Inductotherm to upgrade Tata Steel converters

After over 40 years of consistent use, Tata Steel UK is upgrading and replacing the 6 x 1.8 MW Radyne Power converters installed at the end of the 1970s.

Reported at the time as being the largest induction heating installation in Europe, the induction generators are an integral part of the steel tube processing site which overall, produces approximately 250kt/yr of thin-walled tube from steel strip for the construction, engineering, and energy market sectors.

As a result of the upgrades, Inductotherm Heating and Welding is offering a turnkey solution of uninstalling their old Radyne converters then installing and commissioning the six new Inductotherm 1.8 MW converters with six off HV main transformers, 12 off induction heating coil assemblies, tubes drivers, water cooling systems and PLC controls. The new installation has a smaller footprint than the induction and gas furnaces it will replace, says Inductotherm, reflecting the development of the technology over time.

After supporting the old Radyne units for over 40 years the upgraded units are aimed to offer Tata Steel a more technically advanced and energy efficient equivalent replacement to ensure continued reliable production and aftermarket support.

For further information, log on to www.inductothermgroup.com

The texturing efficiency generated by MSA technology enables unrivalled accuracy, speed and consistency of surface texture on the roll and ultimately on the strip, says Sarclad, and is the ‘ideal choice’ for steel and aluminium flagship plants looking to increase volume and control of surface-critical strip into applications such as exposed automotive panels.

For further information, log on to www.sarclad.com

Fives, a leading engineering group with broad expertise in steel processing and technology, has designed and delivered thermal sections for a new annealing and pickling line (APL) and two new annealing and coating lines (ACL) for Baowu Steel Group’s Shanghai plant. The lines, designed to produce high quality non-grain oriented (NGO) grades for electric vehicle motors, delivered their first coil between December 2022 and February 2023.

The thermal section includes a horizontal furnace capable of reaching a strip temperature of 1100°C with the AdvanTek® combustion system, as well as technology for furnace atmosphere management, utilizing seal gates and high hydrogen-rich and dew point controlled sections to reach the required steel properties.

“This is a very important project for Fives Group with a privileged partner. The production of silicon steel grades presents a challenge to steelmakers, as it requires advanced technologies to produce high flux density materials with minimal core losses at high working frequencies. Fives has a broad experience in such technologies, as well as process expertise to accompany steelmakers on their road to new markets with new applications”, said Benjamin Michel, chief executive officer of Fives Stein, a subsidiary of Fives, specialising in thermal technologies.

“This global project from the operational point of view has been implemented during challenging times of lockdowns and travel restrictions. Resilience was a determining factor in succeeding to overcome difficulties and produce the first coil on all three lines, respecting the client’s targets and schedule”, added Guillaume Burstert, project manager of Fives Stein in China.

For further information, log on to www.fivesgroup.com