The upgrading project comprises a complete mechanical, electrical and automation solution from liquid steel quality improvement to finished coil, and includes the installation of a new vacuum degasser as well as the modernization of the existing slab caster, and the plate and Steckel mill. The upgrade will enable Evraz Regina to produce API steel grades X70 at 1” (25.4 millimeters) thick and X80 at ¾” (19.1 millimeters) thick for production of pipe for the expanding Canadian market. The new equipment is scheduled for installation by the fourth quarter of 2016.
Primetals Technologies will install a new 135-ton-twin-vacuum tank degasser, including the vessels, a dry vacuum pump, valve stands as well as cover, cover car, the suction line, filter and gas cooler. The slab caster´s mold will be upgraded with the DynaWidth hydraulic width adjustment. New Smart Segments will be installed at segment one and in the straightener and horizontal zone of the caster. In addition, the strand guide will be equipped with spray cooling for center and margin cooling of the vast slabs. These measures will increases slab thickness from 8” (203 millimeters) to 10” (254 millimeters).
Upgrades to the existing 2Hi roughing mill will include a new drive train to increase rolling force. Upgrades to the 4Hi Steckel mill will include positive roll bending, upgraded uncoiler and coilers together with a new drive train to increase rolling force. The existing laminar cooling system will be replaced with a new direct quench laminar cooling system. The existing upcoiler will be replaced with a new four wrapper roll downcoiler together with a new coil handling system including a sampling station, banding and marking equipment. The basic (level 1) and process (level 2) automation will also be adapted to accommodate the modifications.