In the evolving world of steel production, innovations continue to push the boundaries of efficiency, quality, and flexibility. One such groundbreaking innovation is the integration of Danieli QSP-DUE technology at Yukun Iron and Steel. This collaboration has resulted in the establishment of one of the world’s most advanced steel manufacturing plants, offering unmatched flexibility in producing hot-rolled steel strips. The introduction of QSP-DUE technology has transformed Yukun Iron and Steel into a leader in the global steel industry, setting new standards for production speed, quality, and capacity.
The Technology Behind the Breakthrough
The Danieli QSP-DUE technology provides an unprecedented level of flexibility and efficiency in the production of hot-rolled strips. This flexibility is achieved through the incorporation of three distinct operating modes: endless rolling, semi-endless rolling, and coil-to-coil rolling. These modes allow the plant to produce a diverse range of steel grades and thicknesses, ensuring the adaptability required to meet the varying demands of customers across different industries.
1. Endless Rolling: The endless rolling mode ensures continuous production, which is highly efficient and results in a uniform quality of hot-rolled strips. By eliminating the need for breaks between coils, this mode allows the plant to operate at maximum productivity, while also achieving a superior level of surface quality and consistency.
2. Semi-Endless Rolling: This mode allows the plant to seamlessly transition between different production methods, making it possible to adapt the production process depending on specific requirements. Semi-endless rolling ensures greater flexibility, allowing the plant to produce different types of steel with ease, from low-carbon steel to high-strength alloys.
3. Coil-to-Coil Rolling: The coil-to-coil mode is a traditional method used in the steel industry. It involves the production of coils that are then processed and wound onto a spool, making it ideal for meeting specific customer demands, especially in industries where coil steel is required.
With these modes, Yukun Iron and Steel is able to meet the wide-ranging needs of its customers. This includes the production of low-carbon steel, medium-carbon steel, high-strength low-alloy steel, and medium-carbon high-alloyed grades. These materials are crucial for industries like construction, automotive, and machinery manufacturing, among others.
Milestones in Production and Technology
Since the integration of QSP-DUE technology, Yukun Iron and Steel has set a series of new records in both casting and rolling operations. These milestones have redefined what is possible in steel manufacturing:
1. Record-Setting Casting:
Yukun has utilized the DySen caster technology, which is patented by Danieli, to produce 145-mm-thick slabs. This achievement represents a major milestone in casting technology, particularly for funnel moulds, which are known for their challenging and complex design requirements. This breakthrough in casting demonstrates the plant’s ability to work with thick, high-quality steel slabs, which are essential for demanding applications in industries such as construction and shipbuilding.
2. Testing 165-mm-Thick Slab Rolling:
Yukun has also pushed the boundaries of slab rolling by testing the production of 165-mm-thick slabs. While this may not yet be in regular production, it is a clear indicator of the capabilities of the QSP-DUE technology, which can produce even thicker slabs if needed for certain applications.
3. Endless Rolling Success:
One of the most significant milestones is the establishment of endless rolling, a groundbreaking achievement in the industry. Yukun Iron and Steel achieved the ability to roll strips as thin as 0.8 mm within just seven production campaigns. This milestone is particularly impressive given the inherent challenges involved in achieving such precision and quality in steel strips at such a thin gauge.
4. Coil Quality and Surface Finish:
The quality of the coils produced using this technology is nothing short of extraordinary. The coils exhibit excellent surface quality, with precise geometric dimensions and a uniform microstructure that is consistent across large batches. This high level of precision is critical for ensuring that the steel produced meets the stringent requirements of industries like automotive manufacturing, where uniformity and quality are paramount.
5. World-Leading Production Capacity:
With the full implementation of QSP-DUE technology, Yukun Iron and Steel’s plant has achieved an impressive production capacity of over 4.5 million metric tons per year (Mtpy). This makes the plant the highest-capacity direct casting-rolling facility in the world. The advanced capabilities of the plant enable it to produce a vast array of steel grades, making it an invaluable asset for industries worldwide.
Advanced Features of the QSP-DUE Plant
The technological advancements at Yukun Iron and Steel go beyond just the production processes themselves. The plant also incorporates several features that enhance its operational efficiency and overall performance:
1. Danieli Automation:
The plant operates under the control of Danieli Automation, which ensures that the entire process, from casting to rolling, is optimized for maximum efficiency. This automation technology is designed to be highly user-friendly, allowing operators to easily manage production and ensure the highest quality standards are met consistently.
2. Dual Casting Strands:
The QSP-DUE plant operates with two casting strands, which further increases the flexibility and capacity of the plant. By using endless casting-rolling on one strand, the plant can produce a continuous stream of high-quality steel strips, while the other strand can be used for producing different grades or thicknesses as needed.
These advanced features ensure that Yukun Iron and Steel’s operations are efficient, reliable, and capable of producing a wide variety of steel grades to meet global market demands.
Product Range and Applications
The steel produced at Yukun Iron and Steel is diverse in both its composition and its potential applications. The facility’s ability to produce a range of thicknesses and grades means it can serve many industries, including:
• Low-carbon Steel: Ideal for construction, especially in the production of beams, columns, and structural components.
• Medium-carbon Steel: Used in machinery and tools that require a balance of strength and toughness.
• HSLA Steel: High-strength low-alloy steel is used in automotive manufacturing, where lighter weight and high strength are essential.
• High-Alloyed Steel: This grade is critical for specialized industries, including aerospace, oil and gas, and high-performance industrial applications.
By offering such a diverse range of products, Yukun Iron and Steel meets the needs of industries ranging from construction and infrastructure to automotive manufacturing and machinery production.
Key Takeaways
• Danieli QSP-DUE technology enables endless, semi-endless, and coil-to-coil rolling, allowing for a wide range of steel grades and thicknesses.
• Yukun Iron and Steel set casting and rolling records, including the production of 145-mm-thick slabs and testing 165-mm-thick slab rolling.
• Endless rolling has successfully produced 0.8 mm thickness strips within the first seven campaigns, a significant achievement for the industry.
• The QSP-DUE plant has reached a world-leading production capacity of 4.5 million metric tons per year (Mtpy).
• The plant operates with advanced Danieli Automation and dual casting strands, enhancing efficiency and production flexibility.
• Yukun Iron and Steel produces a wide range of products, including low-carbon, medium-carbon, HSLA, and high-alloyed steel.
