ThyssenKrupp Nirosta GmbH has inaugurated a new cold strip line, highly advanced in terms of quality, energy efficiency and environmental compatibility. High-tech components include the regenerative burners in the 60m long annealing furnace. This technology offers up to 30% higher efficiency as the furnace off-gases are directed onto ceramic blocks directly at the 92 burners. The fresh air is also passed over the bricks, heated, and enters the combustion process at a higher temperature. As a result, less natural gas is needed to produce the heat needed in the annealing furnace. ThyssenKrupp Nirosta uses the FLOX® process, which prevents the flames from reaching temperatures of more than 1600-1700 degrees and releasing nitrous oxides. The maximum processing speed is 100m per minute, corresponding to a cycle time of 35 minutes per stainless steel coil. The line produces NIROSTA® cold strip in thickness from 0.2-2mm and widths from 600-1380mm. It produces 80% austenitic and
20% ferritic grades. An air cooling zone ensures excellent flatness even on thin NIROSTA® strip. The line will increase the cold strip capacity by roughly 120,000tpy. The line, which combines annealing, pickling, skin-pass rolling and edge trimming equipment, is extremely compact. The investment totalled EUR 56 million. ThyssenKrupp Nirosta`s partner in the construction of the line was Sundwig GmbH. The electrical equipment was supplied by Alstom GmbH.
