SMS Siemag, SMS INNSE to Upgrade ACERINOX Meltshop
05/09/2012 - ACERINOX, Palmones, Spain, has awarded SMS Siemag and SMS INNSE S.p.A. a contract for the modernization of the electric arc furnace and the supply of an AOD converter vessel, respectively.
ACERINOX, Palmones, Spain, has awarded SMS Siemag, Germany, and SMS INNSE S.p.A., Italy, a contract for the supply of an AOD converter vessel and the modernization of the electric arc furnace supplied in 1998.
SMS INNSE will supply the AOD converter vessel and two change vessels with a tapping weight of 108 tonnes. The converter design was optimized on the basis of a study that ACERINOX had previously ordered from SMS Siemag. The study investigated the vibrations that occur during the AOD blowing process on account of bath movements.
On the basis of these data, SMS INNSE examined the effects on the service life of the converter tilting gear unit. The company will modernize the valve station (O2, Ar, N2, Air), which will receive an individual shrouding-gas control system. Also included in the scope of supply are the engineering, the mechanical equipment, as well as the supervision of erection and commissioning.
The EAF with a heat size of 120 tonnes will be modernized by SMS Siemag. The spout-tilting EAF will receive a new spray-water cooled furnace roof in place of the former conventional type of roof. This patented method of roof cooling uses water at atmospheric pressure, thereby reducing the potential risk that large amounts of high-pressure water present in case of leaks.
SMS Siemag's scope of supply includes the engineering, the supply of the mechanical equipment, electrical equipment and automation system, as well as the supervision of erection and commissioning.
The AOD converter is to start production this year, while the electric arc furnace is scheduled to be commissioned in 2013.
At its Palmones works, ACERINOX operates a flat-product line for the production of stainless steel in various grades. The meltshop is equipped with three electric arc furnaces and two AOD converters and produces around 1 million tonnes (0.9 million tonnes of flat products and 0.1 million tonnes of long products) of liquid steel per year.
SMS Siemag AG is a company of the SMS group which, under the roof of the SMS Holding GmbH, consists of a group of companies internationally active in plant construction and mechanical engineering for the steel and nonferrous metals industry. With about 11,000 employees, the group generates sales of over EUR 3 billion.
