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By Matteo Tomba

Today’s steel market is characterised by high competitiveness and tight profit margins; therefore, the operational costs of rolling mills must be as low as possible, while ensuring a final product of the highest quality standards. PERT SRL is an engineering company with a long-term experience in the international steel market, specialised in the design and supply of highly innovative and bespoke solutions for siderurgical and environmental plants. Because of its strong commitment to deliver excellent products and services, and its ability to innovate and adapt to the fastchanging market requirements, PERT has studied a new generation of BI-SUPPORT rolling stands, designed to be used in rolling mill plants for the production of rebars, rounds and sections in special quality bars (SBQ) steel grade, wire rod, light and medium section, suitable also for special steel plants. This paper will provide a deep insight into the key technical and economic features that have revolutionised the rolling technology for long products, such as the absence of spindles and piping on board, the considerably reduced number of spare parts required, a ring gap regulation system, and the compact dimensions, which lead to significant savings in investments and production costs; at the same time, the BI-SUPPORT stands guarantee excellent standards to the final product, an increase in plant productivity and a general improvement in the plant management.

Aug 16, 2017

By Cleber Caetano Thomazi

Rotary kilns are continuous process equipment used on calcining of nickel ore. The chemical and physical reactions are created by means of heat up the material to predetermined temperatures. Tertiary air fans are attached to the kiln shell to maintain oxidizing/reduction conditions. Special ducts orientate the air flow inside the kiln. In the present work, two types of failure on distinct tertiary ducts mounted on the same kiln are reported. Chemical analysis, hardness test, metallographic and fractographic examinations were carried out. Fabrication related problems and creep were identified as the root causes of damages.

Oct 30, 2017

By Stefan Thelen

In November 2013 Salzgitter restarted their tandem mill after two weeks of shutdown, during which the existing mill entry equipment has been removed and replaced by new entry area equipment including pay-off reels, welding machine and a vertical entry looper for continuous feeding of the 5-stand tandem mill. It turned out to be beneficial to both product quality and production capacity.

Aug 16, 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

By Manara Nogueira Quintino

No processo de produção de ferro e aço, uma grande quantidade de resíduos é gerada. Esses resíduos e coprodutos contêm consideráveis quantidades de ferro e carbono, que podem ser reaproveitados, ajudando a reduzir a poluição ambiental que pode surgir devido ao descarte inadequado. Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar o potencial energético contido em um resíduo siderúrgico, quando misturado à biomassa. Por meio de análise termogravimétrica e cinética (método Coats – Redfern) amostras com diferentes proporções de resíduo metalúrgico, biomassa de capim elefante e carvão vegetal foram estudadas. A amostra com menor tamanho de grão e maior quantidade de resíduo foi a que apresentou melhor perda de massa ao final do experimento, apesar de não ter apresentado o melhor resultado antes da faixa isotérmica do experimento. Contudo, a quantidade de capim elefante se mostrou relevante na performance da queima.

Oct 30, 2017

By Jean-Paul Simoes

The development of the blast furnace over the last years lead to a substantial increase in production capacity and productivity. This development triggered an evolution of the cooling systems in order to cope with the raising heat loads. The excellent protection of the shell by copper staves allowed blast furnace operators to achieve campaign lifetimes of more than 20 years. However in recent years some blast furnaces have experienced severe wear of the copper staves due to abrasion. The influences of the blast furnace design as well as of the operation conditions on this premature wear have been analysed and the mechanisms leading to the wear will be explained. New developments in the copper stave technology are part of the solution for avoiding premature wear during periods with less favourable conditions. The protection mechanisms made available by the new design extend the inherent protection mechanisms of copper staves to these periods. BFXpert® system is the ideal tool for the monitoring of the process data, the process models and the recommendations given by Sachem® support the operator in choosing efficient operation points. The charging with a Bell Less Top® (BLT) allows an accurate controlling of the blast furnace with regard to the optimization of the gas distribution. High performance operation together with long campaign lifetimes are thus made possible.

Aug 1, 2018

By Amanda de Angelis Vitoi

Neste trabalho foi estudado o efeito da adição de argônio à atmosfera de nitretação sob plasma sobre a resistência à corrosão do aço inoxidável austenítico AISI 316L. As nitretações foram realizadas em reator a plasma pulsado, a 420°C, por 6 h, adicionando-se 0%, 5% e 10% de argônio à mistura gasosa. Os resultados mostraram que a adição de 5% de argônio promove um aumento na espessura da camada de austenita expandida em relação ao material nitretado sem argônio. Com o aumento da concentração de argônio de 5 para 10%, no entanto, verificou-se a formação de camadas de austenita expandida mais finas e de baixa resistência à corrosão devido à presença de nitreto de cromo em sua estrutura.

Aug 8, 2018

By Belmira Benedita de Lima

Estudos no sistema Nb-B mostram a fase Nb5B6 com formação peritética a partir do líquido, porém sua estabilidade abaixo de 2.000°C não é comprovada experimentalmente. Há também dúvidas sobre a ocorrência da fase Nb2B3 neste binário. Este trabalho tem como objetivo o estudo da estabilidade das fases Nb5B6 e Nb2B3 nas temperaturas de 1.400°C e 1.800°C. Amostras com composições nas estequiometrias Nb5B6 e Nb2B3 foram produzidas através de fusão a arco assim como confeccionadas a partir de misturas de pós de B e NbB. Pastilhas com composição Nb5B6 foram produzidas com e sem adição de semente da fase Nb5B6. Os tratamentos térmicos em 1.400°C foram realizados por até 10h enquanto aqueles em 1800°C por até 1h, todos em atmosfera estática de argônio. As microestruturas das amostras, tanto no estado bruto de fusão como após tratamento térmico, foram caracterizadas por difração de raios X (XRD). Os resultados confirmam a formação fase Nb5B6 a partir do líquido e nas amostras produzidas via metalurgia do pó. A fase Nb2B3 não é observada nas amostras no estado bruto de fusão e nas amostras produzidas via metalurgia do pó tratadas termicamente a 1.800°C, porém, esta fase se estabiliza nas amostras produzidas via metalurgia do pó tratadas a 1.400°C, indicando sua estabilidade com formação peritetóide a partir das fases Nb3B4 e NbB2, abaixo de 1.800°C.

Aug 8, 2018

By Douglas Glenn Stalheim

Hot strip structural steel coil used in construction, engineering, transport, structural applications and other applications are widely used in yield strengths from 300 – 700 MPa. However, structural design engineers are now not only requiring various strength levels but also other mechanical properties, primarily good formability, toughness and weldability. To produce a balanced approach to a cost effective structural steel, hot strip coil requires an understanding of utilization of an optimized alloy composition designed for the layout/equipment capabilities of a given hot strip mill to produce the desired metallurgy for optimum mechanical property performance. The term “cost effective” does not just focus on alloy design, but also ease of overall processing from steelmaking, casting, rolling and cooling, stable mechanical properties with a statistically normal distribution, no downgrades/rejections and a product that the end user recognizes as being superior to others. The desired metallurgy is simply understanding what will be the optimum microstructure and cross sectional grain size/distribution needed to meet the mechanical property requirements. This paper is a follow up paper that previously described optimum base alloy designs along with steelmaking/casting processing considerations and will focus on proper reheating, rolling and cooling metallurgy/processing strategies to produce quality cost effective hot strip structural steel coil.

Aug 17, 2017

By Rodrigo Sanchotene Silva

Currently the industries of paint have directed their efforts on cleaner production of products that provide effective performance in corrosion protection of metallic materials. This work search introduce a new alternative of organic coating, without the presence of hazardous metals and replace equipments commercials used method of anodic protection for protection of oxidized metals. From this it, was produced Smart Paint (SP), consisting of Paint Acrylic Commercial (PAC) mixed the 1 % of binder, compound by the conducting polymer, Polyaniline Emeraldine Base (PAni EB) and plasticizer 4-chloro-3-methylphenol. The SP and PAC were applied to plates of carbon steel AISI 1010, with the aid of dip coat technique and then were subjected to drying for 48 h. The SP was characterized by thermals and physicochemical analyzes in order to verify possible changes in chemical properties of the ink produced, beyond perform electrochemical tests of Open Circuit Potential and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, employing equipment Potentiostat/Galvanostat Autolab PGSTAT302 Ecochemie, and aqueous 2 mol.L-1 of H2SO4. The results obtained allow us to state that the plasticizer does not alter the electrochemical properties of PAni and application of binder PAni EB to PAC does not alter the physicochemical properties of commercial coating. The binder PAni EB adds to PAC the capacity to induce the formation or maintenance of protective oxides in oxidizable metals submitted to harsh environments, method known as anodic corrosion protection.

Aug 8, 2018

By Maria Auxiliadora Mendes Aguiar

O sistema de flotação de minério de ferro consagrado no Brasil desde 1977 é a flotação catiônica reversa, na qual deprimem-se os minerais-minério de ferro e flota-se a ganga silicática. Em termos de reagentes, o amido é utilizado como depressor de minerais de ferro e a amina como coletor de quartzo e espumante. Teoricamente, espera-se que o aumento da dosagem de amina eleve a flotabilidade do quartzo. Entretanto, a realidade industrial tem mostrado um comportamento contrário. Este fato tem sido explicado pela formação de clatratos - termo utilizado para denominar o composto molecular formado pela adesão das moléculas de amina no interior das moléculas de amido, que resulta na depressão do quartzo. Em laboratório, a avaliação da flotabilidade de minerais puros pode ser feita através de ensaios de microflotação em tubo de Hallimond modificado. O objetivo do presente trabalho é verificar a flotabilidade do quartzo utilizando-se diferentes dosagens de amina e amido. Para isso, ensaios de microflotação em tubo de Hallimond modificado foram realizados em faixa de pH entre 6 e 12. Identificou-se a dosagem de reagentes que favoreceu a formação dos clatratos.

Aug 1, 2018

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 Jörg Busch

The essential pre-requisite for attaining the high quality of product required from high-speed continuous production processes is the use of new measurement and control technologies. High availability and reproducible measuring results ensure the high level of process stability necessary for full continuous operation. The requirements for the optimisation of quality across the complete production process and for quality analysis systems will be discussed. This report will present examples of basic and new measurement technologies in Cold Rolling Mills and Processing Lines. The following gauging systems will be discussed in detail: Strip tension meter, roll force measurements, weighing systems and shapemeter rolls. The measuring and control systems in this presentation must be seen as high-tech solutions in the field of processing technology. The measuring methods and technologies described are, together with optimised process models and precision control loops and actuators, the main pre-requisites for achieving the quality of product required from high-speed continuous production processes. Interconnected quality management systems enable optimisation across the complete production process.

Jul 30, 2018

By Mario González Ramírez

The safe transport of sour gas requires steels with enhanced hydrogen induced cracking (HIC) resistance. Centerline segregation bands of high hardness microconstituents and non-metallic inclusions are the heterogeneities usually linked to HIC failures in pipeline steels. Full-scale production heats of a new low Mn, Nb microalloyed steel were produced by different steel mills aiming at the application in sour gas environments. The new alloy design provides both effective strengthening and control of sulphide inclusions. Coil microstructure consisted of fine grained ferrite with a small volume fraction of uniformly dispersed eutectoid aggregates. Most importantly the microstructure was uniform in both the longitudinal and transverse directions and exhibited exceptional consistency. Samples from this steel were submitted to HIC testing according to NACE standards TM0284-2003 without any sign of cracking. The results, so far, confirm that this new alloy design provides the unique opportunity to economically produce a high strength pipe steel grade with improved sour service resistance for the linepipe industry.

Aug 8, 2018

By Karl Berger

The paper gives a comprehensive overview of the historical development of various metal rolling technologies and also describes the influence to industrial and socio-economic developments. The rolling of steel, in particular of rails, beams, rebar, strip and plate has enabled the large scale transport and travel, the building of bridges and buildings, the manufacturing of ships and cars. All this has changed the face of the world significantly. Further the paper approaches technological highlights in the design, manufacturing, drive and control of modern mills and the various types developed to create industrial economic units for the different markets and customers’ requirements. An outlook of future challenges is as well discussed in the paper. Various solution approaches for the rolling technologies, from continuous improvement of existing plants to more radical new concepts like endless rolling, near net-shape casting and rolling are approached. A positive conclusion is drawn that rolling technologies will remain a valuable area for engineers with scientific and economic challenges, but also a clear vision for positive contribution to further industrial and social development.

Jul 30, 2018

By Delio Amorim

Industry 4.0 concepts is the new biggest challenge on the industry nowadays and every company in every industry in every part of the globe is looking to implement this somehow on their factories and machines. To do that on the newest long rolling mills, that brings already onboard state-of-the-art technologies, is for sure a challenge of machinery builder industry, but how to become the long rolling mills built on 70’s, 80’s or 90’s part of this innovation process and connected to the new trends? This is the main mission here, to show some examples of applications that goes in this direction.

Oct 1, 2019

By José de Camargo

Em janeiro de 2016 a Russula foi contratada pela Dojran Steel (Sidenor) para a reformulação de sua planta de Nikolic / Macedônia. O fornecimento incluiu um novo laminador de barras e perfis com capacidade para atingir 350.000 toneladas por ano, composto de equipamento mecânico, sistema de automação, bem como todo o suporte técnico necessário para a Dojran Steel expandir sua antiga gama de produtos e melhorar sua qualidade de produto acabado. Ao final da reformulação, executada em várias fases, o novo laminador adquiriu capacidade para produzir toda gama de produtos desejada: - Redondos de 8 a 40 mm, - Barras chatas de 16 x 4 a 140 x 20mm, - Quadrados de 8 a 40 mm, - Cantoneiras de abas iguais de 20 x 20 x 2,5 a 120 x 120 x 12mm,- Cantoneiras de abas desiguais de 30 x 20 x 3 a 120 x 80 x 10,- Perfil U (UPN) com altura de 30 a 140 mm,- Perfil I (IPE) de 80 a 120 mm e - Perfil T de 20 a 50 mm.

Oct 30, 2017

By Steven G. Jansto

Nearly one third of the globally produced structural flat and long structural products are in the 0.11 to 0.16% carbon range. By definition, numerous steelmakers globally define this approximate carbon range as peritectic in their melting grade family within their organization. The metallurgical consequence is the result of numerous global structural specifications which allow carbon to wide carbon ranges resulting in quality issues. For example, such specifications as ASTM A588 set no minimum carbon and a 0.15 to 0.19%C maximum depending on the specific grade designated within the specification. This peritectic region is specifically challenging in production compared to less than 0.10%C because of solidification issues and a higher propensity for slab or billet cracking during continuous casting. During hot rolling, rejects and/or deviates are increased as well. The relative steelmaking operational cost of production is compared between peritectic and non-peritectic carbon compositions for a given specification.

Aug 17, 2017

By Haruki Inami, Takashi Ishida, Kazuhiro Ohara, Hiroyuki Imanari

The highly competitive business environment of the international metals industry is driving demand for more cost-effective operation of steel making facilities, rolling mills, and strip processing lines. Achieving stable operation is vital if the steel industry is to produce high-quality products constantly and productively. In recent years, advances in computer processing speeds, data acquisition rates, and data storage capacity have rapidly led to greater use of the new technologies of big data, analytics, the IoT, and AI by control system designers and process engineers, and the introduction of industrial applications. The “Smart Rolling Mill” solutions for hot strip mills have been developed by our group with the goal of achieving sophisticated, state of the art, and automated operation in steel rolling mills. The various solution engines improve process stability, increase the performance of mill equipment, and provide improved process control. These solution engines are based on extensive knowledge of the rolling process and the associated control systems. Two solution engines in particular are the diagnosis systems for rolling condition and for product quality that contribute to cost-effective operation and lower yield loss. This paper focuses on the diagnosis systems for rolling condition and for product quality in hot strip mills. Advanced information technologies using big data analytics and machine learning are applied to real-time data collected from the automation system that controls operation and the rolling process. We have developed diagnosis solutions for rolling condition and product quality utilizing predictive and clustering diagnosis. Predictive diagnosis prevents serious problems by detecting changes in the state of the plant or in the rolling condition. Clustering diagnosis classifies patterns of fluctuation in product quality trend charts, providing effective tuning guidance for improving product quality. This paper describes these applications with several examples.

Oct 1, 2019

By Valdicleide Silva Mello

Nowadays the biodiesel use is obligate in Brazil, in order to reduce the emissions of fuel burn. However, it is important to analyze which percentage of biodiesel is necessary to keep or improve the lubricant action of fuel for diesel engine, as well which kind of biodiesel give better performance. Therefore, this work aims to analyze the parameters that keep the lubricant action of biofuels, by using the Box-Behnken design type to optimize them. In this design was evaluated the input parameters: the type of the biodiesel (soybean, sunflower and palm), the concentration (5%, 20% and 100%) and the temperature of contact (25°C, 40°C and 60°C). The analyzed output parameters were the percentage of film formation, coefficient of friction, wear scar diameter (WSD) of ball, these output parameters were obtained by HFRR tribometer and they were analyzed applying response surface methodology. With this methodology was possible to determine the simultaneous influence and the interactions between two or more independent variables investigated. The response surfaces generated for the coefficients of friction, WSD, film formation showed a higher lubricant action for higher levels of concentration of biodiesel. An increase in lubricant action was found to high and intermediate temperature.

Jul 31, 2018