SSAB Completes Blast Furnace Modernization, Puts New BOF Converter Into Production
11/11/2015 - The first of three new BOF (LD) converters at SSAB Europe’s Raahe, Finland, works has been placed into production, according to the vendor on the project.
According to Primetals Technologies, SSAB is replacing the plant’s three existing converters with units that feature detachable bottoms, bottom-stirring systems and optimized geometry, allowing for a larger reaction volume and an improved refractory lining design.
Primetals is providing the engineering for the converter vessels, trunnion rings and Vaicon Link 2.0 maintenance-free suspension systems. It said the converters feature the Vaicon Stopper to minimize slag transfer on tapping.
The tips of the blowing lances are being adapted to the new converter geometry, thereby improving the blowing process. Primetals Technologies is also responsible for monitoring the pre-assembly and installation work as well as the commissioning.
The other converters are scheduled to be put into service in stages through August 2016.
SSAB Raahe works is an integrated facility, the largest of its kind in the Nordic countries. It has two blast furnaces, three BOF converters, secondary metallurgical systems and three continuous casting systems.
The plant can produce up to 2.6 million metric tons of steel annually.
SSAB modernized the plant’s blast furnaces several years ago, replacing a heavy fuel oil injection system with a pulverized coal injection system. Those upgrades, along with upgrades to another blast furnace in Lulea, Sweden, are expected to save the company SEK200 million in annual costs.
As part of the Lulea upgrades, SSAB replaced the hearth carbon refractories and furnace cooling staves. It also installed a new casthouse de-dusting filter and revamped the plant’s two converters.
The project has been completed and the Lulea furnace is again producing crude iron, SSAB said.
“This summer’s installations in both Lulea and Raahe will further improve both our cost efficiency and environmental footprint. The investments will enable our facilities to continue producing high-class steel for many years to come,” said Olavi Huhtala, head of SSAB Europe, in a statement.
“This means that we can now continue to develop world-leading steel applications in close collaboration with customers,” Huhtala said.
All told, SSAB has five Nordic blast furnaces capable of producing 6.4 million metric tons annually. However, one of the five furnaces was idled in October, the company said.
Primetals is providing the engineering for the converter vessels, trunnion rings and Vaicon Link 2.0 maintenance-free suspension systems. It said the converters feature the Vaicon Stopper to minimize slag transfer on tapping.
The tips of the blowing lances are being adapted to the new converter geometry, thereby improving the blowing process. Primetals Technologies is also responsible for monitoring the pre-assembly and installation work as well as the commissioning.
The other converters are scheduled to be put into service in stages through August 2016.
SSAB Raahe works is an integrated facility, the largest of its kind in the Nordic countries. It has two blast furnaces, three BOF converters, secondary metallurgical systems and three continuous casting systems.
The plant can produce up to 2.6 million metric tons of steel annually.
SSAB modernized the plant’s blast furnaces several years ago, replacing a heavy fuel oil injection system with a pulverized coal injection system. Those upgrades, along with upgrades to another blast furnace in Lulea, Sweden, are expected to save the company SEK200 million in annual costs.
As part of the Lulea upgrades, SSAB replaced the hearth carbon refractories and furnace cooling staves. It also installed a new casthouse de-dusting filter and revamped the plant’s two converters.
The project has been completed and the Lulea furnace is again producing crude iron, SSAB said.
“This summer’s installations in both Lulea and Raahe will further improve both our cost efficiency and environmental footprint. The investments will enable our facilities to continue producing high-class steel for many years to come,” said Olavi Huhtala, head of SSAB Europe, in a statement.
“This means that we can now continue to develop world-leading steel applications in close collaboration with customers,” Huhtala said.
All told, SSAB has five Nordic blast furnaces capable of producing 6.4 million metric tons annually. However, one of the five furnaces was idled in October, the company said.
