Ladle Metallurgy Facility
Where strict chemistry control is achieved and the cleanliness and composition of liquid steel are enhanced.
The LMF-Vacuum Degasser facility consists of a ladle reheat furnace and a vacuum degasser
that allows WCI to produce more sophisticated grades of steel.
Liquid steel from the BOF is tested by a robotic X-ray analyzer that quickly determines the chemical content of the steel. The liquid steel is heated by a three-electrode, 32-Mva heating system that can increase the temperature of the steel by 7 degrees Fahrenheit a minute. The steel chemistry is adjusted and the heat is homogenized and cleaned in the ladle through a computer-controlled system that includes eight alloy bins, wire feeders and argon stirring.
The LMF can work independently and/or in conjunction with the tank-type vacuum degasser. The vacuum degasser is used primarily for the production of ultra-clean, low-gas steels. The degasser creates a vacuum above the liquid steel in the ladle that removes undesirable gases, such as oxygen, nitrogen or hydrogen, from the steel.
The steel is then transported by ladle car to the continuous slab caster.