Small-Scale Steelmaking

Abstract

The contents of this volume cover all the major activities associated with small-scale steelmaking in mini-steelworks (except Direct Reduction, on which two comprehensive volumes have recently appeared - see refs 11 & 12, Chapter 2). There is, of course, an immediate problem of agreeing on a suitable definition of mini-steelworks and the entrepreneurial nature of many businesses based on the mini-steelplant route compounds this problem. Nevertheless, as is shown by the lucid review in the opening chapter, it is quite possible to derive a working definition of a mini- steelworks. The succeeding chapters deal with steelmaking in a linear fashion; a survey of raw materials supply being followed by independent analyses of arc furnace practice, casting and rolling. The volume is rounded off by a consideration of the important topics of energy costs and environmental factors. As anyone associated with iron and steelmaking well knows, the indus- try is not the exclusive preserve of the metallurgist, although he plays a prominent role in its activities. For this reason, it is hoped that the level of treatment will commend the book to a wide readership. that includes non-metallurgical professionals in plant management and elsewhere, as well as industrial metallurgists. Lecturers in universities, polytechnics and colleges of further education should find this volume useful as a course reader for final year and postgraduate studies of steelmaking.