Chinese Handan Iron & Steel Group Co. has placed an order with Siemens Metals Technologies to modernise the process automation system of the hot rolling mill at its Handan factory. The core items of the new process automation are a profile and flatness control system to enable improved product tolerances, as well as the Microstructure Target Cooling solution package for precise and reliable cooling of hot strip for production of modern materials such as multi-phase or special deep drawn steels. Modernisation is scheduled for completion at the start of 2016.
Handan Iron & Steel Group Co. is part of Hebei Iron & Steel Group Co. and recorded a steel production of over 45Mt in 2013. The hot rolling mill, outfitted by Siemens with electrical and automation technology in 2000, produces hot strip with a width of up to 1,680mm and produces 2.5Mt every year.
Siemens is modernising the process automation system, supplying hardware and software and handling project planning, programming and commissioning. The new profile and flatness control will replace a third-party system. To avoid unnecessary plant downtimes and the resulting production shortfalls, the new hardware and software will be installed in parallel with existing systems, initially run in the so-called ‘shadow mode’ and finally switched over to productive operation with the aid of a switch-over unit.
