Second 400-ton converter successfully revamped by SMS Siemag at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe in Duisburg-Bruckhausen

The 400-ton converter at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG, Germany, in the Duisburg-Bruckhausen works went into production immediately after the successful revamp by SMS Siemag Germany, in July 2014.

“We would like to thank all parties involved for their performance and commitment. The project is a very good example of the fact that precise agreements, an open attitude towards one another, good communication and close cooperation between the subsuppliers, our specialist departments and the Oxygen Steelworks I have paid off.” Tim Moscheik, Project Manager of the converters revamp, ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe in Duisburg-Bruckhausen.

The new converter vessel is one of the largest of its kind worldwide. The design developed by SMS Siemag has enabled the construction of a much larger converter vessel: With an unchanged quantity of up to 400 tons of material charged, the internal volume of the converter has been increased by 24 percent. Thanks to the lamella suspension system developed by SMS Siemag, the existing mounting space can now be used more efficiently. The lamella suspension comprises a maintenance-free converter suspension for arranging the converter vessel in the trunnion ring without restraint.

The additional volumetric capacity enables a more environment-friendly process control and a more efficient energy recovery. This expansion will be done for reasons inherent to the production process and it is not associated with increasing volumes (keyword: Overcapacities).

“Converter I, which has been on stream again for almost one year, delivers good results and fulfils our high-level requirements. For Converter II, we have already awarded acceptance after a 14 days period. We are very satisfied.” Wolfgang Schulte, Senior Engineer of the Plant development department, ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe.

SMS Siemag supplied the converter, the supporting ring, the vessel fastening with its patented lamella suspension system of the latest generation, the trunnion bearings and the bearing supports. The solution developed by SMS Siemag makes it possible to retain and continue to use the existing converter tilt drive. SMS Siemag has also been responsible for the dismantling of the existing converter plant, the installation of the plant components as well as the erection of a new converter platform. The revamp has been carried out by the ThyssenKrupp MillServices & Systems GmbH, Duisburg, Germany.

The SMS Siemag team has even succeeded in falling below the downtime of 44 days by more than 36 hours.

In September 2013, the first of the two revamped converters was successfully put into operation.

Since 1969, the two converters in the Oxygen Steelworks I have formed the basis for steelmaking in Duisburg-Bruckhausen. The second converter has now been revamped after more than 44 years of continuous operation, i.e. approx. 211,000 heats, corresponding to the making of around 80 million tons of steel.

The project teams of TKSE and SMS Siemag after the successful revamp of the 400-ton-converter at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe

Based on SMS Group information