ABB has recently won a contract to replace twin DC motors and associated drives with newer AC motor and drive technology on a hot rolling mill at POSCO’s Pohang Works in Korea. Using ABB’s large synchronous motors, AMZ, together with ACS6000 medium voltage AC drives, will help improve process efficiency, accuracy and reliability. The equipment’s precision control will even contribute to reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs while increasing the safety and productivity of the steelmaker’s Roughing Mill 2 rolling mill.
The contract also includes the replacement of three AC motors and gate-turn off thyristor (GTO) drives, used on F1 F2 F3 finishing mills, with AMZ synchronous motors and ACS6000 multidrives. In addition, ABB is supplying low voltage motors and drives, for use on the down coilers. ABB will also deliver ancillary equipment including motor control centers and local operation panels for motor cooling fans together with training, commissioning and installation supervision.
Installation is scheduled for May 2017, with start-up the following month. The new motors will have lower maintenance costs than the existing DC motors, thereby improving the overall reliability of the mill. The new motor will also improve productivity and power reliability for the process.