03:00 pm
Converter on life-support: A structured approach to determine the governing parameters of refractory wear to stabilise and prolong the lining lifetime
Fons Vermeulen | Tata Steel IJmuiden | Netherlands
Show details
Authors:
Fons Vermeulen | Tata Steel IJmuiden | Netherlands
Warbout Tesselaar | Tata Steel IJmuiden | Netherlands
Elizabeth Gisolf | Tata Steel IJmuiden | Netherlands
The process of Basic Oxygen Steelmaking (BOS) happens within a converter lined with a carbon magnesia refractory lining. The average wear and the spread in total lifetime of the refractory linings of the converters at Tata Steel IJmuiden has been increasing under the influence of alterations in both the BOS-process and the refractory maintenance strategy. To ensure a stable and predictable output and to minimise the risk of single vessel operation and loss of production, a stable and predictable lifetime of the converter refractory lining is required. Therefore, it is vital to be able to predict, understand and control the refractory wear. At Tata Steel IJmuiden the wear of the converter refractory lining is calculated from laser scans. However, these laser scans can contain significant errors, cannot distinguish between skull and refractory and are only made every ten heats. As a result, it is difficult to quantify the effect of changes in BOS-process or refractory maintenance on refractory wear. This study aims to provide a well-structured approach trough advanced analytics and modelling to assess the influence of changes in single parameters on converter refractory wear in different areas of the vessel.
03:20 pm
Into the Unknown: Explaining and predicting slag line wear based on process parameters
Dr. Ana Gil | Tata Steel IJmuiden | Netherlands
Show details
Authors:
Dr. Ana Gil | Tata Steel IJmuiden | Netherlands
Warbout Tesselaar | Tata Steel IJmuiden | Netherlands
Elizabeth Gisolf | Tata Steel IJmuiden | Netherlands
Steel ladles are an essential tool for steel production and are “exposed” to a wide variety of chemical and physical reactions which culminate on the wearing of the refractory lining. Thus, being able to predict the effect of operating condition on wear is critical to ensure high and stable life and, consequently, high ladle availability and minimum refractory cost. Over the past year, wear rate and variation at slag line has become the bottleneck for ladle life. Therefore, understanding, predicting and controlling wear at the slag line has become critical for the ladle life stability and performance. This study aims to identify the most influential process parameters and material properties on wear as well as to develop a predictive model. The methodologies followed, outcomes and encountered challenges will be presented.