NLMK Starts Hot Testing of New RH degasser

09/19/2011 - Novolipetsk has started hot tests at its new 4 million tonne/year RH vacuum degasser.  The new degasser, part of NLMK's Technical Upgrading Program, is being implemented together with SMS Mevac.

Novolipetsk has started hot tests at its new 4 million tonne/year RH vacuum degasser. The hot tests follow successful completion of pre-commissioning activities, including cold alignment checks, hydraulic, electrical equipment and drive system adjustments.

Following its commissioning in the third quarter of 2011, the RH vacuum degasser will enable the company to supply high-quality slabs to its rolling assets both in Russia and in Europe, as all of the steel produced will now go through ladle treatment. The degasser will also allow the company to expand its product mix to include the production of new grades used for the manufacture of heavy-duty gas and oil pipes suitable for acid conditions, and high ductility light gage steels for car manufacturing.

The RH degasser is part of the secondary metallurgy complex of BOF Shop No. 2, along with two new ladle furnaces with total annual capacity of 8 million tonnes, commissioned last year, and five ladle metallurgy furnaces. Secondary metallurgy facilities of BOF Shop No. 1 include a 400,000 tonne/year degasser and three revamped ladle metallurgy furnaces. NLMK also is constructing two additional ladle furnaces, each with an annual capacity of 2 million tonnes. Their launch is tentatively scheduled for Q4 2011.

This RUR3.6-billion project, part of NLMK's Technical Upgrading Program, is being implemented together with SMS Mevac (Germany).

The main objectives of Stage II of NLMK's Technical Upgrade Program (2007 to 2012) include:

· Expand annual steel output by 40% to 17.4 million tonnes, including an expansion from 9 to 12.4 million tonnes at the Lipetsk site

· Develop secondary metallurgy capabilities at the Lipetsk site

· To achieve maximum self-sufficiency in basic raw materials

· To increase finished rolled products output through upgrades and construction of new facilities

· To increase labor efficiency and improve environmental performance