2012 Silver Reliability Achievement Award Winner: Reducing Descale Pressure and Flow Improves Reliability While Maintaining Descale Effectiveness

摘要

ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor East 80" Hot Strip Mill significantly reduced delay time, energy consumption, and maintenance costs by revamping the Pinch Roll Scale Breaker (PRSB) descale system at the entry to Finishing Stand 1. At a lime when many mills are attempting to improve descale performance by increasing system pressure, this project succeeded in improving performance and reducing operating and maintenance costs by reducing pressure and flow through careful selection and implementation of the latest descale nozzle technology. At the same time, lower pressure and flow lead to longer component life. Lower pressure and flow contribute to lower horsepower requirements and therefore lower energy consumption. Energy savings of roughly $500,000 per year have been realized. Pump life is expected to double due to lower horsepower and better control. Fatigue life of some susceptible piping components is expected to increase by 4 times due to the reduced pressure. Total annual savings attributed to this project are estimated at just over $1 million.