Improving plant performance and steel quality

Automation solutions from Siemens VAI form the basis for fully optimized process operations in electrical steelmaking, oxygen steelmaking and secondary metallurgy for the production of carbon, alloyed, stainless and special steel grades. Sophisticated metallurgical models and technological packages shorten tap-to-tap times, ensure that quality targets are met, and substantially reduce overall costs.

Siemens VAI supplies state-of-the-art electrics and automation solutions for maximum performance and product quality throughout the entire steel plant. The unique advantage of this integrated approach is that it ensures process stability, product quality, and operation flexibility, while safeguarding efficiency and profitability throughout the entire plant life cycle.

Decades of experience with steelmaking technology combined with extensive electrics and automation expertise form the basis for highly advanced automation systems for every plant unit. Proven solutions for power supply and power compensation, drives, technological control packages, and process optimization enable smooth production and the intelligent use of energy and raw materials. Moreover, innovative service concepts ensure continuous high availability of plant and equipment.

SIMETAL BOF Optimization

Process optimization system for BOF converter

SIMETAL BOF Optimization is an advanced process optimization system for all types of carbon steelmaking converters. The advanced process models determine the required charging materials as well as the oxygen volume to be blown and control the BOF process in fully automatic mode. The hitting rate for carbon and temperature can be increased and the number of reblows is significantly reduced.

SIMETAL EAF Optimization

Process optimization system for electric arc furnace

This automation system is suitable for all types of EAFs and optimizes the production of a wide range of steel grades including carbon, stainless and special steels. The advanced process models determine - in a cost optimizing way - the required charging and alloying materials and enable a full automatic control of the EAF process. This helps to reduce production costs and to increase productivity.

SIMETAL LF Optimization

Process optimization system for ladle furnace

SIMETAL LF Optimization is a highly-developed process optimization system for ladle furnaces and ladle treatment stands. It provides for an exact adjustment of steel bath temperature and steel composition for continuous casting. Advanced process models determine the required amount of energy for heating and the most cost-efficient combination of alloying materials. Furthermore, optimization of the scheduled process steps is performed.

SIMETAL VD Optimization

Process optimization system for vacuum tank degassing

This automation system optimizes and controls the final adjustments of the steel in vacuum tank degassing plants with or without oxygen blowing facilities. Beside the calculation of the required alloying materials, the process models perform a continuous online supervision of the thermal and chemical state of the heat particularly regarding the degassing processes, i.e. the removal of hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen as well as the decarburization process.

SIMETAL SIMELT Electrode Control

Fully automatic electrode control in electric arc furnaces and ladle furnaces

SIMETAL SIMELT ensures optimal operation of the electric arcs and their dynamic follow-up, plus sensitive operation of the electrodes and furnace. It also optimizes the melting process using artificial intelligence. The optional solution component MDC takes charge for a fully-automated melt-down.

SIMETAL SIMELT

Furnace Switchgears up to 4000 A

SIMETAL SIVAC-X - High currents, high voltage – high safety

We assure carefully planned installation and protective circuits that are custom-designed for your electric arc furnace power supply system. In this context, we not only offer more than 30 years of experience in vacuum circuit breakers, but also our deep knowledge of their specific use as furnace breakers. With SIMETAL SIVAC-X you can avoid dielectric overloading of your equipment, even in the presence of voltages of up to 40.5 kV and current levels of up to 4000 A.

SIMETAL Dynacon

Dynamic BOF optimization based on offgas measurement

SIMETAL Dynacon is a dynamic process optimization system for converters equipped with an offgas measurement system. The dynamic process model performs an online cyclical calculation of temperature and weight, chemical analysis of steel and slag, throughout the entire steelmaking process. A significant change in the offgas composition near the end of the refining process allows the exact determination of end-of-blow time. Oxygen blowing is automatically stopped when the targeted carbon content of the steel is reached.

SIMETAL Dynacon

SIMETAL AOD Optimization

Process optimization system for AOD converter

SIMETAL AOD Optimization covers the complete range of stainless steel refining technologies, such as AOD or K-OBM-S. Intelligent control of the converter process is achieved by a comprehensive group of process models. The models determine the required supply of raw materials and gas volumes for different treatment steps and supervise the metallurgical and thermal process. This adds up to improved steel quality and increased productivity at reduced production costs.

SIMETAL RH Optimization

Process optimization system for RH degassing plant

SIMETAL RH Optimization is the perfect automation solution for operating the vacuum circulation plant at high efficiency. It ensures an exact adjustment of the steel composition and the cost-optimized use of alloying materials for final adjustment of the steel analysis. The removal of hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon from the steel bath according to the vacuum level and the metallurgical treatment is continuously calculated and controlled.

SIMETAL VVVF Control

VVVF control for dedusting systems

The VVVF (Variable Voltage Variable Frequency) drive control system manages the rotational speed of an AC electric motor. In steel plant dedusting systems a damper or VVVF control system can be used to control the waste gas flow rate. Considering the total cost of ownership, especially increasing energy costs, VVVF control offers significant advantages.

Dedusting Solutions (2 MB)

SIMETAL SIMELT FSM

The foaming slag process is fully automated with the SIMELT FSM. Body sound sensors are the base for precise detection and slag height analysis. Sectional and electrode related slag detection guiding the automatic carbon injection to lowest consumption figures. With reduced energy and carbon consumption production costs are lower and resulting shorter power-on times allow higher productivity.

At many electric arc furnaces the foaming slag process is based on visual supervision and the carbon injection is manually controlled by the operator. Semiautomatic systems using current signals and the harmonic content can only generally support the operator to control the slag process. The target of a new foaming slag detection shall ensure complete and stable covering of arc and steelbath by foaming slag. Further reductions of resources, energy and carbon consumption shall lower production costs and heat losses. By reducing process times the productivity shall increase. A fully automated liquid steel bath process shall be the result.

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