INTRODUCTION OF THE OPTISHOT MONOLITHIC LINING SYSTEM AT THE IRON TRANSPORT LADLES AT HUTTENWERKE KRUPP MANNESMANN (HKM), GERMANY

摘要

Huttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann is one of the leading steel producers in Germany. Its present steel production of 5.4 million tons is to be increased in 2001 to 6 million tons. This increase in production is being made possible by changing over from 250 t to 275 t steel ladles and by increasing the output of slabs from the new continuous caster commissioned at the end of the year 2000. The change-vessel converter plant, comprising two blowing stations and three converters, has a capacity for up to 66 heats per day and thus ranks among the fastest operating steel plants. The hot metal is transported from two blast furnaces to the BOF shop in 100 t open-top hot-metal transfer ladles. Given the increase in demand for hot metal, HKM has looked for a possibility to optimise the capacity, availability and safety of the hot-metal transfer ladles. By introducing the OPTISHOT monolithic lining system and changing from andalusite I bauxite bricks to OPTISHOT products, the ladle life has been prolonged significantly. The high-speed OPTISHOT pump, used in combination with SEQUAD, a robotic application manipulator, allows fast and thick gunning, so that the total lining work takes only 3 hours This new lining method eliminates the need for moulds or formers, and different reinforced areas in the ladle are easily built up. The OPTISHOT working lining of the hot-metal transfer ladles is measured before installation and afterwards at regular intervals using the LaCam high-speed laser system. Only the areas requiring repair are relined so as to maintain the increased hot metal capacity, high availability and overall reduction of costs.