Sumitomo Streamlines Super Functional, Super Clean Steel Production Lines at Kokura
12/28/2009 - Sumitomo Metal Industries starts operating the newly constructed No. 2 Ladle Furnace refining facility, No. 2 RH degassing facility, and No. 4 continuous caster at Sumitomo Metals (Kokura), Ltd. An innovative new phosphorous removal furnace is also under construction, with completion targeted for October 2010.
Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. recently held a completion ceremony and started operation of No. 2 Ladle Furnace refining facility, No. 2 RH degassing facility, and No. 4 continuous caster at Sumitomo Metals (Kokura), Ltd.
Constructed over the period from February 2007 to December 2009, the new production units are part of Sumitomo’s plan to establish a production line dedicated to the production of super functional steels. To achieve the advanced workability required for these types of steels, production must include the active dispersion and control of non-metallic inclusions such as oxides and sulfides – steps that are now facilitated by the new secondary refining processes.
Previously, Sumitomo’s Kokura facility processed both super functional steels and super clean steels through the same process equipment, namely an RH Degasser, a Vacuum Arc Degasser, Ladle Furnace, two Continuous Casters and ingot casting. With the addition of the new process equipment, Sumitomo has created a completely separate process line for the production of super functional steels.
The Kokura facility’s other major product line — super clean steels — are characterized by longer life and superior fatigue characteristics, necessitating a nearly complete removal of non-metallic inclusions. Sumitomo will now process these grades in the existing Vacuum Arc Degasser, No. 1 RH Degasser, and No. 3 Continuous Caster.
The Kokura facility’s other major product line — super clean steels — are characterized by longer life and superior fatigue characteristics, necessitating a nearly complete removal of non-metallic inclusions. Sumitomo will now process these grades in the existing Vacuum Arc Degasser, No. 1 RH Degasser, and No. 3 Continuous Caster.
Separation of secondary refining and processing for the two types of special steels is enabling Sumitomo to apply optimal processes for each product and simplify logistics, which is in turn helping to improve both quality and efficiency.
A phosphorous removal furnace is also under construction, with completion targeted for October 2010. The objective for this investment is introduction of the Simple Refining Process, which features the separate removal of phosphorous and carbon through the use of top and bottom blown basic oxygen furnace. The new process is projected to reduce phosphorous levels to as low as 8 ppm in a refining time as short as nine minutes. The new process also features a lower environmental burden as the result of lower slag volumes and lower emissions of CO2.
The Simple Refining Process was commercially applied for the first time at Sumitomo’s Wakayama Steel Works. The process was awarded the Okochi Grand Production Prize in 2006.
Held December 22, the opening ceremony for the Kokura facility’s new ladle furnace, new RH degasser and new continuous was attended by approximately 60 people including the Chief Executive of Industry and Economics Bureau of Kitakyushu City, representatives of construction-related companies, labor union representatives, representatives of affiliates, and the President and other Directors of Sumitomo Metals (Kokura)
