The original CSP^® plant, supplied by SMS group in 1996, has been modernized to meet the grown requirements of the market. The final strip width has been increased to 1,880 millimeters (formerly 1,680 millimeters).
At Nucor, SMS group for the first time implemented a new modernization concept designed to expand the product range and reduce energy consumption at the same time. The implemented measures comprised the revamp of one of the two CSP casters, the extension of the CSP rolling mill, renewal of the X-Pact^® electrical and automation systems and, as a premiere, the installation of an induction heating system from SMS Elotherm upstream of the CSP rolling mill.
By means of the induction heating units, it is now possible to increase as required the temperature of the thin slabs right before they run into the rolling mill. This enables Nucor Steel to achieve greater reductions per pass and expand its mix of products in the thin gage range.
An additional benefit of the inductive heating systems is the fact that the energy consumption of the CSP plant can be even further reduced. By flexibly adjusting the thin slab temperature prior to rolling, the furnace temperature can now be lowered to a level suitable for rolling the major part of the steel grades and strip gages without compromising process stability or the product quality. For all strips requiring a higher entry temperature, the inductive heating systems will be there to provide the extra heating.
_{(Source: SMS group)}