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Siemens to Modernize Severstal Billet Caster
01/31/2008 - Siemens Metals Technologies will upgrade Severstal’s 6-strand billet caster in Cherepovets, Russia.
Severstal, Russia, has awarded a contract to Siemens Metals Technologies to upgrade their 6-strand billet caster located in Cherepovets, Russia.
Severstal placed the order following a test campaign in which Siemens replaced the existing electro-mechanical mold oscillator on one of the strands with a DynaFlex hydraulic oscillator. To accommodate high-speed casting trials, Siemens also adapted the strand-containment system and modified the secondary-cooling system.
Replacement of the electro-mechanical oscillator was necessary to reduce the increased vibrations and oscillation deviations that occur in this equipment unit at higher casting speeds, in addition to the inability to adjust the oscillation stroke during operations to satisfy the actual casting requirements. Casting tests were performed on a 100- x 100-mm billet and casting speeds in excess of seven meters per minute were demonstrated—more than one meter per minute faster than during normal operations in the existing facility.
On the basis of the high-speed-casting demonstrations, Severstal commissioned Siemens to outfit the billet caster’s five remaining strands with DynaFlex oscillation technology. Siemens will modify the five strands’ secondary-cooling systems to satisfy the requirements for higher-speed casting, and will also modify related electrical equipment and the Level 1 automation system.
The DynaFlex oscillation system allows the mold-oscillation parameters, such as stroke and oscillation frequency, to be controlled and optimized online according to the actual casting requirements. This leads to improved strand-surface quality and casting operations. In contrast to other systems that are based on the use of bearings, the DynaFlex oscillator uses a leaf-spring guiding system for virtual wear-free performance.
Upon completion of this project in early 2008, Severstal will be able to increase their casting speed and thus their total billet production.
Severstal, the largest steel manufacturer in Russia, produced a total of 11.27 million tons in 2006. At its main production site located in Cherepovets in northwestern Russia, the company produces a wide range of long- and flat-steel products, including hot- and cold-rolled flat steel (also coated steel), hot-rolled sections, roll-formed shapes, structural steel and pipes.
As part of its modernization program to improve the output and quality of steel, Severstal installed a 6-strand continuous billet-casting machine in 2002, followed by a second EAF (electric arc furnace) in the electric arc shop in Cherepovets. The billet caster produces approximately one million ton of steel per year in 100x100-mm and 150x150-mm-square formats. Low-carbon grades are cast in the smaller formats, which are subsequently rolled to rebars and structural steels for use in the construction industry.
With the business activities of Siemens VAI Metal Technologies, Austria, Siemens Water Technologies, Warrendale, PA, and Industry Technologies, Germany, the Siemens Industry Solutions Division (IS) is one of the world's leading solution and service providers for industrial and infrastructure facilities.
