Korean steelmakers Hyundai Steel and POSCO's U.S. joint venture HYUNDAI POSCO Louisiana Steel LLC have contracted Italy's Danieli as their technology partner for a new integrated steel mill in Louisiana. The project is aimed at producing high-quality hot-rolled slabs, mainly from low-carbon, high-value-added automotive steel grades, serving the North American market.
Danieli will supply the main steelmaking equipment
In accordance with the concluded contracts, Danieli will supply two electric arc furnaces with equipment for secondary metallurgy, two machines for casting thick slabs and two furnaces for heating slabs. The direct reduction plant will be supplied by the ENERGIRON® consortium, jointly formed by Tenova and Danieli.
2.5 million tons per year ENERGIRON® direct reduction plant
The ENERGIRON® direct reduction plant, developed by Tenova and Danieli, will be the second plant of its type in the USA. Its nominal annual capacity will be 2.5 million tons of hot and cold direct reduced iron. Using ENERGIRON® Zero Reformer technology, the plant is designed to produce DRI with high metallization and controlled carbon content. Danieli said the plant will be future-ready for hydrogen and will be equipped with carbon capture technology.
The smelter is designed to use flexible scrap and DRI
The smelter will supply a foundry with a capacity of 2.88 million tons per year. It will include two electric arc furnaces equipped with Zerobucket ECS® continuous scrap charging technology, allowing the plant to handle batch mixtures ranging from 100 percent to hot and cold direct reduction. Secondary metallurgy will include two twin ladle furnaces and one dual RH degassing system. The melting shops will also be equipped with a comprehensive material handling system and special fume purification plants.
On the other hand, the two slab casters will use the latest Danieli technology. They are designed to produce conventional thick slabs of quality grades, including low carbon steel. Particular attention was paid to form stability and surface quality, which are key requirements for automotive steel.
Recycling furnaces
