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By Thais da Silva Ferrarini, Pedro Lucas Freitas

Com mais de 35 anos de operação, as 3 baterias de coque da ArcelorMittal Tubarão estão chegando em fim de vida útil, mas apesar disto tem que continuar operando e produzindo coque de qualidade. Suportando as condições operacionais mais diversas, a automação tem um papel importante para ajudar nestes desafios, ajudando nas ações para aumentar a vida útil das baterias, em ações de manutenção, controle térmico e outros mais.

Oct 1, 2019

By Alexander Fleischanderl

Steel market has become somehow unpredictable and requires quick adjustment in production conditions to survive in the harsh market environment. Steel production is not anymore driven by output records, but by efficient cost reduction measures to remain competitive under strongly varying production conditions. Energy efficient production and flexible raw material scenarios have become decisive factors to succeed and survive in our industry. Such scenarios have to be carefully investigated to be well prepared to adopt production steps continuously. The paper analyses various process opportunities to optimize energy and raw material consumption in the production route. Off-gas treatment systems have still a huge untapped potential to recover energy from the hot waste gases. This is valid for the EAF mini mills as well as for the integrated route. Various examples for waste heat recovery systems including resulting benefits are discussed for the EAF, agglomeration, blast furnace, direct reduction and BOF. New innovative bag-filter systems feature extremely low emission levels at lowest pressure loss and sound emission conditions. Also improved control and automation solutions support the operators to minimize the operation and maintenance costs of their off-gas system. Steelmaking by-products shall not be considered as residues, but as a valuable and cheap raw material source. The paper presents some show cases how to valorize slags as well as utilizing coke and iron oxide fines to increase productivity and minimize raw material cost. A new process for highly flexible converter steelmaking allowing for extraordinary high HBI and scrap rates above 50% and improved yield is discussed and evaluated

Oct 30, 2017

By Daniel Antonio Kapper Fabricio

Laboratórios realizam o ensaio para determinação da tenacidade à fratura KIC, mas para verificar a validade dos resultados, é importante que se estime a incerteza de medição do ensaio. O Guia para Expressão da Incerteza de Medição (GUM) apresenta um método reconhecido internacionalmente para se estimar a incerteza de ensaios quantitativos. O presente trabalho apresenta o desdobramento das etapas do GUM para o ensaio de KIC e a aplicação da planilha e do procedimento elaborados em um ensaio. Ao final, é realizada a análise crítica de quais fontes mais contribuíram para a incerteza de medição do ensaio executado.

Aug 8, 2018

By Armando Vazquez

When water enters the EAF, some chemically dissociates to H2 while some remains as H2O vapor. Depending on operating conditions the levels of combustible gases (CO and H2) and H2O are continually changing throughout the course of any individual heat and on a heat-toheat basis. The EFSOP® system has been implemented in more than 80 installations as a powerful tool to reduce furnace operation costs but with water detection technology the off gas technology is a valuable solution to improve safety. This paper describes the latest results when using Tenova Goodfellow’s new standalone water detection technology that for the first time provides real-time analysis of both H2O vapor and H2 from start-to-end of a heat. It involves a newly designed water cooled probe and heated line that eliminates condensation during off-gas sampling and an analyzer equipped with a proprietary system for analyzing both H2O vapor and H2.

Jul 30, 2018

By Sebastien Maillard, Stephane Georges, Thomas Vallee, Stanislas Mauuary

Steel strip manufacturing ever reinvents proposing new grades, requiring to tackle technical limitations of production systems. Primetals Technologies breaks through strip welding by expanding the welder LW21L “Asolid” technology used on low gauges for high-end market such as automotive CAL/CGL. Addressing the usual drawbacks in maintenance, operation and safety of current welding system based on mechanical cutting and CO2 laser welding, the newly developped LW21H “Asolid” technology processes thicker strips up to 7 mm with solid-state laser cutting and welding. This new welder is brought to reality through a scale 1:1 pilot developed, manufactured and tested in Primetals Technologies workshop.

Oct 1, 2019

By Aaron Samuel Young, Hiago Antunes Amador de Oliveira, William Pratt Rogers

Low commodity prices and lack of new high-grade deposits are pushing the mining industry for innovation. Lean mining has been vastly discussed in the past decades as a way to continuously improve mining efficiency. Although very theoretical, lean mining presents a set of new solutions enabled by the digital transformation that the mining industry is going through. This paper proposes a framework for a short interval control system with the purpose to allow timely responses by front line supervisors upon operational deviations. In the first part, the author briefly reviews concepts of short-range planning and lean mining. Then, the materials and methods used for the development of the short interval control system are discussed. Finally, alpha trial results are presented, and next steps discussed.

Oct 3, 2019

By Jovanir Francisqueto, José Fagundes, Nayara Neves Coutinho, Marco Túlio Costa

The purpose of this project is to increase the visibility of which will be daily produced on the hot strip mill (HSM). The forecast was performed through the implementation of an automated tool for weekly HSM production planning. The project was started with the definition of the weekly planning process, through the determination of the main business objectives, like as: priorities of service (customers and delivery date), definition of HSM’s rules and restrictions of operating resources. Using a sophisticated mathematical model, through the computational simulation is possible the experimentation of various production scenarios, allowing the visualization of volumes by type of sequence, clients / priorities, mix to be produced, cylinder change quantity forecast, better forecasting of the productivity of the HSM, consumption of utilities, within others. Main benefits: sequencing which production orders should be produced, reducing unforeseen stops due lack of material, improving the quality of the stock which allows the reduction of the aging of slabs in the slabyard and the vision of customer services. Computational simulation as a weekly planning tool achieve, with other benefits, to present alternatives for better decision making.

Oct 6, 2019

By Vitor Guarnier Domiciano

The need to adjust the monolithic refractories to increasingly severe and unstable Blast Furnace casthouse operating conditions has been a major challenge for refractory suppliers in order to guarantee the runner’s safety and its availability for operation. This paper presents the properties of a new robust single line Al2O3-SiC-C refractory castable developed to endure the severe operating conditions that main runners are facing in today's Blast Furnace casthouse scenario. Practical results during almost one year of testing revealed a significant lower wear speed of the new refractory lining when compared to a standard product.

Aug 1, 2018

By Jorge Madias

La mayor parte de las máquinas de colada continua de palanquillas que utilizan buzas calibradas y lubricación con aceite se operan con alta velocidad de colada en secuencias largas, obteniendo alta productividad. Muchos de ellos todavía practican la inyección de aluminio en el molde, para desoxidar el acero líquido sin riesgo de obturación de las buzas. También es todavía usual la práctica de “pescar” la nata que se forma en el menisco. Las salpicaduras del chorro de cuchara contribuyen a la formación de chanchos en el repartidor, requiriendo el lanceo con oxígeno. Alternativamente, diversas plantas prefieren utilizar tubo de protección entre cuchara y repartidor y protección con gas inerte del chorro del repartidor al molde en todos los grados de acero colados con buza calibrada. Se hace una comparación entre ambas prácticas desde los puntos de vista de inversión, costo operativo, seguridad, productividad y calidad.

Jul 30, 2018

By Julián Andrés Ortiz González

This work presents a series of experiments of Fatigue Crack Growth (FCG), which are intended to provide evidence about the main parameter controlling this phenomenon, whereas still no agreement about this, since the Paris´ theory is based on the principle that FCG is controlled by the ?K and the Elber´s theory says that the driving force is ?Keff. For the development of the experiments, some DC(T) specimens were machined with two different thicknesses: 2 and 30 mm to perform FCG tests in plane stress and plane strain state, respectively. Besides this, all FCG tests were carried out with a constant ?K e Kmax, measuring the strain with a Strain-Gage bonded on the back face of the specimen and seven Strain-Gages located on the crack growth path. The data needed to measure the crack opening load, and the ?Keff, were collected through a program developed in Labview. Finally, the data post-processing was carried out based on the ASTM standards and several articles of recognized authors in this field, in order to compare the two positions with the experimental data, and this way conclude which is the most consistent theory with the observed behavior.

Aug 16, 2017

By Gabriel Andrade Medeiros, Christian Brugger, Paul Pennerstorfer, Daniel Fuchshuber, Reinhold Leitnerl

State-of-the-art automation technology enables digitalization of the continuous casting process that goes far beyond conventional automation of industrial production. Primetals Technologies provides a digital twin that combines an intelligent digital representation of a casting machine as well as the casting process and the slabs, blooms or billets that are produced. It allows metallurgists and process engineers to predict the behavior of the involved complex production process and optimize parameters before using them in real production. New steel grades or production processes can be evaluated off-line without any risks to process stability and product quality. Primetals Technologies installs the digital twin with every new installation of a continuous caster optimization system. This paper describes how the setup and simulation possibilities of the digital twin provide numerous benefits by modelling and simulating the casting process. It allows for example the calculation of material properties according to the actual composition, strand surface temperature profiles and dynamic soft reduction before the final point of solidification. An outstanding feature of the digital twin is the replay functionality provided for various models to analyze and further optimize real production situations. The paper also gives an example how usage of the digital twin optimized production at a customer.

Oct 1, 2019

By Christiano Gianesi Bastos Andrade

Clays with high content of smectite are denominated bentonites, and are widely used in industry as, for example, agents for bleaching of vegetable oils, animals and minerals. For this use, the smectite clays are treated with inorganic acid of high concentration at temperatures under boiling point, which provide the bentonite´s bleaching power. In the present study, a sample of smectite from Cubati, Paraiba, Brazil, was submitted to treatment under moderate conditions (90°C, reaction times of 1, 6, 12, 18 and 24hours in close reactor, concentration of the aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid 1.5 M, acid solution/clay ratio of 1g/10mL), aiming to reduce impurities, responsible for the color of the clay, without causing significant changes in their structure. Thus, clay can be used in the cosmetics industry and other products with high added value. The treated clay was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), stereomicroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray detector (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was observed a bleaching in samples with time of 12h to 18h. With the DRX was possible to monitor the peak intensity of the clay structure and the sample with 12 hours of treatment was not significantly altered its crystalline structure, maintaining the peak clay at d001. The most pronounced changes in the bleaching occurred within the first 12 hours of acid treatment.

Aug 8, 2018

By Jan Bak

Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), which is operated by the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), was inaugurated in 1959 and was the first Integrated Steel Plant in the public sector in India. In 2013, RSP commissioned their No. 5, 4060 m³ Blast Furnace, India's largest. It was built as a turn-key project by a consortium consisting of Danieli Corus and Tata Projects Ltd. and is entirely based on the technology and know-how of Danieli Corus. The new Blast Furnace is the key element of an expansion program that doubles the plant's production capacity and with much of the existing ironmaking capacity reaching the end of its technical and economic life span, it enables RSP to meet existing as well as growing demand for its products. This article discusses how this greenfield Blast Furnace was built in an existing and operating Integrated Steel Plant. It covers the accommodation of land, planning of the new installation to fit the available plot as well as the updated logistical lay-out of the plant. Technical details of the installation are presented, including their consequences for RSP's environmental performance and new perspectives for campaign planning.

Aug 2, 2018

By Márcia Maria da Silva Monteiro Pereira

Durante o lingotamento contínuo de aço, partículas de ZrO2 adicionadas na escória de molde facilitam a nucleação heterogênea de cristais devido à sua limitada solubilidade. A adição de ZrO2 promove a cristalização da fase cuspidina, o que auxilia na redução da transferência horizontal de calor no molde, amenizando desta forma o problema das trincas longitudinais. Outro benefício da adição de ZrO2 em pós fluxantes é reduzir a taxa de desgaste da válvula submersa (SEN) na interface metal/escória; a erosão da SEN é um problema sério. Através de testes de laboratório e de testes industriais concluiu-se que a adição de ZrO2 em pós fluxantes reduz a taxa de transferência de calor horizontal no molde durante o lingotamento contínuo de aço, considerando os dois tipos de pós fluxantes que foram analisados no presente trabalho. Além disso, observou-se que a adição de ZrO2 reduz a taxa de desgaste da válvula submersa na interface metal/escória.

Aug 16, 2017

By Martin Chabicovsky, Milan Hnizdil

Emulsions are frequently used for the cooling and lubrication of working rolls during the cold rolling. The fact that the lubrication and cooling are not separable makes the optimization of both functionalities difficult. The higher emulsion temperature decreases the cooling efficiency compared to cold water. Heat transfer and fluid flow laboratory (Czech Republic), CRM (Belgium), Tata steel (Netherlands) and Henkel (Germany) cooperated on the increasing of a cooling efficiency during cold rolling. Part of this research was focused on an influence of the emulsion composition on a cooling intensity. The cooling efficiency was laboratory investigated. The stainless steel sample with thermocouple was heated and then it was cooled by a nozzle. Tests were performed with various emulsions and pure water. The heat transfer coefficient was computed from measured temperatures. The cooling intensity (heat transfer coefficient) of all tested emulsions was similar but an increase of the cooling intensity was found with water. Further various emulsions concentrations were tested. Results showed decreasing cooling intensity with increasing oil concentration. Adding additives therefore is thought to cause a noticeable decrease of the cooling intensity.

Oct 1, 2019

By Filippo Verlezza

The 3-roll technology is a recognized process applied to SBQ production. The main aim of this paper is to show the latest developments on this technology including other equipment´s that also contributes for a better performance on SBQ coils production.

Jul 30, 2018

By Keli Vanessa Salvador Damin

O tratamento de austenitização é de fundamental importância para a qualidade do aço Hadfield, já que é o tratamento que garantirá a total austenitização do material. Dentre as variáveis que devem ser controladas estão à temperatura de tratamento e velocidade de resfriamento. O presente trabalho aborda um estudo de caso sobre o controle da temperatura dentro do forno de tratamento térmico bem como o comportamento da temperatura da água na piscina durante o resfriamento do material.

Aug 16, 2017

By Matheus Sampaio Modesto de Paula

O presente trabalho mostra o desenvolvimento de um produto, até então não comercializado pela CSN/PR, criado para o aproveitamento da capacidade ociosa de seu laminador reversível a frio. Historicamente, a produção do laminador era direcionada exclusivamente para o abastecimento de uma linha de galvanização contínua, mas trabalhos bem sucedidos para o aumento da produtividade do laminador resultaram em capacidade excedente do equipamento. Diante desse cenário, a comercialização de bobinas Full Hard se tornou uma opção viável para a abertura de mercado e aumento de competitividade, frente a atual pressão imposta por produtos importados. Visitas aos potenciais clientes foram necessárias para o levantamento das características importantes a seus processos produtivos e adequação dos parâmetros utilizados no laminador reversível. Atualmente o produto está homologado e sendo fornecido a clientes externos, e espera-se o aumento da carteira, dependendo apenas da evolução do mercado.

Jul 30, 2018

By Shibu John

The COREX® process is beside the FINEX® technology the only industrially realized alternative to the blast furnace route for the production of hot metal. Changes in the raw material sector in respect of decrease in quality, strictly enforced environmental laws and positive operation results of COREX® reference plants make it worth to carefully re-evaluate the COREX® technology in comparison with the traditional blast furnace technology. Integrated Plant concepts based on COREX® offer solutions for future challenges of the iron- and steelmaking industry, which include: economical hot metal production; efficient and highly economic export gas utilization (power generation, DRI production, syngas production for chemical products); lower raw material cost, higher raw material availability; environmental friendly high grade steel production. The economic evaluation of different COREX® gas based plant concepts in comparison with the traditional blast furnace route shows that the COREX® technology is highly competitive in the challenging iron and steel producing environment.

Aug 17, 2017

By Daniel Mapa Clemente

Processing of tin slags in reduction furnaces was studied in order to optimize tin recovery and reduce recirculation rates of slags containing thorium and uranium oxides. A theoretical approach considering a mass balance of the process was developed and adjusted by experimental results in order to predict the final slag composition. A metallic phase (FeSnSi) was discovered trapped in the slag due to high apparent viscosity, raising the FeO and SnO2 contents of the slag sample. This FeSnSi alloy is rich in tin and its recovery would help to reduce the slags recirculation. High contents of ZrO2 were found in the slag, restricting it from reaching complete fluid phase. Through an analysis of the slag in the CaO-FeOx-SiO2 and ZrO2-CaO-SiO2 phase systems it can be concluded that final slags should be modeled aiming fluid phase at working conditions and additions should be planned in order to control ZrO2 levels.

Oct 30, 2017