COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course aims to develop analytical skills surrounding the vacuum process, which helps to predict the ideal time for introducing, optimizing, or verifying the metallurgical capabilities of a vacuum tank degasser and the recirculation degasser in a melt shop. Different steel grade routes will be analyzed, focusing on chemical analysis tracking, energy balance models, and optimum metallurgical performance.

Process trends using Gantt charts, metallurgical model evaluation in terms of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur removal will be analyzed.

Definition of the pre-conditions of the process and a link to the plant logistics conclude the study of the route definition of the process. Plant characteristic aspects will be analyzed, aiming to verify the influence of factors on the metallurgical performance.

The course also addresses global market trends, different metallurgical achievements, and best-practice examples, as well as various ways of producing a wide variety of steel grades.

TARGET GROUP

Process engineers, metallurgists, process operators, maintenance teams

COURSE OUTLINE

• Why do you need a vacuum plant
• Introduction to vacuum technology
• Melt shop product mix definition
• Process route definition
• Vacuum process definition: model application
• Metallurgical models
• Energy balance
• Process diagrams for different steel grades
• Field experience: introduction of new process route
• Physiological vs. technical solution: lessons from the practice