A special crane moved a 50-ton boiler segment into a shop building of ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe. The lifting operation was part of the modernization of converter 2 and associated waste-heat boiler system in the Duisburg-Bruckhausen steelmaking plant, one of the biggest in Europe. The modernization work, under way since the beginning of June, involves an investment of around EUR 21M. “This project will improve energy efficiency and increase process reliability”, says Dr Arnd Köfler, head of crude steel at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe. “It will further enhance the quality of our products and ultimately benefit our customers.”
The first of two converters in oxygen steelmaking plant 1 was replaced over a year ago, also at a cost of around EUR 20M. Now it is the turn of converter 2. While production in converter 1 continues, around 1,000 specialists are working on two job sites to ensure a smooth rebuild. “We are removing the old equipment and installing the new while the neighbouring converter operates as normal. Planning and organizing the whole operation, including health and safety measures, has been a huge challenge”, says Dr Köfler.
