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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 Amilton Ferreira de Oliveira

Este trabalho se propõe a mostrar os resultados obtidos pela SunCoke Energy Brasil após as mudanças do perfil da mistura de carvões, na qual foram acrescidas criteriosamente as participações dos carvões denominados “soft” e carvões “steam coal”, seguido da redução também criteriosa dos carvões médio voláteis. A consolidação dos dados de qualidade do coque e do custo das misturas comprova que as modificações no perfil das misturas foram bem sucedidas, pois a qualidade do coque se manteve conforme a expectativa dos clientes (Altos-Fornos) e o custo das misturas apresentou uma significativa redução. Todos os testes e experimentos adotados foram embasados na utilização na metodologia denominada “Método e aparelho para avaliar as propriedades de coqueificação do carvão”, também conhecida como Box Test, e ainda no profundo estudo das características dos carvões utilizados e os impactos destes na qualidade do coque.

Aug 16, 2017

By Gilberto Álvares da Silva

New elements have been inserted in NiTi lately, resulting in ternary alloys with specific characteristics beyond Shape Memory Effect and Superelasticity. Among all others alloying elements, the Ag additions itself gives potential antibacterial activity to that smart material. So on, the elaboration procedures of ternary NiTiAg alloys was studied in order to obtain a melting procedure to ensure further studies on this alloy. Microstructural and thermal analyses were used to evaluate the VAR-remelting production of NiTiAg with 4.0% wt silver content. The microstructure is composed by a NiTi matrix, pure Ag precipitates, and, scarcely, TiC inclusions. Heat treatments at high temperature could not dilute those Ag particles, but could lead to the precipitation of new ones. The silver element reduces the temperature of the martensitic transformation, yielding a material with superelastic behavior, beyond induces the R-phase on cooling stage of this alloy.

Aug 8, 2018

By Johan Richaud

Achieving high surface quality steel in the continuous casting process requires optimal mould level control. The design of the casting channel from the tundish to the mould is crucial to prevent formation of undesired instabilities or biased flows that can cause level fluctuation. With the aid of CFD and with physical water models, the geometry of the stopper nose and the nozzle seat have been studied and optimized to improve the overall mould flow stability. A special stopper nose; Ripple Stopper (RST), has been developed that reduces the formation of large and unwanted eddies in the liquid steel that destabilize the port exiting jets. Instead, the RST produces a fast release of turbulence in the form of a large number of small eddies. The large sudden fluctuations in the mould level are reduced, which in turn reduces the occurrence of surface defects. An additional benefit is derived from the local pressure around the stopper nose region being greater which reduces the refractory erosion. For a tundish gate type flow regulation, a new design encompasses an offset in the Tundish Well Nozzle (TWN) that realigns the flow and reduces the bias flow that is common to tundish gate regulation. The steel recirculation regions below the throttling gate are decreased reducing the risk of oxide depositions. The RST and the Offset bore casting channel have been applied successfully leading to a superior flow control performance between the tundish and the mould.

Jul 30, 2018

By Mingyu Ma, Lingling Liu, Liqing Chen, Houlong Liu

In this article, a 444-type heat-resistant ferritic stainless steel containing 0.05wt% Ce and 2wt% (Mo+W) was used as an experimental material and a study was carried out on the effect of rolling processes on the microstructures and texture evolution as well as on the mechanical properties and formability. The rolling processes contain hot rolling at different hot rolling finish temperatures, annealing after hot rolling, cold rolling and subsequent annealing. As for the hot rolling process, two hot rolling finish temperatures, 860 C and 770 C, were adopted, and their influence on the microstructures and mechanical properties was comparatively studied. The results showed that the microstructures after hot rolling and subsequent annealing could be refined by lowering the hot rolling finish temperature. The resultant microstructures after cold rolling and annealing were hereditarily refined. Lowering the hot rolling finish temperature can weaken the -fiber texture in hot rolled or cold rolled ferritic stainless steel strip. However, the -fiber texture was homogeneously strengthened by annealing the cold rolled ferritic stainless steel strip. Enhanced mechanical property and formability in terms of strength and average plastic strain ratio could be obtained by lowering the hot rolling finish temperature of ferritic stainless steel.

Oct 1, 2019

By F. D. Rodriguez, J. Ramirez Cuellar, J. Salinas Reyes, C. Gómez-de-la Garza

The Pickling Line and Tandem Continuous Mill (PLTCM) at Ternium Pesquería Facility with a Five Stands, Six High configuration started in 2013. Manufactured by PRIMETALS, to produce steel to exposed automotive market, Turnkey project, with supervision of best practices from Nippon Steel. The main equipment that the process has are; Laser welding machine, 3 loopers, Scale Breaker, jet Pickling tanks, Inspection Station and COGNEX System Side Trimmer (flying width change), Type of Mill: UCMW(S) Carrousel, 2 Tension Reels. The principals goals are, Simulate production programs, validate materials for thin thicknesses before processing, low Re-welds, optimization use Cognex, good performance in Thickness, flatness and productivity.

Oct 1, 2019

By Eduardo Piassi Nicoli

Este trabalho tem a finalidade de apresentar projeto para melhoria de qualidade e redução do consumo de água em torres de resfriamento sem a utilização de produtos químicos e ainda eliminando problemas de incrustações e acúmulo de metais pesados, corrosão e formação biológica, através de solução inovadora (novo modelo mental).

Oct 30, 2017

By Getúlio da Silva Abreu

O objetivo geral foi produzir e caracterizar a microestrutura de um compósito abrasivo nanoestruturado no sistema D-Si, via sinterização cíclica de alta pressão e alta temperatura (HPHT). A sinterização cíclica em alta pressão e alta temperatura de compósitos foi feita a partir de uma mistura de 70% diamante e 30% de Si como ligante, o qual foi moído por moagem de alta energia sendo então partícula nanométricaso. A sinterização foi realizada por 1 a 4 ciclos de pressão (P) de 7GPa- 4GPa e temperatura (T) 1600°C-300°C, para um tempo (t) de 1min. As análises de difrações de raios X mostraram a ocorrência, além do diamante, de SiC, FeSi e grafite. As análises de MEV e EDS mostraram uma distribuição uniforme dos cristais de diamante na matriz de SiC. A análise da região de fratura das amostras mostrou que todos os cristais de diamante foram abrangidos pelo ligante, ou seja, a liga formada a partir da interação de carbono e de silício. Finalmente, conclui-se que esta pesquisa aprimorou a técnica de produção de MCDs para uso futuro em bits de brocas de perfuração de poços de petróleo.

Aug 16, 2017

By Jan Krull

A high productive coke making process in connection with stringent emission control has clearly become a demand of plant operators and stakeholders. Further to this, availability, quality and coal costs are key concerns for the iron and steel industry in its efforts to optimize raw material cost. Today, the optimization of raw material cost in integrated steel works has further gained priority. Coking coal reflects up to 20% of the cost of steel. In top charged batteries coal preparation and blending is one of the concerns to lower coal cost by maximizing the percentage of non-coking coals in the blend. Stamp charging technology is technologically and economically an effective solution in the process of pre-carbonisation. Paul Wurth’s jumbo top charged oven as well as proven stamp charging technology have recently set new benchmarks in Europe, India and Brazil in terms of productivity, stability and emission control.

Aug 1, 2018

By Priscilla Pessin Coppo

The prevention of dental enamel wear has particular relevance for preventive and restorative purposes in dentistry. The wear damage can increase due to salivary disorders and/or parafunction (bruxism); antagonists incisal surfaces become flat and coincident. This study aims to investigate the wear behavior and the related mechanisms in sliding pairs of conformal incisal enamel, with similar values of hardness and fracture toughness, with different applied normal loads and lubricated conditions. Bovine incisors, under pin on flat configuration, were tested in two lubrication condition (dry or with natural saliva) and two applied normal loads (8 and 16 N). The worn surfaces were investigated by 3D profilometry and SEM. The analysis of worn surfaces indicated mechanisms of brittle fracture, but with different severities. Under a normal load of 16 N and dry condition, wear is controlled by a brittle process: microcracking with flake-like wear particles, which results in high friction coefficient (> 0.85), wear rate and wear volume. On the other hand, under a normal load of 8 N and natural saliva, wear took place in the interprismatic region, with consequent exposure of prisms and fracture in localized regions. In this case, the friction coefficient was 16% lower and the wear volume was one order of magnitude lower. Under 8 N and natural saliva, the wear was greater than in the dry condition, probably due to tribochemical reactions.

Jul 31, 2018

By Vinícius da Silva Madruga

Os processos de lingotamento contínuo e de lingotamento convencional apresentam diferenças na solidificação dos aços, esse fato tem impacto na distribuição, quantidade e forma de inclusões de óxidos e sulfetos. O objetivo desse trabalho é verificar de que maneira tais diferenças influenciam na distribuição dos sulfetos ao longo do aço solidificado de qualidade SAE 1050. Para isso, 20 amostras foram retiradas de eixos forjados e barras laminadas, produtos conformados de origem do lingotamento convencional e do lingotamento contínuo, respectivamente. As amostras foram analisadas em microscópio ótico e microscópio eletrônico de varredura no modo de análise automatizada de partículas. Através das imagens e de dados numéricos obtidos, foi visto que nas amostras de barra laminada há grande quantidade de sulfetos, se analisada na seção longitudinal, em relação às amostras de eixo forjado. Analisando na seção transversal, foram detectados menos sulfetos devido ao alinhamento dos mesmos. Entre as amostras de eixo forjado, a área ocupada pelos sulfetos é maior no pé do lingote, reduzindo em direção à cabeça, apesar de a cabeça apresentar mais sulfetos. Tais diferenças foram atribuídas à taxa de resfriamento, à seção transversal do produto e ao processo, que variam entre os dois tipos de lingotamento.

Oct 30, 2017

By Daniel Eduardo Parodi

Para acompañar el plan de aumento de producción de slabs de Siderar, fue necesario proyectar una nueva unidad separadora de aire para incrementar la generación de oxígeno, nitrógeno y argón. La premisa que direccionó este proyecto fue la integración y sinergia de la nueva unidad con el sistema de la Central Termoeléctrica y Altos Hornos, con el objetivo de salvar condicionamientos, obtener beneficios energéticos y aumentar la confiabilidad operativa. Como resultados de esta línea de trabajo se espera: Optimizar el aprovechamiento de gases de proceso, mejorando así el balance energético y la ecuación económica en la producción de los gases industriales; Mejorar el aspecto ambiental disminuyendo el quemado de gases en antorcha, reduciendo el consumo de combustibles fósiles y la compra de energía eléctrica; y aumentar la confiabilidad en el suministro de gases y del sistema de aire soplado a Altos Hornos.

Sep 25, 2017

By Michael Breuer, Christian Mengel, Luis Acainas Caballero, Olaf Jepsen

Stability of the hot strip mill rolling process remains a main topic when it comes to processing thin and hard materials. Strip steering especially at the end of rolling and tail out rips are a main source of unscheduled down times in a hot strip mill. Main focus of this paper is the new X-Roll® Guide system to improve mill stability and quality. An overview of SMS group developments in the recent years regarding equipment and control strategies is given. The new side guiding system in the entry area of the finishing mill is introduced and explained with operational examples. The system provides reproducible conditions for the threading process and during rolling. Steering control has a direct benefit on the availability of the mill. New developments of the roll alignment control strategies based on roll force and mill stand entry guide force measurement will be presented. Additionally a camera based measuring system is introduced that generates a direct process feedback of the strip position. It provides together with the roll alignment control the necessary control parameters for adjusting the roll gap and guiding the strip correct centered through the mill. As a summary the SMS group system is explained combining all features.

Oct 1, 2019

By Raúl Daniel López

Ternium-Siderar steelmaking has been focused in permanent improvements and process optimization. At present the Slab Continuous Caster N°1 has been totally transformed after 20 years of uninterrupted work. The authors of this paper summarize and comment on aspects which were the main changes and place emphasis largely on those technological developments in which they have been active during that period. Productivity and quality have been our goals during the last 20 years; it has led us to improve process and to achieve better control tools. In the development of this presentation, the authors will put special emphasis on the explanation of those works that were made following their own experiences through the technical personnel who belong to the staff of the company.

Jul 30, 2018

By Jose Pedro Gualberto Junior

Este estudo tem por objetivo analisar as causas de falha em cabo de aço utilizado na construção civil. Os cabos foram submetidos à metodologia de análise de falha. Foram realizadas inspeções visuais, análise de fratura em baixo aumento e em microscópio eletrônico de varredura, análise de microdureza, análise microestrutural em microscópio ótico e microscópio eletrônico de varredura e análise de resistência mecânica por ensaio de tração. Os resultados indicaram que os cabos sofreram severo desgaste e a ação da corrosão o que favoreceu a diminuição da resistência mecânica e a propagação de trincas planas por fadiga.

Aug 16, 2017

By Fabrício Tibúrcio Silva Araújo

O AutoLog é uma solução em tecnologia de automação e informação para controle absoluto do carregamento e descarregamento de caminhões em um grande cliente no ramo de fertilizantes. Seu objetivo é garantir uma operação autônoma que otimize os lucros e reduza os custos em logística. Este trabalho visa demonstrar o problema que originou a solução, a metodologia utilizada no seu desenvolvimento e o seu objetivo final.

Oct 30, 2017

By Verônica Scarpini Candido

Este trabalho tem o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da incorporação de até 15% em peso de lama de alto forno proveniente de uma siderúrgica do estado do Pará, na massa argilosa composta de argila forte e argila fraca para a produção de telhas. O resíduo e as argilas, forte e fraca, foram beneficiados e tiveram sua composição química determinada por meio de fluorescência de Raios-X. Foram preparados corpos de prova por prensagem uniaxial a 20 Mpa para queima em forno de laboratório tipo mufla a 950oC. Foram avaliadas a absorção de água e o módulo de ruptura em flexão dos corpos queimados. Os resultados mostraram que a lama de alto forno é constituída predominantemente por compostos de ferro e que a incorporação de até 15% em peso pode melhorar as propriedades tecnológicas das cerâmicas queimadas.

Oct 30, 2017

By Ananda Moreira Vaz Ourique de Avila

Ferritic stainless steels have been used in the making of high and intermediate temperature operation solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) interconnects, replacing the ceramic materials. However, at high temperatures, on the order of 700-850 0C, these steels can present significant oxidation and degradation processes, promoting increased electrical resistivity and corrosion losses that result in contamination of the electrodes and reducing the performance and the useful life of the SOFC. Thus, the knowledge on kinetics of oxidation/corrosion of these steels and their relationship with the microstructural transformations are of great importance. In this study, samples of ferritic stainless steels AISI 430, AISI 441 and Crofer22APU® were tested for oxidation at high temperature (800 0C) for long periods of time (up to 3,600 hours) and mass gains were monitored allowing the determination of the oxidation behaviors of these steels. Additionally, the microstructural characteristics of the samples before aging (corrosion-oxidation test) and after various oxidation times were evaluated by optical (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as by micro chemical elemental analysis (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) phase analysis. Electrical characterization allowed determination of electrical area-specific resistances (ASR) characteristics of the systems studied, thus relating the electrical and oxidative behaviors of steels evaluated.

Aug 7, 2018

By Thais Pereira Dias Gusmão, Sebastião Ribeiro, Fábio de Araujo

Estudo de viabilidade técnico-comercial de remediação de lagoa eutrofizada por cianobactérias e algas, reuso em sistema de Utildiades e melhoria operacional atravpes de controles analiticos e fisico-quimicos.

Aug 1, 2019

By Charles Sóstenes Assunção

A mathematical model of heat transfer and solidification for a continuous casting of round billets was developed. The water flux density of the secondary cooling zone was experimentally measured, using an apparatus in industrial scale with two types of nozzles, flat jet and full cone jet. The profiles of water distribution were applied on the mathematical model. The results showed that the water distribution is not uniform in both longitudinal and angular directions owing to the unevenness of the spray and to the curvature effect of the round billet. This non-uniformity causes important variation of the heat transfer coefficients and superficial temperature of the billet, especially in the first cooling zones, where the temperature is higher. The mathematical model was used to simulate a change of nozzle type in the first cooling zone. The results showed that the heat flux and superficial temperature variations were reduced with a full cone jet nozzle in comparison with the flat jet nozzles.

Aug 16, 2017