9th ECCC European Continuous Casting Conference – ECCC 2017

In May 2015 the modernized slab caster No. 3 in Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann GmbH (HKM) Duisburg-Huckingen plant in Germany went into operation. The revamp was done by Primetals Technologies Austria, with the targets of enhancing quality and product tolerances of the slabs produced, widening the product portfolio, and improving process stability, availability, and workplace safety. For reaching these goals the latest PT process models had been in use excessively. Additionally the basic and process automation as well as the upgraded safety equipment was renewed completely either. To mention are here that new implemented models and technological packages like DynaPhase, the DynaGap Soft Reduction, Dynacs 3D, LevCon, DynaWidth, and DynaFlex. In combination with the air-mist secondary cooling system, which also had been renewed, the new surface temperature control ensures a continuous production of high-quality slabs. Due to the used process models as well as the new technological packages it was possible to reach the required quality level of the slabs already from the first heats on. This paper describes the course of the project, how the plant structure was modified, redundancies were installed, and the plant’s functionality had been extended. This revamp led to increased availability, extended product portfolio and optimized yield of the produced slabs. Beside the improved process stability and quality level, also occupational health and safety at slab caster No. 3 had been improved. A selection of long term quality improvements and quality optimizations are included in this paper.