This modernization project marks the first commercial implementation of Primetals Technologies´ Automated Tapping system in steelworks. The package will reduce tapping time and minimize slag carry-over, improving subsequent phosphorous refining. Automated tapping sequences will optimize tapping performance and make it independent from the operator’s experience. In addition, working safety will be largely improved. Start-up of the new Automated Tapping systems is expected for the third quarter of 2019.
Jiangsu Shagang is a private steel producer in China. Its annual production capacity is 31.9 million tons of iron, 39.2 million tons of steel and 37.2 million tons of rolled products. The range of products includes heavy plates, hot-rolled coils, steel wire, ribbed steel and special round steels. Steel is produced by means of BOF converters.
The upgrade of BOF operation by Primetals Technologies encompasses the hardware and sensor system for Automated Tapping, the safety system to prevent ladle overfilling, the implementation of Automated Tapping sequences, the installation of additional features for safety tapping as well as the integration of the existing slag stopper system.
The Automated Tapping system developed and installed by Primetals Technologies acts as a “Digital Assistant” and allows a safe and fully automatic converter tapping procedure, including the control of vessel position, ladle car movement during tapping, as well as the positioning of the chute for ladle alloying. In combination with an installed slag identification system, e.g. optical or magnetic slag detection and a slag stopper system, there is minimal carry-over of converter slag in the teeming ladle.
At the end of converter treatment, the operator initiates the Automated Tapping procedure by just pressing one button. The converter is automatically tilted to the initial tapping angle and a fully automatic tapping procedure is executed. During the tapping procedure, all of the equipment involved is coordinated simultaneously. The primary task of the operator is to monitor tapping progress. The position of the vessel and the ladle car, the ladle alloying system, the installations for slag detection and the slag stopper are controlled by the software module. Multiple safety functions such as maximum tilting speed, online weight monitoring, and ladle fill level detection are included with Automated Tapping. There is always the possibility for the operator to intervene at any time, either to meet special requirements resulting from exceptional tapping situations or to maintain operational safety. Automated Tapping is available for all converter types and for slag pouring at the end of the tapping procedure.
The understanding of a fully automated converter operation is to execute the entire sequence of all required process steps for converter steelmaking charging – blowing – tapping and alloying in an autonomous manner. Thus Automatic Tapping is one cornerstone in achieving a fully digital, i.e. smart steel plant.
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