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By Gustavo Borges Tiboni

The erosive wear caused by the impact of solid particles against a surface is a tribological phenomenon present in many segments of the industry, such as transportation, aerospace, mining, power generation, among others. The most usual method to set the wear rate is by measuring the mass loss of the material. In order to apply one technique with potential to determine the rate of erosion wear, this study developed a dedicated equipment and conducted preliminary erosion tests monitored by non-destructive testing known as acoustic emission technique (AE). This can be defined as a technique able to detect mechanical waves generated by the release of elastic energy accumulated in the material. Erosion tests were performed in order to evaluate the ability of equipment to collect data from AE and to correlate these data with the wear of the samples. Samples of low carbon steel eroded by the impact of angular aluminum oxide particles suspended in air at three different velocities: 45, 57 and 67 m/s. The impact angle between the particles and the sample was set at 30 degrees and the test temperature at approximately 20°C. The wear rate has changed with the velocity in accordance with the kinetic energy of the particles and the AE parameter RMS showed sensitivity to the variation of particle impact velocity and to the wear of the sample eroded. The rate of AE signals collected over time correlated with the flow of particles striking the sample, and with the parameters of energy, rise time and duration of the signal.

Jul 31, 2018

By Woo, Hur, Kim, Ki Nam, Seung Min, Kyoung Sik

Tandem cold mill (TCM) is a process to obtain flatness as well as thickness desired by the customer by rolling hot-rolled coils continuously. The final stand of the TCM plays the most important role of flatness control, which usually uses the real-time measurement at the exit. However, as the material property increases, it is not easy to handle flatness with only the final stand. In order to overcome such a limitation, we propose a feedback control method to strengthen flatness control for non-final stands. The proposed method was tested in an actual production line, and the effect is proved for 45K or less steel grade.

Oct 1, 2019

By Michel Rodrigo Luiz, Glaucio Augusto Polini, Giardini F. Lazzarin

ArcelorMittal's pickling and cold rolling line has been demanded to increase production since the installation of equipments in 2015. In addition to the improvement in productivity related to these new equipment, one of them the automatic surface inspection system (SIAS), work has also been developed in other equipment seeking improvement of production indicators. The present article exposes the actions and gains that were achieved with actions on two equipments in the same section as the Side Trimmer. The first one deals with the optimization of time gains with sequencing adjustments without financial contribution, using only internal labor seeking reduction of unproductive times by adjustments of the side trimmer in the cold strip mill. The second item discussed demonstrates the actions and the gains generated due to the availability of new resources (installation of SIAS equipment), the optimization of these resources seeking a focus on the reduction of ruptures in the tandem cold mill, configuring the same in the aid of the identification of critical defects and also in the automatic speed reduction action of the tandem cold mill in defects considered serious. In both cases the intention was to improve production, seeking to improve the results of the section and the line.

Oct 1, 2019

By Wolfgang Kern

More and more coke oven plants worldwide face the task to improve their emission reduction at their coke oven batteries. In the 90’s PROven® was invented and developed by DMT to regulate the inner pressure of a single coke oven chamber. Generally, most of the coke oven chambers can only close and open their connection to the collecting main but without the possibility to regulate the pressure during the carbonization time. Through the installation of PROven® the load on the coke oven door sealing system and the charging lids will be decreased and so does the emissions of crude COG as well. The current PROven® system, installed in the collecting main, does not only regulate the chamber pressure, it replaces the valve between the goose neck and the collecting main, too. This variable pressure control allows decreasing the leakages at the emissions sources to a minimum and allows operating the collecting main under optimum pressure. Subsequently, this will lead to enhanced emission reduction. PROven® proved its value with more than 2,100 units installed by licensee worldwide. Nevertheless, DMT is always focused on its client’s needs and therefore enhance PROven® to provide the Best Available Technique (BAT). Among the main features of the now available system is the plain arrangement with a higher reliability and the possibility to install the system outside of the collecting main without modifying it. Hence, upgrading coke oven plants during operation is possible without any noticeable impact on the plant operation.

Aug 1, 2018

By Yong Tian, Tian Zhang, Zhao-Dong Wang

To meet the requirements of high-performance steel plates, while reducing manufacturing costs and saving energy, the advanced cooling system for plate mill (ADCOS-PM) with functions of accelerated cooling (ACC), ultra-fast cooling (UFC), and direct quenching (DQ) was researched and developed by the State Key Laboratory of Rolling and Automation (RAL). Since 2003, several sets of ADCOS-PM device were developed and implemented in industrial practice. To fully utilize the ADCOS-PM technology, the combination of various strengthening mechanisms was promoted by NG-TMCP technology and low-cost, high performance plates were produced such as pipeline steels, and high-strength construction machinery steel.

Oct 1, 2019

By José Aparecido Pereira

The customer asked for a 5” angle roll pass design. For this angle, in a normal pass design, a 160mm billet is required. For the production of this billet would be necessary a new 160mm mold for the Continuous Casting Machine, which produces 150mm billets, increasing the complexity of the melt shop. The rolling mill is designed to produce angles up to 4", technical information recommended the replacement of a gearbox because this process would generate torque up to 15% above nominal. An innovative roll pass design was done using 150mm billet using the Aparecido-W Method that cause a higher spread in the first three passes, thus reaching the desired leg length. As this method is not used in any other known rolling mill, a FES (Finite Element Simulation) and FEM (Finite Element Modeling) was done by a Research & Development center which demonstrated that the design was viable. From July, 2018, three tests were done being produced around 700 t of good quality products without difficulty of set up. The rolling mill team carried out this project at a very low cost and in record time of five months. The average torque of the motors was 36%, without overload for the equipment.

Oct 1, 2019

By Guilherme Guidugli

The hot blast stoves are a regenerative heat exchange system, accounting for 10 to 20% of the total energy requirement in an integrated steel plant, responsible for the supply of about one-third of the blast furnace heat input and responsible for a constant flow of hot air to the blast furnace, according to the required production. Because of their important role in the hot metal production, a stable operation and an appropriate combustion control is necessary. This paper aims to present the results of an investigation and modifications performed as an operating multi-furnace plant, as well as the parameters considered to ensure thermal equilibrium, improving in the stoves heating cycle.

Aug 16, 2017

By Luca Tommasi

Danieli complemented its wide range of production plants for the iron and steel industry with a further step upstream into iron ore pelletizing and beneficiation. Danieli has engineered and constructed a state of the art and fully automated pilot plant facility – pot grate and sinter box – at Altos Hornos de Mexico S.A. (AHMSA) Pelletizing Plant, Monclova, Mexico. Installation and commissioning were completed in October 2009. Key features of the pot grate include the avoidance of the need for operator intervention during the test, automatic system preheat, absence of dead time, heat recuperation system with an air/air heat exchanger, oxygen control in preheating and firing with zirconia oxygen analyzer, possibility to test deep beds up to 625 mm. A series of projects have been accomplished by AHMSA availing of the pot grate facility with the aim to enhance pellet plant productivity and to reduce operating costs. The results obtained by use of Danieli pot grate combined with the experience and skill of plant operators has shown significant technical and economical benefits thus fully justifying the initial investment made by AHMSA and confirming the importance of having an in-house testing facility in order to optimize industrial plant operations.

Aug 16, 2017

By Dagoberto Brandão Santos, Marcus Vinícius Pereira Arruda, Fernando de Souza Costa, Túlio Magno Fuzessy de Melo

The development of advanced high strength steels (AHSS) is motivated by the automotive industry demands for higher strength steels with better formability and stretch-flangeability to avoid fractures during parts forming. In response to this, the new steel grades must have special microstructures in terms of constitution, morphology, distribution and hardness, which are strongly dependent on the chemical composition of the steel sheet and its processing, especially in the continuous annealing stage, in the case of cold rolled sheets. In this study the influence of the annealing heating rate and intercritical temperature (IT) on the microstructural evolution and the final hole expansion ratio of a cold rolled 980 MPa AHSS grade was evaluated. The annealing process was simulated using a Dilatometer and a Gleeble machine, and the microstructures were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) and nanohardness measurements. The increase of heating rate resulted in an overlap between ferrite recrystallization and austenite formation, changing the austenite morphology from a random to a fibrous distribution, while a higher IT resulted in more homogeneous microstructures and higher hole expansion ratios. This microestructural homogeneity, confirmed by nanohardness measurements, suggested that the difference in hardness between ferrite and the second phase affects the micro-void formation and crack propagation during the hole expansion test.

Oct 1, 2019

By Hiroshi Ichikawa

In 2013, Nippon Steel & Sumikin Engineering Co., Ltd. (hereafter referred to as NSENGI), Tenova HYL and Danieli have entered into an agreement to combine ENERGION DR technology into blast furnace technology and/or with syngas technologies. This new alliance will allow the three companies to combine research and development activities with their respective expertise in ENERGIRON DR technology, Blast Furnace technology and Syngas (by-pro gas and coal gasification) technology, with the ultimate objective to develop breakthrough iron making technologies and create such EPC projects. This paper introduces the concepts and the features of our breakthrough technologies of combining of ENERGIRON DR technology, Blast Furnace technology and Syngas technology.

Aug 16, 2017

By Andrelio Marcos Ribeiro, Lucio Ribeiro Camisao, Antonio Carlos Ataíde, Alan de Sousa Pereira, Renato Siqueira Campos

The annealing and pickling line n. 1, responsible for the production of stainless steel 3xx, 4xx and 430a in thicknesses from 4 to 0.4 mm, has two vertical strip accumulators. These are intended not to let the material exceed the determined time in the furnace and in the pickling, and consequently do not cause defects like burning and excessive pickling. Strip accumulator n. 1 avoids the line from stopping during welding execution of the coils in the welding machine. In sequence, the strip accumulator n. 2 avoids the line from stopping at the end cutting of the tips, and in the coils removal from the pickling. The strip accumulators have a roller table that during the strip accumulation moves vertically downwards while its counterweight moves vertically upwards, and do the inverse movement when the material is released. On December 12th 2018, the failure occurred in the strip accumulator n. 1, where it was verified that the shaft of one of the pulleys had been fractured by high-cycle mechanical fatigue, which was characterized by alternating bending. With the fracture of the shaft, occurred the unevenness of the counterweight that damaged the guides. Failure analysis of this occurrence was based on the PDCA methodology, when was verified a weld between the shaft and the pulley. The analysis of the microstructure transformation in the molten zone, in the heat affected zone and in the base metal was carried out in an optical microscope, and no abnormality was observed. It was also carried out the end test by penetrating liquid, finding an inadequate weld in its geometry, as well as longitudinal trunks along the center of the weld bead. However, after a huge investigation of the causes, it was found that the failure was triggered by an inadequate design of the pulley shaft. It was also verified that the shaft had an open measure, inadequate for the operational context. After the analysis, action plans were drawn up based on the FMEA methodology to inhibit the failure recurrence.

Oct 7, 2019

By Maycon Athayde

Samarco produces high quality iron ore pellets processed in straight grate furnaces. This process is essential in order to obtain adequate mechanical strength to the pellet transportation and operation in the reduction reactors. All mechanical properties of the agglomerates are obtained during the stage of firing where the slag and sintering bond happens, thus it is a decisive step to improve the pellet quality. Therefore, the velocity distribution of gas flow within this zone must have homogeneous and even velocity distribution. Hence, it was developed a mathematical CFD model to characterize the gas flow in the burning zone, applying the equations of conservation of momentum, mass and energy and an uneven flow distribution was identified and the gas velocity analyzed and validated through experimental data. On the other hand, on the present paper, an improved firing zone burner were developed and industrially implemented in a way to mitigate the uneven flow pattern detected aided by CFD. Different burner designs, based on CFD analysis, were experimented in order to succeed on the aggressive condition. The combustion was investigated and burner efficiency evaluated and compared with the simulation purposed.

Aug 2, 2018

By Samuel F. Rodrigues, Clodualdo Aranas Jr., Fulvio Siciliano

The application of thermo-mechanical control processing (TMCP) in hot rolling of steels has become a common routine since the last 60 years. The understanding of the physical metallurgy behind TMCP played a major role in the early developments. Physical and numerical simulation works are performed firstly to derive the fundamental metallurgical knowledge and secondly to conceive existing TMCP practices. In this paper, a summary TMCP techniques is presented. The occurrence of dynamic transformation of ferrite in the austenite region is shown by means of synchrotron light diffraction methods. This phase transformation mechanism is taken into consideration and its effects on TMCP are proposed in an exploratory way.

Oct 1, 2019

By Jari Larkiola, Aarne Pohjonen, Juha Jokisaari, Oskari Seppälä, Joonas Ilmola

Finite element method (FEM) is widely used to model the hot strip rolling process. Flatness defects e.g. front-end bending in multipass hot strip rolling is studied by authors using a finite element (FE) model with interactively operating automated controlling logic (ACL) [1]. However, industrial corresponding grade of accuracy in strip thickness subsequent to the rolling pass is not easily accessible in FE-model without separate calculation of significant rolling parameters and integrated roll gap control. In order to study flatness defects and optimize pass schedules the controlling and physics of the FE-model must correspond to the industrial process. For this need the automated controlling logic is upgraded by setup calculations to predicting roll force and work roll flattening. These predictions are utilized in setup positioning of a work rolls. Reliable setup calculation enables smooth multi stand rolling process without significant additional adjustment of roll gap clearance. State of art rolling technology requires above-mentioned setup controlling for the FE simulations to simulate different pass schedules without time consuming preparations. Operational setup calculations together with automated controlling logic of hot strip rolling enable simulation of new pass schedules and efficient problem solving.

Oct 1, 2019

By Michel Rodrigo Luiz, Glaudistoni da Silva Félix, Osmar Duarte Junior

This article deals with a project to reduce the preparation time and threading the coils in the input section of a pickling line coupled to the cold strip mill (PLTCM) at ArcelorMittal Vega. The project developed serves for the detection and elimination of bottlenecks in the input section. The project was conceived by the philosophy of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) and Lean Six Sigma (6 sigma), here seen as sequencing serial / parallel in the preparation and threading the coils. In this context, a proposal to modify the automatic sequencing and reduction of interruptions due to failure of the automation / equipment confirmed its effectiveness reducing the total time preparation time and threading the coils in the entry section by 15%. This project was developed without investment costs, bringing gains on the order of US$613,769.00.

Oct 1, 2019

By Olivier Lacroix, Dubé Mathieu, Guylaine Laforest

The reduction behavior of iron ore pellets in gas-based DR shaft processes has been studied at COREM since the late 80s. At that time, a new DR characterization test called COREM R180 was developped in collaboration with ArcelorMittal Mines Canada (former Quebec Cartier Mining) and ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada (former ISPAT Sidbec Inc.). This paper describes COREM’s approach to improve its understanding of the relations between iron ore pellet microstructure and pellet quality. The differences between the DR90 and the R180 tests are discussed. The evolution of the microstructure during reduction of both tests is also described. The reduction steps during the two tests are put forward as an important factor impacting the microstructural changes as well as the test results.

Oct 1, 2019

By Diego Berti Salvaro

The morphology, dimensions and chemical composition of tribolayers strongly depend on the pressures and temperatures acting on the contact. They are formed by reactions between the surfaces in contact with each other as well as with the atmosphere, lubricants and possible contaminants. In this paper the influence of test time (180, 500, 1000 and 2500 h) into the formation and characteristics of tribolayers in pairs DLC-stainless steel tested under refrigerant gas R134a atmosphere without presence of lubricating oil was analyzed. The characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) (morphology and chemical composition) and white light interferometry (dimensions). The tribolayers thicknesses ranged from 100 to 500 nm and they were composed by elements originated from mutual transfers between the tribological pairs as well as oxides, being more pronounced on the stainless steel surface. The results show that the tribolayers are chemically stable (maintained the same composition over time) and the thickness remained stable after a thousand hours of testing.

Jul 31, 2018

By Leonardo Araújo Peruch, José Fagundes, Henrique Carneiro Pinto, Marco Túlio Costa, Nayara Coutinho, José Fabiano Martins Assunção

The objective of this project was to increase the hot charge by reducing reheating energy consumption and raising the productivity of ArceloMittal Tubarão's hot strip mill by changing the HSM’s schedule process with optimization of the relocation process of slabs after HSM’s chance with focus on slab temperature in reheating time. The project began with the revision of metallurgical rules for the relocation of materials, definition of criteria temperature setting (hot / cold), definition of restrictions of the process and review of modus operandi scheduling process. With the implementation of the process / system it is expected to achieve a 10% increase in the hot charge index in slabs reheating furnaces and increase productivity of the ArcelorMittal Tubarão hot strip mill

Oct 3, 2019

By Eric Yoshimitsu Sako

One of the main difficulties in the operation of trough and runners at Arcelor Mittal Tubarão (AMT) Blast-furnace no.02 is the reduced amount of time available for repair procedures. The consequence is that the castable installation must often be performed during hot conditions and the installed castable could easily detach from the base material during the early stage of operation, exposing the previously oxidized base material to molten iron and corrosive slag attack. When events like this happen, emergency repairs must be executed, resulting in increased refractory unit consumption and an unplanned shutdown of unit operation. Considering these targets, Nippon Crucible Co. and Saint-Gobain HPR Brazil have developed a high-performance Al2O3-SiC-C composition based on an entirely novel anti-oxidation technology. Oxidizing reactions could be attenuated by adding an oxidant inhibitor and a water reducing agent. As a result, the open porosity was significantly reduced, resulting in an improvement of campaign life in terms of pig iron throughput when compared with the regular castable. An analysis of this life improvement showed successful results for the material after 250 days of campaign. The main reason for such successful results was that the deterioration caused by the oxidation was significantly less and that this change made on the high cohesive structure of the base material was maintained for a long time. The attained results allowed Arcelor Mittal Tubarão to achieve longer trough campaigns, and avoid any unplanned stoppages with zero breakdown risks.

Oct 30, 2017

By Henara Lillian Costa

This paper aims to investigate the effects of a possible incorporation of ethanol to the lubricant during engine use on friction and lubricant film thickness, by adding small amounts of ethanol to Group I base (with and without an organic friction modifier) and to formulated oils. Film thickness was measured using ultrathin film interferometry. Friction tests were carried out using a mini-traction machine to obtain Stribeck curves. The film thickness measurements showed that in the region of low speeds, where the elastohydrodynamic film is very thin and therefore boundary lubrication may prevail, the addition of ethanol produced some boundary film, which was not present for the base oils. For the base oil with an organic friction modifier, the presence of ethanol increased the thickness of the low friction boundary film. For the formulated oil, the addition of ethanol reduced film thickness in all lubrication regimes. The friction tests showed some friction reduction due to addition of ethanol to the base oil, in particular at low speeds. For the formulated oil, the addition of ethanol reduced friction at high speeds, which was associated to a reduction in the viscosity of the lubricant, but at low speeds, the presence of ethanol reduced the formation of a boundary layer, increasing friction. For the base oil containing an organic friction modifier, the presence of ethanol increased the range of speeds for which low boundary friction occurred.

Jul 31, 2018