Startup of Arvedi ESP – Real Endless Strip Production from Liquid Steel to Hot-rolled Coil in Seven Minutes

by Günther Holleis, Andreas Jungbauer, Johann Siegl

Publisher - Siemens VAI Metals Technologies GmbH & Co, Linz, Austria

Category - General Novel

The Italian steel producer, Acciaieria Arvedi S.p.A., has placed an order with Siemens VAI for the supply and installation of the world’s first Arvedi ESP - Endless Strip Production – plant in Cremona, Italy. The unique design and plant configuration of this highly compact facility will allow fully continuous casting and, for the first time in the world, endless rolling of high-quality strip in a wide range of steel grades. The thin slab caster converts liquid melt into a solid strand, which is directly fed to the subsequent high-reduction stands followed by an induction furnace and the 5- stand finishing mill, including cooling and coiling facilities. The process automation comprises motor and drive solutions as well as process models which control the machine from the mold to the down coiler. A modern integrated human machine interface provides a complete overview for the operator. In order to fulfil the requirements imposed by endless operation and to reach highest flexibility in the selection of process parameters and correction of deviations, new design solutions and operating practices are integrated into the line. Hot commissioning started in December 2008. The first results will be presented in this paper.

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