Development of high-quality grades production techniques using a VOD plant at voestalpine giesserei linz

Abstract

The steel market is experiencing a difficult conjuncture: on the one hand steel producers minimise their investments while optimising their over-production, on the other hand suppliers reduce their internal human resources and capacity in order to overcome the instability of the new era. A return to the steel production levels of the past is not expected in the short term. Research, development and plant concept optimization is one recipe to drive the future of the steel business. This article describes a new concept for a VOD plant developed as a result of thorough investigation and assessment of all possible solutions. A joint and tight cooperation with the final customer was necessary to reaching important results. This article consists of the contributions from the plant suppliers in terms of their experience and feedback, as well as the final user's. The final customer, voestalpine Giesserei Linz GmbH, and the plant supplier, Primetals Technologies, are both worldwide players and highly focused on reaching best quality and innovation. The article describes in detail a project that marks a change in the use of vacuum technologies for tank degassers.