The RH process is a secondary metallurgical process in which liquid steel is decarburized and degassed in a vacuum vessel. The installation of these new RH units provides several key strategic and operational advantages for JSW Steel:
- Improved steel quality: The RH process enhances the quality of steel by reducing hydrogen, nitrogen and other impurities. This results in cleaner steel with better mechanical properties, allowing JSW Steel to meet the stringent quality standards of demanding industries like automotive and construction.
- Greater production flexibility: The RH units provide greater flexibility in producing a wide variety of steel grades, including high-strength and low-alloy steels. This capability enables JSW Steel to cater to diverse market needs and expand its product portfolio.
- Higher operational efficiency: SMS group’s sophisticated RH process technology streamlines the refining process at Dolvi Works, reducing treatment times and energy consumption. This not only improves overall efficiency but also leads to cost savings and increased throughput.
Special features for process optimization and reliable plant operation
JSW Steel’s RH plant is equipped with a multi-function TOP-Lance that enables the vessel to be preheated directly in the treatment station, increasing flexibility and reducing preparation time. During vacuum treatment, the lance can be used to heat the liquid steel. It is also used after treatment for skull burning, which minimizes maintenance and extends the vessel’s lifetime.
In addition, the RH plant at Dolvi steelworks is the first in India to feature a dedicated ferro-silicon (FeSi) bunker at the vacuum lock. This allows JSW Steel to produce non-oriented (NO) and grain-oriented (GO) electrical steel grades.
The ladle rocker design was revised to enhance functional safety and reduce maintenance. The unit can lift ladles containing up to 350 tons of liquid steel, with a total weight of over 500 tons. A counterweight fail-safe mechanism ensures functionality even during power failures or defects in the hydraulic system.
Subrata Dasgupta, Senior Vice President at JSW Steel, emphasized the strategic value of the RH plants: “The RH technology at Dolvi significantly enhances the steel plant’s capabilities and aligns perfectly with our goals to improve quality, maximize operational efficiency and expand market reach. SMS group’s RH technology is well thought-out with regard to process efficiency, and the RH degassing process is essential for enhancing the mechanical properties of our products. By producing higher quality steel, we can strengthen our competitive position in both domestic and international markets.”
Matthias Oesterwind, Senior Project Manager at SMS, commented: “This project marks another milestone in the longstanding and successful relationship between JSW Steel and SMS group, who are also working together on several other projects at Dolvi Works. We value JSW Steel’s trust in our technologies and the close cooperation between our teams. We are proud to have completed another secondary metallurgy project that delivers clear benefits to our customer.”
SMS and JSW Steel are collaborating on further groundbreaking projects at the Dolvi site, including a major expansion of the steelmaking facility with one of India’s largest basic oxygen furnace (BOF) converters, a twin ladle furnace and a primary gas cleaning plant. Additionally, SMS will supply a new state-of-the-art blast furnace as well as the revolutionary CSP® Nexus (Compact Strip Production) for thin slab casting and rolling. JSW’s CSP® Nexus is the third of its kind, and expected to be the most productive and powerful in the world. Commissioning is planned for 2026.
