Metals Technologies

SIMETAL Vaicon StopperPneumatic slag stopper to ensure high product quality.

The robust SIMETAL Vaicon Stopper provides steelmakers with the means for tight control of slag carry-over at the end of tapping. Consisting of a cylinder and cast iron nozzle mounted on a support structure installed close to the tap hole, the nozzle is slewed into the tap hole and actuated either manually or automatically by the IRIS slag indication system. The contact-free infrared identification system offers optimal differentiation between slag and steel. Precise resolution and robustness are the advantages.

SIMETAL Vaicon Stopper

Your challenge:

High-quality steel grades demand low phosphorus content. Reduction of the carry-over slag during tapping and further ladle treatment is the main reason for lowering P-content in steel.

Our solution:

The slag retention system utilizes a pneumatic sealing effect with nitrogen gas and no mechanical contact with the tap hole. This solution makes the slag stopper independent from tap hole wear, thus ensuring that slag retention is always efficient.

The product package consists of:

The SIMETAL Vaicon Stopper unit with driving elements and a high speed nitrogen injection system

Rotary joint for supply of the media from the permanently mounted outside piping system into the trunnion, thus providing a tiltable system

Automatic control of the system using signals from a slag detection system (IRIS)

Compressor station for nitrogen, if not already available

Back-up accumulator in case of compressor station failure

Pressure reduction station and utility control

IRIS is based on the different emissivity behavior of steel and slag in the infrared area. The system, including camera, visualization, industrial PC and evaluation unit, offers continuous and real-time observation and visualization of the tapping operation.A special image-processing algorithm continuously evaluates and archives the generated image.A signal is triggered in the event of slag carry-over to notify initiate slag stopper movement.The IRIS camera is set up at a protected, easily accessible location at a certain distance from the converter. It is well protected by its water-cooled housing by means of an integral air-jet lens-cleaning system.The operating personnel follow the tapping and slag-dumping operations from the HMI and are informed about all significant process parameters (e.g. tapping duration, converter angle, system status).

Installation requirements

Sufficient space is required for the installation of a SIMETAL Vaicon Stopper unit. A minimum distance is kept to the ladle in tapping position and to the offgas system hood to avoid collisions in case of skull build-up.

Maintenance

The SIMETAL Vaicon Stopper unit is maintained offline. Quick change of the slag stopper unit is supported by quick media coupling, hammer head bolts and a mounting bracket on the converter. Typical exchange times are approximately two hours.

Slag detection system

IRIS (Infrared Slag Identification System) This thermographic slag identification system is a quick and very reliable method of early slag detection. It permanently monitors the tapping stream by means of an infrared camera.

www.siemens-vai.com

SIMETAL is a trademark of Siemens AG.

The information provided in this brochure contains merely general descrip tions or characteristics of performance which in case of actual use do not always apply as described or which may change as a result of further development of the products. An obligation to provide the respective characteristics shall only exist if expressly agreed in the terms of contract.

Order No.: E10001-M3-A62-V1-7600, Dispo No: 21661, K-No.: 28103, printed SVAI

Siemens AG 2010. All rights reserved. Subject to change without prior notice.

Siemens VAI Metals Technologies GmbH & Co

P.O. Box 4, Turmstr. 44 4031 Linz, Austria

Phone: +43 (0)732 6592-E-mail: convertersteelmaking.metals@siemens.com

Advantages of SIMETAL Vaicon Stopper

Reduced rephosphorization and improved steel quality because of reduced slag carry-over down to 2-3 kg/t liquid steel

Lowered consumption of deoxidation and alloying materials

Lesser ladle refractory wear due to reduced carry-over of aggressive slag containing FeO and MnO

No need for special shape of the converter or wearing parts because of non-contact technology

Always accessible (e.g., inspection, maintenance)

Thermo-camera - temperature recording

Tapping of steel Steel accompied by slag Slag accompanied by steel

Tapping of slag Slewing of SIMETAL Vaicon Stopper

SIMETAL Vaicon Stopper in operation

SIMETAL Vaicon Stopper