distances from 2.6 to 104.2 m. Alumina abrasive particles with sizes of 0.05, 0.3 and 1.0 ?m were employed. The normal loads applied on this study were 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 N. Carburized sample was characterized by mean of OM, XRD and hardness measurements. Worn crater characteristics were evaluated by confocal laser microscopy. Results showed that the transient wear regime prevails along the outer layer length (composed by Fe3C and ?’C), and the steady-state wear stabilizes in the diffusion layer region (composed by ?’C). It was verified that the wear rate and wear coefficient decreases with treatment temperature in the range of 350–450°C and increase for 500°C. It was also verified that the wear rate and wear coefficient decreases with treatment time in the range of 12–36 h (for 400°C cycle) and 4–12 h (for 450°C cycle), and increase for larger treatment times due the chromium carbide precipitation. It was also found that the wear coefficient increases with the increase of abrasive particle size, and decrease with the increase in counter body rotation speed and normal load. Lastly, the analysis of the worn craters indicates the occurrence of grooving and micro-rolling abrasion wear mechanisms.

Aug 17, 2017

By Maurilio Pereira Gomes

The aim of this work was to heat treat and characterize sintered valve seat inserts (VSI). The powder metallurgy route was the only way found to substitute cobalt and lead, used in the VSI original alloy, due to their high cost and toxicological effect, respectively. The studied VSI was obtained with AISI M2 high-speed steel powder mixed with iron powder and other additives such as manganese sulphide, graphite, zinc stearate, carbides and copper, which was added by metallic infiltration. All the VSI were air quenched and double tempered, for one hour each, at seven different equidistantly temperatures, ranging from 100 °C up to 700 °C. The physical and mechanical properties were evaluated by means of the VSI apparent density, apparent hardness and crush radial strength. The chemical composition was determined through gas analysis, for the light elements such as carbon and sulfur, and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for other elements. Microstructural characterization was performed with the support of scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Regarding the VSI final application, the best results were achieved with the inserts air quenched and double tempered at 600 °C.

Oct 30, 2017

By Mirko Jurkovic, Thomas Hueper, Jens Kempken

The high competition scenario pushes the steel producers business. Zero defect requirements from customers force the operators for additional efforts in process control and quality management. PQA® has been developed as an advanced process and quality management assurance solution. It is focusing on the analysis of process data, equipment information, inline quality measurement devices and trend analysis. The paper describes the structure of the advanced process and quality management assurance solution PQA®; it gives insights on the expert know-how, process and quality evaluation and points out the benefits like cost reduction, improvement yield and customer satisfaction increase.

Oct 1, 2019

In today’s competitive steelmaking environment, the optimization and continuous supervision of the blast furnace process is of major importance. Modern probes and process measurement systems can assess the specific operation of the blast furnace. They provide a better and detailed process understanding and control. The benefits are even more important when they are combined with process models and expert systems. Everyday operation, productivity and even the lifetime of a blast furnace can be significantly improved by collecting, interpreting and acting upon such process data correctly. Only a comprehensive knowledge of the various process phenomena together with measurement of process variables inside the blast furnace enables the operators to optimize coke and fuel rates, to run the blast furnace smooth, reliable, and safe, and to make best use of the available raw materials. While the improvement of the blast furnace process with respect to productivity remains the main task, also, the timely identification of abnormalities and the assessment of process variations is an objective. This paper describes the blast furnace measurement systems that are available for everyday automatic use and provides an understanding for the possibilities of modern probes. The different applications are daily blast furnace supervision, charging process optimization, and observation of the internal state. Finally, the paper gives recommendations on probe configurations for different blast furnaces sizes, considering both a technical and an economical point of view.

Aug 2, 2018

By Verônica Scarpini Candido

O comprimento crítico das fibras vegetais é um importante parâmetro para melhorar as propriedades dos compósitos por elas reforçados. Assim, esse trabalho tem como objetivo determinar o comprimento crítico das fibras de bucha vegetal para possíveis aplicações em compósitos poliméricos. Para a execução desse ensaio, as fibras foram embutidas em matriz polimérica e depois foi feito ensaio de pullout. Os resultados mostraram que o comprimento crítico das fibras de bucha é igual a 2,14mm

Aug 16, 2017

By Fernanda Moreno Rodrigues

A adição de elementos microligantes para o controle do crescimento do grão austenítico vem sendo largamente utilizada nas últimas décadas. O Nióbio é tido como o elemento mais importante deste grupo, pois produz precipitados finos na matriz que ancoram os contornos de grão, retardando o seu crescimento. O presente trabalho avalia o efeito do Nióbio no tamanho do grão austenítico do aço VEX, um aço ferramenta para trabalho a quente utilizado para extrusão de alumínio. O estudo baseou-se na comparação entre duas composições químicas, uma sem Nióbio e outra com microadição de 0,02%. Ambas foram caracterizadas microestruturalmente e quanto à tenacidade. O tamanho de grão foi avaliado após austenitização entre 980°C e 1.200°C. Os resultados mostram que a adição de Nióbio é efetiva no refino de grão em elevadas temperaturas, o que é relevante para a aplicação industrial do aço em questão.

Aug 7, 2018

By Jackson Teixeira de Oliveira, Douglas Batista Mazzinghy, Vanderson Eney de Matos, Alexandre Camilo Leles de Figueiredo

This work studied the effect of different ball sizes in the secondary grinding stage of Samarco. The Moly-Cop Tools 3.01 spreadsheet was used for models calibration and simulations, considering grinding balls topsize of 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35mm diameters. A normal specific selection function up to the largest fed ore particle size (840μm) was obtained. The higher generation of fines and compliance with particle size specifications (+ 74μm and -44μm) proved to be more favorable for smaller ball sizes. The specific energy consumption was lower for the 15mm ball (10.7kWh/t), increasing up to the 35mm ball (13.0kWh/t). Although smaller diameter balls seem to be the best option for the size specifications, some factors may limit their use, such as: the higher generation of specific surface area; and the amount of ball purge in the discharge of the mills.

Oct 3, 2019

By Verônica Scarpini Candido

Compósitos poliméricos reforçados com fibras naturais tem sido alvo de diversos estudos na atualidade. A determinação de suas propriedades tecnológicas, bem como o tipo de fratura apresentada são importantes ferramentas para a fabricação desses novos materiais. Assim, esse trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a região da fratura de compósitos poliméricos reforçados com fibras de bagaço de cana-deaçúcar ensaiados em tração. Os compósitos foram ensaiados em tração e a região da fratura foi analisada por microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Os resultados mostraram que tanto a matriz polimérica quantos os compósitos apresentaram fratura frágil, evidenciada por marcas de rio.

Aug 16, 2017

By Renata Cristina Alves Elias

A análise por microscopia óptica em quase partículas, obtidas após a aglomeração a frio, é de grande importância para o entendimento do processo de sinterização, pois permite determinar aspectos qualitativos e quantitativos da aglomeração, assim como identificar o arranjo microestrutural entre as partículas nucleantes, aderentes, combustíveis e fundentes das misturas a sinterizar. Neste contexto, foi desenvolvida uma metodologia para preparar e analisar ao microscópio amostras da mistura a sinterizar, visando auxiliar na identificação de relações entre as suas características e os parâmetros de produção e de qualidade do sínter. O método desenvolvido permite determinar a porcentagem de quase partículas, de partículas não aglomeradas e de partículas micropelotizadas em cada amostra. Além disso, permite identificar e medir as dimensões do material (minério, sínter, coque, fundente, quartzo) que constitui o núcleo de cada quase partícula e avaliar o material que não aglomera.

Aug 1, 2018