Vacuum Steel Plants

Vacuum Degassing (VD) technologies are the basis for maximum plant availability, short charge-cycle times, low consumption values, and top-quality treated steel. Vacuum Degassing can be used for nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen removal, desulfurization, and decarburization. If very low carbon values are required, an additional oxygen lance (VD-OB) can be used. For the production of high-quality stainless-steel grades, a vacuum oxygen degassing (VOD) plant is used. By treating the steel at VD /VD-OB, the carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and sulfur contents are reduced to meet tough requirements. VOD plants can be used to produce high-quality stainless steels. VLD plants for stainless steel and special steel grades are operational in micro mills, forging shops, and foundries worldwide.

VD/VD-OB Steel Plants for High-Quality Steel

Vacuum treatment in VD plants effectively reduces nitrogen, hydrogen, sulfur, carbon, and oxygen contents in steel through various process steps tailored to the melt composition. This capability makes VD plants ideal for producing high-quality steels. Compositional adjustments can be made using a vacuum alloy hopper. Ladles in VD plants require a freeboard of approximately 600-800 mm. For producing high-quality steels with very low carbon values, an additional oxygen lance (VD-OB) can be used for forced decarburization, necessitating an increased ladle freeboard of around 1200 mm.

VOD Steel Plants: Reducing Carbon and Nitrogen in Stainless Steel Production

For stainless steel production, VOD plants, similar to VD-OB, are equipped with an oxygen lance to reduce carbon and nitrogen levels in steel. The VOD process ensures high alloy yields. Ladles in a VOD plant require freeboards above 1200 mm, accommodating the process requirements for stainless steel production.

VLD Plants: The Clever Way to Economical Metallurgy

VLD (Vacuum Ladle Degassing) plants offer an ideal solution for secondary metallurgical operations, particularly for small heat sizes ranging from 5 to 20 tons. Developed through a joint research and development project between Primetals Technologies and Dörrenberg Edelstahl, VLD plants economically perform all process steps possible in VD and VOD plants, including the production of special and stainless steel grades. VLD plants are operational worldwide, especially in micro mills, forging shops, and foundries, providing a versatile and economical approach to metallurgy.

Discover unparalleled automation solutions from Primetals Technologies that enhance product quality, maximize productivity, and optimize costs in RH, VD/VOD, and LF/LTS plants. Advanced closed-loop process control and intelligent operator guidance from Primetals Technologies ensure stable and reproducible steel quality while reducing energy consumption and treatment times. Embrace digitalization with the Metals Intelligence platform, enabling data-driven decisions and operational excellence through integrated quality management and digital assistance. The modular software architecture allows for continuous system upgrades and customization, ensuring flexibility to meet specific needs. Additionally, intralogistics solutions, including ladle tracking and optimization, streamline operations for greater efficiency.

Benefits of Vacuum Degassing Plants

• Stable product quality: achieves consistent and reproducible steel quality
• Increased productivity: maximizes yield and throughput while optimizing resources
• Cost optimization: reduces production costs through holistic input material calculations and reduced energy consumption
• Advanced process control: benefits from closed-loop process control and dynamic process optimization
• Modular software flexibility: customizes and upgrades systems with a modular software architecture to meet specific operational needs
• Intelligent operator guidance: enhances operational efficiency with innovative sensor systems and expert systems
• Reduced consumption: lower sample, measurement device, and energy consumption
• Enhanced intralogistics: improves efficiency with ladle tracking, scheduling, and optimization