Primetals Technologies said its Slag Expert module determines optimum lime levels and calculates the target value for the required slag basicity at the end of the blowing process. Start-up and fine-tuning of the module along with initial process monitoring largely were carried out remotely, Primetals Technologies said, adding that the system is already yielding results. 

"We were able to meet the identified improvements after just a few weeks, and we even exceeded them in some cases. The most important aspect for us is to optimize the input of lime in order to meet the required phosphorus levels,” said Christian Schlüter,
Salzgitter Flachstahl’s head of melting operations.

The company said the Slag Expert module works with its Dynacon process model and an LD converter offgas measurement system to determine the optimal timing of the end of the blowing process. With these systems, blowing process interruptions arising from sampling and measurement taking are largely eliminated, Primetals Technologies said.