DynStir – Dynamic stirring in secondary metallurgy

Initial situation:

• Stirring is often carried out on the basis of static pre-set parameters, without regard to the changing metallurgical specifications between one heat and the next, and only monitored manually by operators.
• This greatly limits the stability and repeatability of the stirring process as well as the possibility to adapt the process to the varying demands of individual steel heats.
• Unnecessary long stirring is also less energy efficient.

Working topics:

• Develop dynamic stirring policies in secondary steelmaking at different treatment stations (VD, CAS-OB, FT).
• Monitor actual stirring by imaging systems, compare it to ideal treatment according to stirring policies and advise correct stirring accordingly.
• Tailoring the stirring process to the individual need of each treated steel melt, based on metallurgical fundamentals.
• Improve energy efficiency of the ladle stirring processes  while maintaining the cleanness of the final product.

Results:

• Reduced process time, reduced Ar consumption, reduced temperature loss.
• Stable process conditions  by detailed monitoring of stirring processes.