Recent improvements in Arcelor steel ladles through optimization of refractory materials, steel shell and service conditions

Abstract

Capacity of the ladles is in way to be increased in several steelplants for flat carbon steel products (Dunkirk, Florange). The new steel ladles have been designed, taking into account several key points: the stiffness and the service temperature of the steel shell, which is controlled by the geometry of shell reinforcements and by the efficiency of the thermal insulation layer; the stiffness of the lip-rings, which can be greatly improved by using steel plates protected by refractory concrete; the wear of the slag line in MgO-C bricks, which can limit the ladle campaign if vacuum tank degassing process is used for ULC steels production. Slag control is required. Numerous trials are also in way to limit the wear of the bottom impact zone of the steel ladle, including pre-shaped alumina-spinel cast bottom, in Arcelor Dunkirk.