The Unique Conversion Concept from Curved to Straight Mold-Successful Realization at Sollac and LTV

摘要

In 1997, VAI and Sollac developed a unique cost-effective solution to revamp the No. 2 twin-strand slab caster at Sollac Fos sur Mer from a curved mold to a vertical mold with bending with the shortest possible shutdown time and maximized utilization of existing equipment. Consequently, investment costs were kept 50 to 70 percent below those for conventional conversion solutions. Sollac now successfully produces more than two million tonnes per year on the modernized twin-strand slab caster since its start-up on Nov. 11, 1998. After only a nine-day shutdown, the caster was up to normal production within five days, and the quality results are excellent.The No. 2 single-strand slab caster at LTV Steel, Indiana Harbor Works was revamped from a curved to a straight mold in less than seven days and started up on April 30, 2000. His exceptionally short outage time could only have been achieved by applying the patented VAI/Sollac concept. Nominal production was reached three days after start-up.