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By Larissa Agrizzi Ronqueti

The effect of coiling temperature on selective oxidation behaviour of binary and ternary iron-based model alloys containing different contents of Si or Mn were investigated by SEM and SIMS. The experiments were carried out with a temperature ranging from 450 °C to 700 °C, under N2-5%H2 gas flow with a Dew Point of -3.3°C, for different durations. SEM images of binary iron-based model alloys revealed a decrease of grain boundary oxidation depth with increasing Silicon or Manganese content. At 530°C and 600°C SIMS results showed no Silicon diffusion toward surface, contrary to the results analyzed for Fe-x%Mn. Tests results and Wagner’s theory application (specific cases Fe-0.2%Si and Fe-0.5%Si) showed that grain boundary oxygen diffusion coefficient “DoGB” is almost 60 to 70 times faster than oxygen bulk diffusion coefficient. These results helped to broaden knowledge of single-element effects on grain boundary oxidation, in addition, will contribute of the future works in new steels with complex alloy compositions.

Aug 17, 2017

By Alberto Pesamosca

The present work analyzes the latest results achieved in scrap based EAFs in terms of application of chemical energy, starting from the observation that the general trend is a reduction of oxygen utilization. Consequently a review is needed about criteria for evaluation of melting process efficiency and equipment design. If from one side the maximization of productivity remains one of the major goals, from the other side some aspects of present market situation, included price of raw materials, are requiring the maximization of process yield. Based on achieved performance figures of selected plants and theoretical considerations, the effect of chemical energy input intensity is analyzed focusing on transformation cost, productivity and total energy input. The effect of present practices with lower oxygen utilization is considered also in terms of global CO2 emissions. Finally, the latest Danieli concepts and technological tools for optimization of chemical input are presented.

Aug 17, 2017

By Luciana Lezira Pereira de Almeida

With the increasing use of ornamental rocks, mainly in civil construction, sundry problems were identified in relation to rocks cutting, such as efficiency in the cutting process and rock quality lumber. In recent years several composites have been developed to solve these problems. In this context, the study of the binomial matrix metal-diamond interaction is of paramount importance for the development of new composite materials to improve the efficiency of the cutting tool. The diamond impregnated matrix metal often reveals a reaction between the diamond surface and the matrix. Besides the mechanical connection, chemical reactions can sometimes occur. Therefore, this study aims to assess the achievement of diamond composites in the system Fe / Cu / Ni / Sn via powder metallurgy, with added CRB2. Analyzes have been performed to characterize chemical / physical and mechanical. The results have showed that addition of CRB2 promote significant changes in the properties of composites, especially in wear resistance and fracture toughness. Furthermore, the presence of the composite CRB2 causes a significant improvement in thermal stability.

Aug 16, 2017

By Mariana Carla Mendes Rodrigues

The present study deals with the effects of strain rate on the functional behavior of NiTi thin wires. The samples, in the austenitic condition at room temperature, were mechanically cycled 20 times by loading up to 6% strain followed by complete unloading, at 25°C. Four different quasi-static strain rates were assessed: 1x10-4, 1x10-3, 1x10-2 and 5x10-2s-1. The functional properties are described by means of critical stress to induce martensite, stress at maximum strain, energy dissipated per cycle and residual strain. The sensitivity of repeated cyclic deformation to strain rate is also analyzed in terms of phase stability. The results show that the fluctuation in the loading plateau, due to non-homogeneous transformation, increases with increasing strain rate. During cycling, it is observed that higher strain rates result in lower critical stress to induce martensite after the 5th cycle. However, the stress at maximum strain is higher at high strain rates, regardless the number of cycles. The accumulation of residual strain also increases with the strain rate due to the higher applied stress. During unloading, both the elastic deformation of stress-induced martensite and the reverse transformation seem to overlap at high strain rates. The dissipated energy behavior changes between the 1st and 20th cycle. No martensite is stabilized after training, but the intensity of the X-ray diffraction peaks of austenite increases with strain rate, as a result of stress relaxation.

Aug 17, 2017

By Franco Gandin

With increasing demands for highly performing and at the same time efficient and running-costs saving vacuum-degassing equipment, dry mechanical pumps have been confirmed a proper choice to completely fulfill the expectations of steel-making companies worldwide. Regarding the production of both special carbon steel and stainless steel grades, the usage of mentioned pumps allowed reaching simultaneous remarkable results from different viewpoints in various Danieli worldwide installations (treating up to 200 t of liquid steel). As a matter of fact, in front of the replacement of a widely spread and renowned technology such as steamejector pumps with the recently developed technology embodied by the dry mechanical pumps, well-established metallurgical performances in terms of carbonhydrogen- nitrogen-sulphur removal have been repeatedly attained while meeting at the same time the client’s expectations concerning, for example, running-costs and push-button availability. Additionally, thanks to the very flexible, modular, redundant and maintenance-friendly equipment design, random problems occurring to the singular mechanical pumps can be easily solved without affecting the VD-VOD plant availability and metallurgical performance. With a particular regard to the VOD process, a very short overall process-time has been repeatedly performed (averagely less than 58min under-vacuum time at ChMP1) while guaranteeing the expected required quality of the final refined stainless steel. Moreover, in several VOD installations (ranging from 6 t up to 110 t of liquid steel) an efficient automatic process control such as dynamic pressure-regulation during oxygen-blowing has been attained thanks to the controllable variable-speed drives with which each mechanical pump is provided.

Aug 17, 2017

By Klaus Pronold

Once installed rolling mills can look forward to a long life. Around 40% of the 140 conventional hot strip mills presently in operation were built between 1960 and 1970. 17 of the 29 CSP®-plants were commissioned before the year 2000 and have automation platforms that are obsolete and/or have outdated rolling technology. Keeping pace with the market requirements is an ongoing challenge for producers of flat steel. It is a real balancing act keeping production facilities performing at necessary levels, safeguarding the investment and keeping outage periods to a minimum. To overcome these demanding factors and strike the right balance allowing for the production of higher grade steel that meets the current market price the installation of mechanical equipment as well as automation platforms and process technology must meet the latest technology standards. Being discussed in this paper are the different motives for modernizations along with their impact on project handling and commissioning philosophies. Experience gained during recent modernization projects in the field of flat steel rolling relating to Steckel / plate mills or current CSP® modernizations will be shared and demonstrate that each modernization has its own individual solution. Specific strategies are explained to help optimize production, increase plant agility and maximize the return on investment.

Aug 17, 2017

By Débora Cardoso de Oliveira Silveira, Jean-Christophe Huber, Hamzeh Hamadeh, Kateryna Pastel, Guillaume Brosse

The dynamic behavior of oxygen gas flow, determined by the lance nozzle and blow pattern, is a key factor for determining jet efficiency in BOF Steelmaking. The present work compares the performances of Laval and parabolic nozzles with the aid of the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The Method of Characteristics (MOC) was applied to design a minimum length parabolic nozzle. The results show that the parabolic nozzle generates more uniform and stable jet, with 2% longer potential core and supersonic length and less shock waves. For the parabolic nozzle, the pressure nearby the nozzle wall is higher, which can protect this region from reverse flow of converter gases and offer longer life for the lance tip. Likewise, the flow rate variations would affect less this nozzle. In addition, the nozzle wear was investigated, and the parabolic nozzle has proven relatively less sensitivity to the presence of this deformity.

Oct 1, 2019

By Glaydson Simões dos Reisr

Micropore organosilicas (MOs) were synthesized using methyl-phenyl-polysiloxane as precursor. The MOs were characterized using several analytical and functional techniques. The materials were assigned as micropores materials, with specific surface area up to 642 m2 g-1 and yield up to 72.55%. The adsorbents have hydrophobic surfaces and were used for removal of diclofenac from aqueous solutions. The adsorption kinetic and isothermal data were well described by the general order and Sips models, respectively. Diclofenac exhibited a better affinity than NM and the mechanism of adsorption suggested that hydrophobic groups play a key role in the adsorption process.

Aug 17, 2017

By Steven G. Jansto

Nearly one third of the globally produced structural flat and long structural products are in the 0.11 to 0.16% carbon range. By definition, numerous steelmakers globally define this approximate carbon range as peritectic in their melting grade family within their organization. The metallurgical consequence is the result of numerous global structural specifications which allow carbon to wide carbon ranges resulting in quality issues. For example, such specifications as ASTM A588 set no minimum carbon and a 0.15 to 0.19%C maximum depending on the specific grade designated within the specification. This peritectic region is specifically challenging in production compared to less than 0.10%C because of solidification issues and a higher propensity for slab or billet cracking during continuous casting. During hot rolling, rejects and/or deviates are increased as well. The relative steelmaking operational cost of production is compared between peritectic and non-peritectic carbon compositions for a given specification.

Aug 17, 2017

By Guilherme Corrêa Soares

The effects of temperature and strain rate on the mechanical behavior of a superelastic NiTi wire were investigated by uniaxial tensile testing. A universal testing machine with an attached heating chamber was used for the tensile tests. Temperature influence was studied through straining of samples until rupture at a fixed strain rate and temperatures of 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175 and 200 °C. Strain rate effects were investigated by straining samples until rupture at room temperature and strain rates of 10-2, 5 x10-3 , 10-3, 5 x 10-4 and 10-4 s-1. The effects of temperature and strain rate on NiTi mechanical behavior were discussed in terms of critical stress to induce martensite and austenite yield strength, when applicable; upper plateau stress, transformation plateau length and ultimate plateau stress. It was found that increasing test temperature and strain rate shifted the stress-strain curve upwards, albeit temperature displayed a greater influence. Plateau length increased with temperature, but no significant changes were detected as a result of different strain rates.

Aug 17, 2017

By Rafael Abreu Fraga, Carlos Noberto Paula da Silva, Emanuelle Garcia Reis, Daniel Bojikian Matsubara

Since 2016 Gerdau Ouro Branco has been producing steel plates of various qualities and grades. However, it was not until 2018 that the first plates produced by accelerated cooling process were made available for external testing, in this case for large diameter UOE pipes manufacturing. Recent line pipe and OCTG specifications are showing that the oil and gas market still consumes regular API grades, such as X60, X65 and X70, however with increasing wall thicknesses, reaching values up to 1.5 inches. These specifications also demand longitudinal and transverse tensile guarantees and drop weight tear tests in temperatures as low as -40°C. Projects with these types of mechanical properties present process requirements as challenging as those necessary for higher API grades in lower thicknesses. This paper shows the steel design concepts and rolling routes for achieving the necessary properties for X70 steel plates in 28.15 mm. The microstructural features were also investigated and associated with the production process and the tensile and toughness results. Finally, challenges such as tensile anisotropy and DWTT abnormal fracture are presented.

Oct 1, 2019

By Kermit Reins

The most recent modernization phase of the wire rod mill at Sterling Steel involved installation of a pre-finishing mill, using a Morgan Vee Mini-Block, a new water box and shear with utility systems and automation. The new mill configuration adds more stands to the mill for better drafting and is designed to improve finished product quality by providing a more uniform entry temperature, better control of the feed section into the No-Twist® mill as well as enhanced surface quality. The new shear improves cut length accuracy as well as decreases the amount of trimming to reduce yield loss. This paper explains the changes made in the mill and the features of the new equipment and automation.

Aug 17, 2017

By Christiano Gianesi Bastos Andrade

Clays with high content of smectite are denominated bentonites, and are widely used in industry as, for example, agents for bleaching of vegetable oils, animals and minerals. For this use, the smectite clays are treated with inorganic acid of high concentration at temperatures under boiling point, which provide the bentonite´s bleaching power. In the present study, a sample of smectite from Cubati, Paraiba, Brazil, was submitted to treatment under moderate conditions (90°C, reaction times of 1, 6, 12, 18 and 24hours in close reactor, concentration of the aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid 1.5 M, acid solution/clay ratio of 1g/10mL), aiming to reduce impurities, responsible for the color of the clay, without causing significant changes in their structure. Thus, clay can be used in the cosmetics industry and other products with high added value. The treated clay was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), stereomicroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray detector (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was observed a bleaching in samples with time of 12h to 18h. With the DRX was possible to monitor the peak intensity of the clay structure and the sample with 12 hours of treatment was not significantly altered its crystalline structure, maintaining the peak clay at d001. The most pronounced changes in the bleaching occurred within the first 12 hours of acid treatment.

Aug 8, 2018

By Sunil Katharia

In February 2016, the upgraded Blast Furnace 1 of JSW Steel Limited (JSW) at its Vijayanagar Steel Plant was blown in after a 6 months shutdown in which the whole furnace was rebuilt on the existing foundation and within the existing tower structure. Despite several plant constraints it was possible to increase the furnace inner volume by 85% - reaching 2307 m3 from existing 1250m3. The upgradation project covered the stockhouse and its dedusting system, top charging system, furnace profile, furnace cooling system, casthouse and its dedusting system, slag granulation plant, pulverized coal injection plant, hot blast system and gas cleaning plant – with major interventions in order to cope up with the changed operating conditions. The total scope of the project was split by JSW into several packages, all based on design data provided by Paul Wurth. JSW was responsible for coordinating the local subcontractors along with Paul Wurth which has been appointed as main technology supplier in charge of complete basic and selected detail engineering in the key areas and of the supply of core equipment such as the Bell-less Top®, copper staves, GCP key items and TMT casthouse machines. The main design concept and the key points of the project such as optimization of project ROI, advanced erection concepts as well as a summary of the operating results are presented confirming JSW “BF1” upgradation as one latest examples of the current state of the art in the revamping projects.

Aug 17, 2017

By Cleber Caetano Thomazi

Rotary kilns are continuous process equipment used on calcining of nickel ore. The chemical and physical reactions are created by means of heat up the material to predetermined temperatures. Tertiary air fans are attached to the kiln shell to maintain oxidizing/reduction conditions. Special ducts orientate the air flow inside the kiln. In the present work, two types of failure on distinct tertiary ducts mounted on the same kiln are reported. Chemical analysis, hardness test, metallographic and fractographic examinations were carried out. Fabrication related problems and creep were identified as the root causes of damages.

Oct 30, 2017

By Gajraj Rathore

With the advent of modern HRM ( Hot rolling mills) with capacities beyond 5 Million tons with corresponding enriched CRM (Cold Rolling Mill) capacities, the throughput per hour exceeds invariably beyond 50 coils per hour making it possible to manage, track, handle, transport, store and dispatch inevitably with an automation system supplemented by corresponding software and hardware. This is true with respect to the production of Cold rolled Annealed, Galvanized, Continuously Annealed, Galvalume, CRGO, CRNGO and Colour coated coils which need total care in handling, tracking and dispatch. Understanding the above needs precisely JSW, Vijayanagar, India, has rightly gone in for a total automatic Yard management system and ASRS wherein the coils are handled as much as possible automatically in cradles without any damage insuring the receipt of coils to the customer as was produced. This CRM 2 has been commissioned and is operating with maximum automation with least manpower and max productivity with assured quality and safety. Pesmel OY Finland had the opportunity to Design, Supply and Commission this system which is first in the country and this technical paper analyses the above project as a case study enlisting the sound technical aspects as well as emphasis on the techno economics with assured ROI (Return on investment) and enhanced efficiency.

Aug 16, 2017

By Michel Fillon

Hydrostatic assistance is a commonly used method to improve limited load carrying ability of tilting-pad thrust bearings during transient states of operation of the vertical shaft hydro-generators. Despite of special hydraulic equipment (as pumps, valves etc.), it also requires manufacturing of special recesses/pockets at the pad sliding surfaces, into which oil is injected under high pressure. It allows to lift the rotor before start-up of the machine and form a hydrostatic film between the pads and the collar. There is a quite wide variety of geometry of recesses (shape, depth, size) met in practical large bearing applications. The presence of a hydrostatic pocket (usually located in the sliding surface above the pivot area, where thin film, high oil pressure and temperature are observed) affects bearing performance under hydrodynamic operation. In theoretical researches, there is an almost common practice not to include hydrostatic recess in THD or TEHD analysis. This is probably due to the problems with obtaining solution for oil film geometry with pocket, with pocket depths order of magnitude larger than gap thickness. In this paper, an attempt was taken to study the effect of the lifting pocket on THD performance of a large tilting-pad thrust bearing of ltaipu power plant. Bearing performance was evaluated including recess shape for several cases of its depth. The results show, that hydrostatic recess changes calculated bearing properties quite significantly, especially in the vicinity of the pocket.

Jul 31, 2018

By Lukas Pichler

The market trend of advanced high strength steel (AHSS) with demand for higher strength products is increasing continuously. The inline cooling technologies have established as the most powerful metallurgical tool to achieve these demands. However, the cooling capabilities of existing hot strip mills, plate and Steckel mills are often not adequate to generate high cooling rates and the cooling accuracy required for the production of AHSS. Hence there have been many developments for an intensive, highly flexible accurate homogeneous cooling technology. Considering the wide variety of strip and plate geometry, Primetals Technologies have developed Power Cooling Technology for strip and introduced MULPIC®4 Technology for the plate production. In this paper we shall discuss these enhanced technologies that provide the inline cooling requirement with examples from the recently commissioned machines.

Aug 17, 2017

By Shibu John

Rising energy demand and steadily decreasing quality of raw materials due to the global resource depletion are great challenges to the steel production today. The FINEX® Process has been developed jointly by POSCO, Korea and PRIMETALS Technologies Austria, to provide the iron making sector with the capability to lower hot metal production costs, environmental pollutions and to increase the flexibility in terms of operation and the choice of raw materials. FINEX® is a new technology combining a gas-based reduction in a series of fluidized bed reactors and a reduction smelting in a melter gasifier. Commenced in April 2007, the first 1.5Mtpa commercial plant has demonstrated the competiveness as an alternative iron making route. Another 2.0 Mtpa, third generation FINEX® (3G) plant was recently installed at POSCO, Pohang Works and has been operating satisfactorily since its blow-in in January 2014. Based on the well-proven plant concept, new process features, the highly competitive production costs and environmental advantages, the FINEX® Process can be considered as a competitive alternative to the conventional blast furnace iron making route.

Aug 17, 2017

By Helênio Resende Silva Júnior

PT. Krakatau-POSCO coke making plant, located in Cilegon, Indonesia, is the results of the know-how and experience of Paul Wurth (PW) in coke making field. The plant has a capacity of 1,321,000 t/y of gross coke achieved by two coke oven batteries with 42 top charging Paul Wurth “Jumbo” ovens each. PW “Jumbo” oven with a useful volume of 78,92 m3 allows decreasing drastically the number of pushing/charging operation per day with a consequent reduction of the diffuse emissions. Gas treatment plant with a capacity of 88000 Nm3/h has been designed in collaboration with DMT GmbH & Co. KG, adopting the latest technologies with specific design know-how. PT. POSCO-Krakatau plant has been successfully commissioned and started-up in October 2013. The present paper will highlight the main technology features applied in PT. Krakatau-POSCO project for both coke oven and gas treatment plants.

Aug 17, 2017