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Rizhao Steel Selects Primetals Technologies to Implement Advanced Systems
10/23/2025 - Primetals Technologies has successfully commissioned advanced process automation systems and technology at Rizhao Steel’s integrated plant in Rizhao, China.
The company said the scope includes level 2 automation systems including a basic oxygen furnace (BOF) optimizer, ladle furnace (LF) optimizer and RH optimizer across three LD converters in the BOF, four twin ladle furnaces and two twin RH plants.
The converters were also equipped with LOMAS offgas analysis systems. The BOF optimizer uses input from sublance inblow measurements combined with offgas data to determine the optimal treatment and ensure precise control of the blowing endpoint.
The new upgrade has made 95% of the steelmaking process now automated. The solution integrates metallurgical models, process control and calculations of input materials. Operators can manage the entire meltshop with little manual intervention. This has improved consistency, efficiency and product quality, the company said.
The key objective of the project was to reduce manual operator input needed during heats. The LD converter’s (BOF) system generates a complete setpoint table for the main blowing process, including oxygen volume, material addition with distribution pattern, and lance and stirring patterns.
At the LF, the system gives real-time, dynamic suggestions for slag modification, alloy additions, calcium treatments, and arcing and energy input based on caster pacing and equipment status.
For the RH plant, the solution delivers automated vacuum and liftgas patterns in addition to recommendations for the amount and timing of oxygen and alloy wires or pieces, the company said.
“This project sets a strong example for our digital transformation and will be a benchmark for large-tonnage converter ‘one-button steelmaking’ and automation upgrades in the steel industry,” said Zhou Yong Zhi, ESP plant production chief at Rizhao Steel.
Rizhao Steel said the automation systems meet all performance guarantees for chemical analysis and temperature hit rates. Operators receive real-time insights as the plant continues to move toward full digitalization.
The converters were also equipped with LOMAS offgas analysis systems. The BOF optimizer uses input from sublance inblow measurements combined with offgas data to determine the optimal treatment and ensure precise control of the blowing endpoint.
The new upgrade has made 95% of the steelmaking process now automated. The solution integrates metallurgical models, process control and calculations of input materials. Operators can manage the entire meltshop with little manual intervention. This has improved consistency, efficiency and product quality, the company said.
The key objective of the project was to reduce manual operator input needed during heats. The LD converter’s (BOF) system generates a complete setpoint table for the main blowing process, including oxygen volume, material addition with distribution pattern, and lance and stirring patterns.
At the LF, the system gives real-time, dynamic suggestions for slag modification, alloy additions, calcium treatments, and arcing and energy input based on caster pacing and equipment status.
For the RH plant, the solution delivers automated vacuum and liftgas patterns in addition to recommendations for the amount and timing of oxygen and alloy wires or pieces, the company said.
“This project sets a strong example for our digital transformation and will be a benchmark for large-tonnage converter ‘one-button steelmaking’ and automation upgrades in the steel industry,” said Zhou Yong Zhi, ESP plant production chief at Rizhao Steel.
Rizhao Steel said the automation systems meet all performance guarantees for chemical analysis and temperature hit rates. Operators receive real-time insights as the plant continues to move toward full digitalization.
