Siemens Metals Technologies modernised and put into operation a single-strand continuous caster at Pohang Iron and Steel Co. (Posco) in Pohang, Korea, for production of stainless steel slabs.
Siemens originally supplied the SSC 2 continuous caster to the Pohang factory in 1996 and first modernised it in 2003. The latest modernisation project covered a replacement of the entire casting plant starting from the tundish car up to the slab discharge area. The original concept of a bow-type continuous casting machine with a straight mould, continuous bending and unbending, a machine radius of 8m and a metallurgical length of around 20m remained unchanged. Siemens was responsible for the project management, the engineering for mechanics, fluid systems, electrics and automation, as well as the supply of mechanical key equipment, fluid systems, electrics, automation and new technology packages. Siemens also provided manufacturing supervision and site services for installation and commissioning.
Photo courtesy of Siemens AG
Newly implemented technology packages include DynaWidth for the on-line adjustment of the slab width, the DynaFlex mould oscillator and the LevCon mould level control with anti-bulging compensation. Strand treatment is done with DynaGap Soft Reduction and the Dynacs 3D cooling model, including DynaJet spray nozzles. The caster produces slabs with thicknesses from140mm up to 200mm and widths between 1,000mm and 1,850mm. Casting speed is up to 1.4m per minute.
