Title

LIQUID POOL CONTROL, SOFT REDUCTION & BREAKOUT PREVENTION TECHNIQUES: THE NUCOR HICKMAN FLEXIBLE THIN SLAB CASTER

LIQUID POOL CONTROL, SOFT REDUCTION & BREAKOUT PREVENTION TECHNIQUES: THE NUCOR HICKMAN FLEXIBLE THIN SLAB CASTER

Authorship

BATTISTUTTO, : R.

BATTISTUTTO, : R.

I am this author

DOI

10.5151/2594-5300-28Aciaria-267-276

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Abstract

Sophisticated control techniques and mathematical models provide significantly enhanced operating practice and product quality. Smaller cast thicknesses provide much higher flexibility in the hot strip mill. The flexible Thin Slab Caster (fTSC) technology, developed by Danieli on the Sabbionara pilot plant at ABS steelworks, Italy, since 1992, has been applied for the first time to the original thin slab casting facility of Nucor Hickman, Armorel, Arkansas, USA. The fTSC unit and related automation system, installed on-site in July 1995, has produced, during the commissioning tests, a total of 15,000 tons of 55–45 mm thick slabs, with remarkably good results in terms of performance, product quality standard and yield. After the commissioning, Nucor Hickman team is currently producing slabs with 45–35 mm thickness. Liquid Pool Control, Soft Reduction and Breakout Prevention are the main functions of the fTSC automation system, implemented by Danieli CEDA, which have delivered these outstanding results, in addition to the basic operator and process engineer tools.

Sophisticated control techniques and mathematical models provide significantly enhanced operating practice and product quality. Smaller cast thicknesses provide much higher flexibility in the hot strip mill. The flexible Thin Slab Caster (fTSC) technology, developed by Danieli on the Sabbionara pilot plant at ABS steelworks, Italy, since 1992, has been applied for the first time to the original thin slab casting facility of Nucor Hickman, Armorel, Arkansas, USA. The fTSC unit and related automation system, installed on-site in July 1995, has produced, during the commissioning tests, a total of 15,000 tons of 55–45 mm thick slabs, with remarkably good results in terms of performance, product quality standard and yield. After the commissioning, Nucor Hickman team is currently producing slabs with 45–35 mm thickness. Liquid Pool Control, Soft Reduction and Breakout Prevention are the main functions of the fTSC automation system, implemented by Danieli CEDA, which have delivered these outstanding results, in addition to the basic operator and process engineer tools.

Keywords

LIQUID POOL CONTROL, SOFT REDUCTION, BREAKOUT PREVENTION, THIN SLAB CASTING, ELECTRIC ARC FURNACE

LIQUID POOL CONTROL, SOFT REDUCTION, BREAKOUT PREVENTION, THIN SLAB CASTING, ELECTRIC ARC FURNACE