Metinvest Group invests in upgrading the equipment of the oxygen shop

The oxygen shop of the Azovstal steel plant of Metinvest Group is undergoing a planned modernization of equipment with an investment of UAH 30 million for the current year.

At the moment, an air separation unit (VRU-60) has been commissioned, the repair of the air compressor is nearing completion, and the specialists are starting to upgrade the nitrogen turbocharger.

The work carried out in June at the VRU-60 air separation unit made it possible to restore the equipment productivity to the passport parameters - 40 thousand cubic meters of high-pressure oxygen and 20 thousand cubic meters of low-pressure oxygen per hour. Now the air separation unit can fully supply oxygen to the converter and blast-furnace shops of the metallurgical plant.

To activate the processes at VRU-60, the booster-compressor, cryogenic pumps and shut-off valves were repaired. Replaced pipelines. We carried out an audit and cleaning of heat exchange equipment. We made an audit of the automation system and electrical equipment.

Such repairs are scheduled, carried out annually. The need to update the air separation unit arises because over time the heat exchange equipment becomes clogged, because of this, the unit's productivity decreases by 5-10 thousand cubic meters of oxygen per hour.

The overhaul of the KTK 12.5 /35 No. 1 nitrogen turbocompressor and the completion of the overhaul of the EK-1500 No. 9 air compressor are also scheduled for July in the oxygen shop.

“We carry out scheduled repairs and modernization of equipment. This allows us to ensure uninterrupted and stable operation of the enterprise, and most importantly, to prevent emergencies and ensure safe working conditions for employees, ”said General Director of the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works Enver Tskitishvili.