JSPL's Raigarh Steel Plant Creates World Record of 42 Heats Through Pioneering Steel Making Process
Jindal Steel and Power Ltd.'s Raigarh Steel Plant created a new world record with 42 heats in its Steel Melting Shop's New Oxygen Furnace (NOF).
Raigarh, India, November 20, 2015 (Newswire.com) - Jindal Steel and Power Ltd.’s Raigarh Steel Plant created a new world record with 42 heats in its Steel Melting Shop’s New Oxygen Furnace (NOF). This unprecedented steel-making feat of 42 heats in a single day was achieved on 14th November. Earlier Shagun Steel, China held the record with 40 heats in a single day.
In a tryst to augment cost effectiveness in steel making, JSPL developed a new steel making process - New Oxygen Furnace (NOF), wherein steel is made by charging upto 90% of Liquid Hot Metal and using only chemical energy; without the aid of Electrical Energy. This innovative process ensures higher yield and productivity, low capital investment as compared to Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF). It also leads to lower slag generation and zero electrode consumption.
As part of the transition process from Electric Arc Furnace to Zero Electric Power Furnace, JSPL installed a new high end ‘Oxygen Lances’ in the Furnace along with a high precision Tilting Mechanism and Launder for continuous pouring of Liquid Metal into the Furnace. Charging of Liquid Hot Metal from Blast Furnace into New Oxygen Furnace (NOF), was initiated for controlled and efficient steel making process. NOF has the flexibility of converting various charge mix of raw material i.e. from 100% DRI to 90% Hot Metal (Zero Electric Power) into steel efficiently. The Furnace is highly adaptable and can be converted from Zero Power NOF to Normal Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) and vice versa in a short span of less than 24 hours.
The hard work and dedication of the Operations Management Team at (SMS) Raigarh collectively resulted in this accomplishment, thereby setting a new global benchmark in the steel making process. This unique process innovation in steel making – NOF envisages substantial cost savings and the company is currently exploring the possibility of initiating similar modifications in furnaces across plants in Raigarh, Angul and Oman. Naveen Jindal, Chairman JSPL congratulated the team for their innovation & hard work. Ravi Uppal, MD & Group CEO and Pankaj Gautam, Executive Director- Projects & Operations, JSPL Raigarh has given credit of the achievement to the entire team of steel melting shop (SMS).
About Jindal Steel & Power Limited
Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL) is a US$ 3.14 billion business conglomerate, and one of India’s fastest growing and largest integrated steel manufacturers, significantly present in Steel, Power Generation and Infrastructure segments, catering to a large part of India’s domestic energy and infrastructure requirement. Part of the over US$ 18 billion diversified O. P. Jindal Group, JSPL’s business operations span across Asia, Africa and Australia. The company has committed investments exceeding US$ 30 billion in the future and has several business initiatives running simultaneously across continents. Led by Shri. Naveen Jindal, the youngest son of the legendary Shri O.P. Jindal, the company produces economical and efficient steel and power through backward and forward integration. From the widest flat products to a whole range of long products, JSPL today has a product portfolio that caters to markets across the steel value chain. JSPL provides employment opportunities to over 20,000 Indians and anchors a socio-economic eco system for over 50,000 families.