Melting, Refining and Continuous Casting of Steel

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the module you will be able to:

1. Steelmaking

1.1. Explain and evaluate the operation of current steel making and refining processes and technology.

1.2. Devise and rate various combinations of steel refining processes to enable the flexible manufacture of steel to a given specification.

1.3. Compare and judge the effect of raw materials choices on the refining process costs and capacity to attain output specification.

1.4. Assess and interpret the outcome of current steel refining processes and propose changes which will enable desired technical and financial results to be attained.

2. Continuous Casting

2.1. By reference to the various engineering and technological solutions available, explain and evaluate the operation of the key functional units which comprise a continuous casting machine.

2.2. Explain the key parameters used in the control and operation of the continuous casting process and evaluate how these interact.

2.3. Explain the evolution of the solidification of steel, with reference to casting process parameters and compositions of steel.

2.4 By interpreting metallurgical data, select from a number of complex inter-related causes, the most probable cause, of common defects found in continuously cast steel.

INDICATIVE MODULE CONTENT / TOPICS

The module topics will include:

• Products of the modern steel industry - customer expectations and process capabilities.
• Chemistry of steel refining - its influence on the choice and development of steel refining technologies.
• Primary electric arc and basic oxygen steelmaking and secondary steel making processes and technology.
• Metallurgy of the solidification of steel.
• Design and operation of continuous casting machines.
• Defects and cast product quality.
• Economic factors influencing the choice of raw materials and processes for the reefing and casting of steel.
• Refractory materials for steel refining and continuous casting.

Start time: 8.30 am each day.
Finish: 6.30 pm each day.

MODULE AIMS

• To describe the current techniques used for the making, refining and continuous casting of steels, for use in a diverse range of applications.
• To give an understanding of the refining process metallurgy and how to apply this to the selection of combinations of refining processes best suited to the production of steel to a given specification.
• To give an understanding of the metallurgy of the solidification process and how this influences the choice of design and operation of a continuous casting machine for steel.
• To enable the exploration and development of an understanding of the economic factors which influence the process and operational choices made with respect to steel making, refining and casting processes.