Temperature and sample-taking manipulator systems at steel plant
LONDON – Primetals Technologies has installed two semi-automatic horizontal temperature and sample-taking manipulator systems at the two BOF converters at the steel plant of Dillinger Hütte (AG der Dillinger Hüttenwerke) in Germany. Previously, temperature measurement and sample taking at the two 190-ton-converters were conducted manually.
With the new systems, measurement and sample taking processes can take place while the doghouse doors are closed via a newly installed fully automated opening/closing flap. It is also possible to simultaneously measure temperature and take samples within one measurement step.
The position of the sampling/measurement process in the converter is highly reproducible at maximum charging weight of approximately 210 tons and minimum charging weight of approximately 150 tons, within the converter tipping angles from 83° up to 95°.
The measuring lance may be exchanged in less than 10 minutes by two employees during normal converter operation. The exchange of the complete manipulator system at the doghouse door, including disassembly and assembly, mechanics, electrics and media can be performed within one shift (under 9 hours) by quick changing devices and connections.
The residence time of the measuring lance inside the converter is minimized to below 25 seconds, including time for measuring itself, to minimize the heat load of the lance and maximizing its lifetime. The existing doghouse doors remained fully functional after manipulator installation.
Erection and commissioning were carried out during normal converter maintenance and operation. Erection works were finished within 4 days, cold commissioning was finished within 2 days, hot commissioning was finished within 3 days.
