ThyssenKrupp modernizes converter plant and waste heat boiler in Duisburg

ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe considers lifting operations to be the main focus of the refurbishment of Converter # 2 and its associated waste heat boiler in the Duisburg Bruckhausen steel plant. At a height of almost 90 meters, a special crane moves the 50-ton boiler segment. The works have been underway since the beginning of June and involve an investment of about 21 million euros. It is interesting that at one time the electrical equipment for this enterprise was produced by Kamyanets-Podolsk Electromechanical Plant in Ukraine.

The updated converter will be one of the largest of its kind in the entire world, with a height of 11 meters and a width of 15 meters. It has a unique platform and bearing system, etc. The total weight of the steel structure is about 600 tons. Thanks to the new construction method, the converter vessel will be considerably wider. With the loading weight unchanged up to 400 tons, the internal volume is increased by almost one fifth. The additional capacity will provide greater process reliability as the steel baths will be at a lower level more often.

Arnd Kofler, head of department at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe, said that "This project will improve energy efficiency and process reliability, which will further improve the quality of our products and ultimately benefit our customers." The first of the two Oxygen steelmaking converters was replaced over a year ago with an investment of around € 20 million.

Around 1,000 specialists work in two sites to ensure a consistent recovery process. At the same time, the adjacent converter works as usual. The main goal of the modernization is considered to ensure health and safety standards, reducing the possibility of steel spills. In addition, due to the increased reaction volume, more oxygen can be introduced into the process.

The waste heat boiler should be located about 20 meters above the converter opening, three of the four boiler segments are removed in the converter shop using the hook of a special 140 meter crawler crane. The cooled gas is cleaned and used as fuel for reheating furnaces in a neighboring hot rolling mill, benefiting energy efficiency and the environment.