Second Continuous Slab Caster from Siemens Starts Up at JSW Steel
12/16/2013 - In August 2013, a new continuous slab caster from Siemens Metals Technologies began operating at the Toranagallu steelworks of Indian steel producer Jindal South West Steel Ltd. (JSW Steel).
The No. 4 single-strand caster installed in Steelworks No. 1 has an annual production capacity of 1.4 million metric tons of slabs, thereby increasing the total casting capacity of Steelworks No. 1 to 4.2 million metric tons per year. Like continuous slab caster No. 3, also supplied by Siemens, the new caster is equipped with the DynaGap soft reduction system. The resulting high internal quality of the slabs is the basis for producing high-quality steel tubes up to X65 in accordance with the API (American Petroleum Institute) standard, as well as other micro-alloyed steels.
At Steelworks No. 1 in Toranagallu in the Indian state of Karnataka, JSW Steel now operates four continuous slab casters. Casters No. 1 and No. 2 have been in operation since 1999 and were modernized by Siemens a few years ago. Caster No. 3 has been in operation since late 2006 and was the first plant in India in 2009 to be equipped by Siemens with DynaGap Soft Reduction technology.
The new No. 4 caster is part of an ongoing expansion program at JSW Steel. With a machine radius of eight meters, it has a metallurgical length of 35 meters. Presently, slabs are cast with a thickness of 220 mm and widths ranging from 800 to 1,600 mm. The machine has a design range for future slab thicknesses of up to 260 mm. The maximum casting speed is two meters per minute. Thanks to DynaGap Soft Reduction, slabs can be cast from high-grade steel tube grades such as X65 according to the API standards, as well as other micro-alloyed steels.
The design and equipment of the new continuous slab caster are similar to those of continuous caster No. 3, which simplifies operation, maintenance and spare parts management. Continuous caster No.4 is equipped with EN 14753 safety features. Smart Segments are used to contain the strand, which were manufactured in Siemens workshop facilities. A number of technological packages ensure an optimum casting process, producing slabs with both high surface and internal quality. These include the Mold Expert breakout prediction system, the LevCon mold level control, the DynaFlex mold oscillator and the Quality Expert inline quality assurance system. Siemens also supplied the complete basic and process automation systems.
Continuous slab caster No. 4 at JSW Steel in Toranagallu, India
At Steelworks No. 1 in Toranagallu in the Indian state of Karnataka, JSW Steel now operates four continuous slab casters. Casters No. 1 and No. 2 have been in operation since 1999 and were modernized by Siemens a few years ago. Caster No. 3 has been in operation since late 2006 and was the first plant in India in 2009 to be equipped by Siemens with DynaGap Soft Reduction technology.
The new No. 4 caster is part of an ongoing expansion program at JSW Steel. With a machine radius of eight meters, it has a metallurgical length of 35 meters. Presently, slabs are cast with a thickness of 220 mm and widths ranging from 800 to 1,600 mm. The machine has a design range for future slab thicknesses of up to 260 mm. The maximum casting speed is two meters per minute. Thanks to DynaGap Soft Reduction, slabs can be cast from high-grade steel tube grades such as X65 according to the API standards, as well as other micro-alloyed steels.
The design and equipment of the new continuous slab caster are similar to those of continuous caster No. 3, which simplifies operation, maintenance and spare parts management. Continuous caster No.4 is equipped with EN 14753 safety features. Smart Segments are used to contain the strand, which were manufactured in Siemens workshop facilities. A number of technological packages ensure an optimum casting process, producing slabs with both high surface and internal quality. These include the Mold Expert breakout prediction system, the LevCon mold level control, the DynaFlex mold oscillator and the Quality Expert inline quality assurance system. Siemens also supplied the complete basic and process automation systems.
