6-Strand Bloom Caster with VAI DynaGap Soft Reduction Technology

摘要

In September 2001 VAI received a contract for the delivery of a 6 - strand bloom caster for Panzhihua Iron & Steel Co. (Pangang) in P.R. China. The caster is designed for an annual capacity of 1.2 million tons of blooms to feed the existing rolling mill. The two bloom formats are 280 x 325 and 280 x 380mm, as shown in Figure 1. Unique is that this plant is equipped with a DynaGap soft reduction package. To successfully handle the operation of the DynaGap soft reduction process a 3D-thermal model was developed by VAI, which calculates the solid fraction profile on-line and allows efficient dynamic soft reduction also during unstable casting conditions. VAI was chosen for its well-known and highly reliable casting technology and as a supplier with the know-how of operating a CC machine on a very high productivity and quality level. The high performance bloom caster completely replaces the existing ingot casting route for rail, welding wire, cord, reinforced bar and low/medium alloyed carbon steel grades. According to Pangang management the rail production will be the heart of the existing steel making route. The ingot casting facility was closed and completely dismantled in the middle of November 2003. The following benefits are received from the new continuous casting (CC) line: 1. Increased productivity with high yield 2. Best quality of the end product 3. High flexibility and minimum turnaround time in 4. the case of section and steel grade changes 5. Better just-in-time production, 6. low inventary costs 7. Flexible production handling and low 8. maintenance costs.