Metals Technologies

SIMETAL RCB TempInnovation in steelmaking – contact-free temperature measurement

The contact-free temperature measurement for electrical steelmaking plants is now available. This innovation allows steel temperature to be measured using our supersonic injection technol-ogy. The remarkable advantages of this reliable and accurate measurement technology increase productivity by lowering power-on and power-off time, reduce additional operating costs by eliminating expensive cartridges, and improve operator safety by doing away with difficult and dangerous physical work.

Your challenge:

Optimal steel production depends to a great extent on temperature control – that’s why the precise and reliable measurement of temperature is essential. Typically, manual operations or manipulators are involved in temperature measurement by taking samples with conventional sensors to determine the tapping temperature. However, for efficient process control it is desirable to shorten the time between measurements during power-on before the tapping temperature is reached.

Our solution:

SIMETAL RCB Temp uses a supersonic oxygen injection technology combined with analyzing and control units for contact-free temperature measurement. The units allow the temperature of liquid steel to be measured inside the furnace with doors closed, and offer major advantages over existing technologies. The results are far more accurate, with fewer unstable measurements, and allow monitoring of the steel temperature until the target tapping temperature is reached.

SIMETAL RCB Temp brings you one step closer to fully automatic steelmaking under safe and reliable operating conditions.

And it completely eliminates the need for more cost-intensive cartridges for temperature measurement.

Decades of experience

The development of oxygen injection technologies by Siemens VAI in 1975 laid the foundation for the implementation of the refining combined burner (RCB). Since 1995, as many as 100 furnaces have been equipped with RCB technology, achieving excellent results worldwide.

Based on this background and on the proven technology of the RCB components, the innovative SIMETAL RCB Temp was developed. It represents a further RCB add-on that ushers in a new era of temperature measurement in electrical steelmaking.

RCB Temp operation

SIMETAL RCB Temp consists of a burner with an integrated oxygen lance. The lance injects oxygen with a supersonic laminar jet at a special angle. To protect the central laminar oxygen stream, the burner shrouding function is maintained during the refining process. Switching SIMETAL RCB Temp from lance to tempera-ture mode allows contact-free tempera-ture measurements.

Functions

SIMETAL RCB Temp is characterized by three main functions: burner mode, lance mode, and temperature mode.

1. Burner mode During power-on times, SIMETAL RCB Temp can be used as a burner to preheat the scrap using various power settings depending on the type of scrap and volume of the furnace.

2. Lance mode As soon as the scrap is heated to the point where a reaction occurs between carbon, iron, and oxygen, the system switches to lance mode to provide a supersonic oxygen stream.

3. Temperature mode Temperature measurement begins when a defined level of homogenization of the liquid phase occurs. The system switches

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-A104-V1-7600 Printed in Germany Dispo No.: 21661 K No.: 28103 GB 110488 05111. © Siemens AG 2011. All rights reserved. Subject to change without prior notice.

Advantages of SIMETAL RCB Temp:

� Safety improvements SIMETAL RCB Temp eliminates risks for operators during temperature measurement, as the slag door is closed. No additional space- consuming devices in front of the EAF are needed.

� Increased productivity The right time for tapping can be determined more precisely, and faster temperature measurement results are achieved.

� Profitable investment • Short ROI • Low installation costs • Short implementation time • Can be installed during regular maintenance shutdown

Siemens VAI Metals Technologies GmbH

Reithallenstr. 1 77731 Willstätt-Legelshurst, Germany

Phone: +49 7852 4100 Fax: +49 7852 41141 E-mail: electricsteelmaking.metals@siemens.com

Headquarters:

Siemens VAI Metals Technologies GmbH

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

E-mail: contact.metals@siemens.com

SIMETAL RCB Temp visualization

RCB burner

SIMETAL RCB Modular Injection Panel

RCB Temp lance

Signal transfer

Radiation of liquid steel

Liquid steel

Slag

RCB Temp analyzing unit

RCB Temp control unit

Display

from lance mode to temperature mode and the temperature signal is transmitted.

Temperature measurement process with SIMETAL RCB Temp

The signal is then processed and inten-sified within the analyzing unit. The control unit filters the signal and evalu-ates it based on an algorithm specially developed by Siemens VAI. SIMETAL RCB Temp improves the process efficiency by measuring the temperature of the liquid steel more frequently until the tapping temperature is reached. Temperature measurements can be started manually by operator or in automatic sequences.

Reliable and accurate measurement

Thanks to contact-free measurement, no parts are in motion, so the sensory devices have a longer service life. No scrap damage is possible during scrap basket charging, and inaccurate temperature measurements are reduced.

Cost reduction

Last but not least, SIMETAL RCB Temp is a highly economical solution thanks to the elimination of temperature cartridge costs, the reduction of personnel over-head, and significant energy savings.

Meltdown

Tapping

signal

Super - heating

Power

Conventional temperature measurement with sensors

Time

Temperature measurement with the new SIMETAL RCB Temp reduces power-on time

Meltdown

Tapping

signal

Super - heating

Power

Time