Role and effects of oxygen steelmaking -- Remarks on the occasion of the '4th European Oxygen Steelmaking Conference'

摘要

The start-up of the first LD steelmaking shop was in Linz in 1952. Until 1970 the worldwide share of steel produced by this process grew to 40 percent. Today oxygen steelmaking accounts for more than 60 percent of world steel output. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the LD process Graz, Austria, will host the "4th European Oxygen Steelmaking Conference" in May 2003. Here international steel experts will present and discuss the latest developments in oxygen steel-making. The following article outlines the historical milestones and the effects of the LD process on the German steel industry and the technological activities of the Steel Institute and points out the current environmental and energy-economic benefits of the process. The dedusting process, for example, became more economic than with previous processes. The collection of the converter gas and its use as a high thermal value fuel gas have enabled the exploitation of a large residual energy potential provided by the coke-metallurgical steelmaking route. Another factor promoting the rapid promulgation of the LD process was the possibility of influencing the steel properties. The development of new steel grade generations was only possible on the basis of the LD process in connection with adapted ladle metallurgy treatments.