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Hot metal de-sulphurisation is a dip-lance process involving the pneumatic injection of fine-grained de-sulphurisation reagents into the molten metal. For maximum efficiency the particles must be dispersed in the ladle as widely as possible to increase the total interfacial area which is primarily controlled by the lance design. Seven different lance configurations were modelled and simulated to determine the most efficient design using physical and mathematical modelling approach. A 0.25 scale plexi-glass model of the 100 T hot metal ladle was fabricated for the study. Residence time and mixing time studies were carried out using the electrical conductivity measurement technique through stimulus response of injected saturated salt solution. Mathematical modelling approach using momentum balance was used to simulate fluid flow profile of lance-ladle assembly under operating conditions using computational fluid dynamics package ANSYS-CFX. Based on the studies a new curved port lance has been designed which resulted in uniform and swirling flow profile inside the ladle without rotating the lance. Injection through the new lance increased the residence time of the particles and reduced the dead zones. The new design was fabricated and experimented at de-sulphurisation stations and has resulted in reduced flux consumption and treatment time.

Generation of high iron containing wastes such as mill scale, dust and sludge are inevitable in steel making process. It is important to develop and implement processes to recycle and re-use these wastes. An attractive option is to recycle these wastes through BOF steel making process, but is not suitable for handling and efficient operation in available forms. Present work shows the briquetting of steel making wastes using various binders in a pilot scale briquetting machine. In briquetting tests, the effecting parameters have been studied for determining the best combination of binders and operating parameters. A process for briquetting mill scale in optimum combination with CRM dust and BOF dusts using an organic binder has been established. Separate indices were formulated as acceptance criterion for use of mill scale briquettes in BOF service conditions involving dynamic, crushing, abrasive and thermal loads. Subsequently, series of trials were conducted with use of mill scale briquettes as secondary coolant replacing iron ore in 130T LD converter. The present paper compares the effect of mill scale briquettes vis-à-vis iron ore on process parameters in BOF steel making and also highlights its operational advantages.

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Purpose The purpose of the present study is to simulate the industrial hot-dip process of Zn-2.5Wt.%Mg-3 Wt.%Al and Zn-2.5 Wt.%Mg-9 Wt.%Al-0.15 Wt.%Si coatings and to study the effect of low and high Al variation on their microstructure, microhardness, adhesion and corrosion behaviour. Design/methodology/approach The hot-dip Zn-2.5 Mg-xAl coating simulation on steel substrate was carried out using a hot-dip process simulator. The microstructure of the coatings was characterized using a scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The corrosion behaviour of the coatings was studied using a salt spray test in 5% NaCl solution as well as dynamic polarization in 3.5% NaCl solution. Findings Microhardness of the developed Zn-2.5 Mg-xAl coatings has been found to be approximately two times higher than that of the conventional galvanized coating. Zn-2.5 Mg-3Al coating has exhibited two times higher corrosion resistance as compared to that of Zn-2.5 Mg-9Al-0.15Si coating because of formation of more homogeneous and defect-free microstructure of the former. The MgZn2 phase has undergone preferential dissolution and provided Mg2+ ions to form a protective film. Originality/value The relative corrosion resistance of the two Zn–Al–Mg coatings with different Al content has been studied. The defect formed because of higher Al addition in the coating has been detected, and its effect on corrosion behaviour has been analysed.

Cleanliness of steel is a primary requirement for flat products. It is obtained with minimum of defects by controlling the liquid flow characteristics in the mould and fluctuations over the meniscus surface. Liquid flow in the mould region is due to the momentum of the pouring stream which in turn is related to the clogging of submerged entry nozzle and argon flow in the mould. This makes control of liquid steel flow dynamics in the mould important. The mould level fluctuation index, flow fraction or clogging percentage and optimised gas flow models have been developed and are correlated for minimised surface fluctuations throughout the casting sequence. Tundish weight, casting speed, casting section and immersion depth of the nozzle which primarily change the flow profile inside the mould are the key operational variables considered for model calculations. The operational parameters were adjusted to follow the developed models criteria for different casting conditions. Online application of these operational control models contributed to stabilise the mould fluid flow and have helped in decision making for pumping, flushing and tube changing. The present paper describes the mathematical approach adopted in calculation of optimum casting parameters for controlling flow of liquid steel, nozzle clogging and gas injection rate at JSW Steel Ltd. This has resulted in considerable reduction in mould level fluctuations and production of superior quality slabs even at higher casting speeds.

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Converter lining life is an important technical and economic concern of the steelmaking process. An increase in lining life decreases refractory consumption and reduces steelmaking costs. Increased availability of furnaces increases production rates and steel yield. Extended lining life was achieved by utilising the slag as a consumable refractory by splashing it over the lining. Slag splashing is a simple and effective technique followed worldwide to increase the converter life. This paper highlights the online study on various operating parameters and slag characteristics for consistent slag splashing in a 130 t converter. Parameters such as lance height, blow pattern, gas flowrate, bottom purging flowrates, tapping temperature, combination of gunniting with splashing, slag height and slag chemistry, were investigated. An optimised slag has been developed which served effectively to balance the lining erosion during blowing and maintain a uniform thickness throughout the campaign. Some innovative practices and design changes are also discussed. The developed slag regime and optimised parameters have helped in increasing the converter life to an international benchmark. JSW Steel has achieved the converter lining life of 13 771 heats, which is the highest ever recorded in India.