Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) of Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) has set yet another national benchmark in techno-economics of steel production, with Convertor ÔÇÿCÔÇÖ in its Steel Melting Shop-II recording 12,325 heats in lining life before it was taken down for re-lining this evening. With this, BSP has broken its own previous national record for top-blown convertors of 11,036 heats achieved by Convertor ÔÇÿBÔÇÖ. BSPÔÇÖs Convertor Shop in SMS-II produces crude steel for the Continuous Casting Shop to further produce cast blooms for the Rail & Structural Mill and cast slabs for the Plate Mill.
Converter ÔÇÿCÔÇÖ has been in operation with the same set of refractory brick lining on the inside since 23.4.09. The total volume of crude steel produced so far by the convertor is around 1.49 million tonnes. The magnesium-carbon bricks that are used inside the convertor vessel for lining of the entire surface area remaining in direct contact with liquid hot metal, are produced inhouse at BSPÔÇÖs Refractory Materials Plant-II. The job of relining is also done inhouse.
The record lining life achieved is indicative of the commitment levels of the collective of SMS-IIÔÇÖs Convertor Shop, including the Operations and Maintenance sections which have been taking all steps to ensure that correct operating practices are followed and all equipment are kept in proper shape to sustain such a long campaign life. The record lining life is also indicative of the quality of bricks being produced inhouse and the skill levels of personnel involved in relining.
BSP recorded its highest-ever average convertor life of 7,882 heats in 2009-10, surpassing the previous best figures of 6,428 heats in 2008-09 and 6,068 heats in 2007-08. The average convertor life in Bhilai is the best in SAIL.
In a congratulatory message, BSP Managing Director Mr. V.K. Arora reiterated that the achievement is a reflection of the technological and operational discipline and maintenance practices in the plant. It is also a significant achievement with regard to cost control measures in an integrated steel plant, he added, urging the SMS-II collective to take adequate measures for prolonging the next campaign of Convertor ÔÇÿCÔÇÖ.