A new stainless steel plant from Primetals Technologies has been delivered to a joint venture of Chinese steel producers Taiyuan Iron and Steel Group Co. (TISCO) and Shandong Xinhai Industry.
Challenge
A joint venture of Chinese steel producers Taiyuan Iron and Steel Group Co. (TISCO) and Shandong Xinhai Industry is equipped with two argon-oxygen decarburization (AOD) converters and two desiliconization (DeSi/AOD) converters at its stainless steel plant.
Solution
Primetals Technologies supplied four converters to the meltshop in Linyi, including two AOD converters and two DeSi/AOD converters. For this project, the meltshop was also equipped with the AOD Controller—process control system—and the AOD Optimizer—process optimization system. The two DeSi/AOD converters can be used for either process—the latter process is optional and desiliconizes the melt before it is sent to the AOD converters. The optional process enables a high level of flexibility in the meltshop, allowing the producer to leverage all converters to their advantage for a one-step or two-step process. The converters are also equipped with the Vaicon Quick vessel suspension system, ensuring fast vessel exchange.
AOD converter charging, TISCO
AOD converter alloy charging, TISCO
AOD converter tilting drive, TISCO
AOD converters in operation, TISCO
Benefits
- Stainless steel production based on liquid nickel hot metal from the rotary kiln-electric furnace (RKEF) process
- Utilization of low-cost input materials
- Possible high mass build-up in the AOD converter
- Plant availability was already above 99 percent during performance tests
Conclusion
- Both the two-step desiliconization–AOD process and the one-step AOD process are possible
- Charge-to-tap times of less than 89 minutes, including the intermediate deslagging process, are achieved consistently
