New ways of designing large refining vessels and steelmaking plants for the LD process

Summary

On the basis of this new stationary multisectional refining vessel, it appears possible to extend tap weights beyond 300 tons without incurring the metallurgical, design, and mechanical difficulties necessarily encountered with tilting vessels and partly impossible to overcome. The use of known equipment and design features of existing steelmaking facilities and furnaces creates the corresponding preconditions for smooth and safe operation. Owing to the location of the refining vessel on the ground floor instead of on an elevated platform, as required for tilting vessels, the construction costs of the aisle are lowered, and the possibility of replacing the bottom section of the refining vessel by a stand-by vessel, without much loss of time, will decrease the overall capital expenditure. It is just like assembling prefabricated machine parts, and that is exactly what results in a number of important advantages.