New process automation for modern steel grades

Strip cooling model from Siemens to be utilized in hot-strip rolling mill of ThyssenKrupp

Erlangen, Aug 16, 2006, The Siemens Industrial Solutions and Services (I&S) Group is to equip hot-strip rolling mill No. II of ThyssenKrupp Steel AG in Duisburg-Beeckerwerth with a new process and basic automation. The heart of the automation solution is a strip cooling model enabling precise control of the phase transitions during cooling of hot-rolled strip steel. This facilitates the reliable and efficient production of modern steel grades. Delivery, installation and commissioning of the new automation system are scheduled for July 2007.

ThyssenKrupp Steel is the leading steel-making company of the ThyssenKrupp Group. With an annual production of 17 million metric tons of crude steel and around 49,000 employees at 94 locations, it is one of the leading flat-steel producers in the world. The hot strip mill No. II in Duisburg-Beeckerwerth is one of the most productive worldwide, producing 5.4 million metric tons a year. Thanks to continuous modernizations, this ThyssenKrupp plant manufactures a large number of modern high-quality steel grades for applications in the automotive industry and for pipe production as well.

As part of this modernization strategy, Siemens is supplying new process and basic automation systems for the laminar cooling section of the hot strip mill. The heart of the automation solution is a strip cooling model which is based on a physical description of the thermodynamic processes during cooling. The temperature curves and phase components along the whole strip are calculated in real time. The current data are passed on to a cooling-section “model-predicted” control system. The strip cooling process can thus be controlled along the line and not only the coiler temperature as is the case with other methods. For its entire range of products, the rolling mill operator is thus able to keep a comprehensive control of the microstructure changes caused by phase transformation during the cooling process. This not only guarantees a constant level of quality over the whole strip; the required metallurgical properties of the steel can also be achieved reliably within close tolerances. Moreover, the strip cooling model increases the flexibility of the rolling mill: it is possible to switch over production between different types of steel whenever the situation demands and new of steel grades can be included in production without altering software or model parameters.

The new automation solution will be installed without any interruption of ongoing plant operations and - initially only in standby mode - will be run in order to test the interfaces and pre-adapt the process models. The final commissioning procedure will be carried out without any interference in the production process. The systems, components and process models used are parts of the Siroll HM automation concept for hot rolling mills.

The Siemens Industrial Solutions and Services Group (I&S) is the integrator of systems and solutions for industrial and infrastructure facilities and global service provider for the plant and projects business covering planning, installation, operation and the entire life cycle. I&S uses its own products and systems and process technologies in order to enhance productivity and improve competitiveness of companies in the sectors of metallurgy, water treatment, pulp and paper, oil and gas, marine engineering, open-cast mining, airport logistics, postal automation, intelligent traffic systems and industrial services. In fiscal 2005 (to September 30) I&S employed a total of 31,700 people worldwide and achieved total sales of EUR 5.390 billion.

Reference number: I&S 0806.5551 e

Contact Information

Dr. Rainer Schulze

Siemens Industrial Solutions and Services (I&S) Group

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