Charging of AOD converter at Acroni

Steelmaking

Stainless Steelmaking with the AOD Converter

Increased Efficiency with Solutions from the World Market Leader

Solutions

Steelmaking

Stainless Steel

Efficient Stainless Steel Production with AOD Converter

The AOD Converter represents a crucial advancement in stainless steelmaking, tackling fundamental challenges like rising demand, price pressure, and the necessity for process optimization. Primetals Technologies, recognized as the global leader in stainless steelmaking technology, delivers comprehensive solutions encompassing everything from scrap preparation to the finished product. With the annual growth in demand for stainless steel, plant operators are compelled to invest in process optimization and capacity expansion to maintain their competitiveness on the global stage. Primetals Technologies offers optimized solutions designed to enhance productivity, improve plant availability, and ensure full compliance with environmental regulations.

Stainless steels are engineered with high alloying elements, primarily chromium and nickel, to meet specific requirements such as high corrosion resistance, high temperature resistance, and unique surface characteristics. These steels are typically produced using stainless steel scrap, melted in an electric arc furnace (EAF), and processed in an argon oxygen decarburization (AOD) converter before final temperature and chemistry adjustments are made in a ladle furnace (LF) or vacuum oxygen decarburization station. In addition to scrap-based production, several plants worldwide successfully utilize hot metal and pig iron rich in nickel. Primetals Technologies excels in developing cost-effective process routes tailored to actual raw material bases.

The AOD converter is the central component for all production routes, efficiently removing silicon and carbon while minimizing chromium losses. Primetals Technologies has supplied a significant portion of the global AOD converter capacity, securing its market-leading position. This success is achieved through the integration of process, mechanical, and automation advancements. Notable innovations include the Vaicon Drive damper, which reduces vibrations during the blowing process, and single shroud control, which extends the lifespan of tuyeres. The Vaicon AutoFix vessel suspension system allows for rapid and automated vessel exchange. The company has also developed scrap charging machines and sublance technology for precise temperature measurement and sample taking.

Benefits of AOD Converters from Primetals Technologies

  • Enhanced removal efficiency of silicon and carbon with minimal chromium loss
  • Market-leading solutions with integrated process, mechanical, and automation advancements
  • Single shroud control extends the lifespan of tuyeres
  • Scrap charging machine and sublance improve temperature measurement and sample taking accuracy
  • Cost-optimal process routes for diverse raw material bases
AOD converter at Acroni

AOD converter at Acroni

Charging of an AOD converter

Charging of an AOD converter

AOD converter tapping

AOD converter tapping

AOD converter after tapping

AOD converter after tapping

Stainless Steelmaking

AOD converter at BGH Freital

A new AOD (Argon Oxygen Decarburization) converter of BGH Freital in Germany was integrated in the existing steel plant. This way, BGH Freital improved the energy and resources efficiency, secured a flexible production and increased their productivity and the quality of the product.

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Stainless Steelmaking

AOD converter at Acroni

A new AOD converter and a dedusting system from Primetals Technologies were brought into operation for SIJ Acroni. The AOD converter was installed in the existing steel plant at Jesenice, increases the production capacity and expands the product portfolio.

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Digitalization

Automation & Digital Solutions

Automation

AOD Optimizer

Optimize stainless steel production with the AOD Optimizer, featuring real-time control, cost reduction, and advanced metallurgical models for enhanced quality.

Steelmaking Process Assistant

Boost steelmaking efficiency with the digital Steelmaking Process Assistant. Reduce errors, standardize processes, and enhance product quality.

Monitor

Bag Break Monitor

Enhance plant efficiency with the Bag Break Monitor. Detect filter bag damage early, reduce emissions, and optimize maintenance processes for increased reliability and regulatory compliance.

Bag Cleaning Monitor

Enhance bag filter performance with 24/7 acoustic monitoring. Reduce downtime, save resources, and optimize maintenance in steel plants.

SlagMon: Optical Steel Slag detection system

Improve steel quality with SlagMon’s optical slag detection system. Achieve precise tapping, reduce slag transfer, and enhance operational efficiency.

Freeboard Monitor

Enhance steel pouring accuracy with the Freeboard Monitor. Prevent spillovers, improve safety, and optimize filling levels with real-time measurement and automation.

LOMAS: Gas Analyzing System

Achieve precise gas analysis in hot, dust-laden environments with LOMAS, offering enhanced process control, safety, and efficiency for steel production.

Ladle Position Monitor

Enhance steel production with automated ladle identification. Improve equipment utilization, reduce downtime, and ensure safety with advanced 3D and RFID technologies.

Robotics

LiquiRob: Advanced Robotic Solution

LiquiRob ensures operator safety and boosts steel production efficiency. Automate tasks like sampling, inspections, and measurements with precision.

Digitalization

Production Management Liquid & Solid

Optimize steel production with Production Management Liquid and Solid, offering cross-plant planning, quality control, and logistics integration for enhanced efficiency.

Online Heat Scheduler

Optimize meltshop operations with the Online Heat Scheduler, offering dynamic planning, reactive scheduling, and reduced energy consumption for steel production.

Central Operation Cockpit

Streamline steel plant operations with real-time monitoring, automated alerts, and advanced tools for safety, efficiency, and consistent quality.

ALEX: Asset Life Expert

Monitor condition, detect failures early, and optimize maintenance with Asset Life Expert (ALEX) for steel plants.

Through-Process Quality Control

Ensure top-quality steel production with TPQC. Leverage real-time data, predictive analytics, and defect prevention for enhanced efficiency and precision.

Energy Management System

The energy management system enhances operational efficiency through predictive algorithms to optimize energy use at ironmaking plants, steel plants and rolling mills.

The Virtual Plant

Train operators and test automation systems with a digital twin. Enhance skills, ensure system reliability, and enable fast start-ups in steel production.

MAT: Maintenance Asset Technology

Leverage advanced Maintenance Asset Technology (MAT) to optimize equipment performance, reduce downtime, and improve operational efficiency.

Metals Business Intelligence

Empower steel production with Metals Business Intelligence, offering data-driven insights, customizable dashboards, and streamlined decision-making tools.

Environmental Solutions

Envrionmental Solutions for AOD Converters

Secondary dedusting plant

Solutions

Off-Gas Cleaning

Secondary Dedusting

Ensure clean air and compliance with secondary dedusting systems for steelmaking. Capture emissions efficiently, enhance safety, and reduce energy costs across steel plants.

Pillow-shaped ferrous briquettes

Solutions

By-Product Recycling

Cold Briquetting of Ferrous By-Products

Turn steelmaking waste into value and recycle ironmaking and steelmaking by-products with cold briquetting. Reduce raw material costs, minimize waste, and enhance sustainability.

Sinter shaft cooler waste heat recovery

Solutions

Waste Heat Recovery

Waste Heat Recovery

Maximize energy recovery with WHR systems for steel plants. Reduce emissions, lower costs, and enhance efficiency with sustainable waste heat solutions.

Services

Explore Next Level Services. Now

Services

Consulting

Consulting Services

Consulting services support every stage of a plant's lifecycle, leveraging decades of expertise to benefit producers worldwide.

Advanced caster maintenance in Brazil, Volta Redonda workshop Siemens VAI group offline maintenance for the three slab casters of Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (CSN)

Services

Maintenance

Maintenance & Repairs

Premium equipment and exceptional technical solutions for customers worldwide.

Services

Spare Parts

Spare Parts & Products

Designed to extend the lifetime of steel plant equipment, ensuring timely delivery of the right components.

Steelmaking

Discover AOD Converters from Primetals Technologies

AOD converter for stainless steelmaking at Acroni

Enhancing Steel Production Efficiency and Environmental Standards

Acroni d.o.o., a prominent Slovenian steel producer and part of the Slovenian Steel Group (SIJ), has partnered with Primetals Technologies to revolutionize its steel production capabilities. Located in Jesenice, Slovenia, Acroni has installed a new Argon Oxygen Decarburization (AOD) converter to enhance its production capacity.

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AOD converter at BGH Freital

AOD Converter at BGH Freital

The German steel producer BGH Edelstahlwerke GmbH has granted Primetals Technologies with a contract for a new Argon Oxygen Decarburization (AOD) converter, expanding the company’s electric steel mill in Freital, Saxony at the beginning of 2019.

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AOD converter tapping at Outokumpu Alabama, USA

New Stainless Steel Meltshop for Outokumpu in Alabama, USA

In 2008, Primetals Technologies received an order to build a new stainless steel works with steelmaking and casting facilities in Calvert, Alabama.

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Four AOD Converters for TISCO and Shandong Xinhai Industry

New stainless steel plant from Primetals Technologies delivered to a joint venture of Chinese steel producers Taiyuan Iron and Steel Group Co. (TISCO) and Shandong Xinhai Industry.

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Solutions

Steelmaking

Stainless Steel

Improve product quality

Increase Productivity

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