Nov. 2006 — Anshan Iron & Steel Co. Ltd., Anshan, China, has awarded SMS Mevac, Germany, a contract to supply a further RH-TOP plant.

The new plant will incorporate a fast-vessel-exchange system with hydraulic ladle lifting and a metallurgical TOP lance. Vacuum will be achieved by a four-stage steam ejector vacuum pump.

A ladle turret will be used to transport the ladle between the hand-over position and the treatment position, thus increasing unit availability while reducing crane utilization. The equipment necessary for snorkel maintenance is located on the ladle turret.

SMS Mevac’s scope of supply includes delivery of key components, a major portion of the electrical equipment and instrumentation. SMS Mevac will also provide a metallurgical model as well as supervision of installation and commissioning.

The new plant will be used predominantly for the production of flat products. Commissioning of the eighth RH plant is scheduled for early 2008.

SMS Mevac GmbH forms part of the Metallurgical Plant and Rolling Mill Technology Business Area of the SMS group. SMS GmbH is the holding for a group of companies internationally active in plant construction and mechanical engineering relating to the processing of steel, non-ferrous metals and plastics. The group is divided into the Business Areas of Metallurgical Plant and Rolling Mill Technology, Tube, Long Product and Forging Technology and Plastics Technology. In the year 2005 some 9,250 employees worldwide generated a turnover of about EUR 2.33 billion.