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Siemens VAI to Build World's Largest Vacuum Decarburization Plant for Tisco
Aug. 13, 2010 Taiyuan Iron & Steel Co. (Tisco) has contracted Siemens VAI Metals Technologies to install a new vacuum decarburization plant at the company’s steel works in Taiyuan, in the Shanxi Province. The plant will be designed as a double system with a capacity of 180 tonnes, which the company says will make it the world's largest plant of its type.
The new double vacuum decarburization plant will be installed in Tisco’s Steel Works No. 2, which came into operation in 2006 and was also constructed by Siemens VAI. To be located directly alongside Ladle Furnace No. 2, the new decarburization plant will feature a special copper ladle cover that will be used for the first time with a vacuum decarburization plant. The special cover is designed to substantially reduce the formation of slag skulls on the upper part of the furnace.
In addition to supplying core components and services, Siemens VAI will also handle plant engineering. The project is being jointly implemented with Siemens China, which will be responsible for the vacuum locks and the basic automation.
The new secondary steelmaking plant, which is part of Tisco's capacity expansion program, is scheduled to come into production in the middle of 2011.
Tisco, one of China's leading steelmakers and the country’s largest high-grade steel producer, is currently expanding its range of special steel grades. In addition to the construction of Tisco’s Steel Works No. 2, Siemens VAI also previously installed hot and cold rolling mills for the steel producer.
The Siemens Industry Sector (Erlangen, Germany) is a leading international supplier of environmentally friendly production, transportation, building and lighting technologies. The Sector comprises six divisions: Building Technologies, Drive Technologies, Industry Automation, Industry Solutions, Mobility und Osram. With around 207,000 employees worldwide (September 30), Siemens Industry achieved in fiscal year 2009 total sales of approximately €35 billion.
The Siemens Industry Solutions Division (Erlangen, Germany) is one of the world's leading solution and service providers for industrial and infrastructure facilities comprising the business activities of Siemens VAI Metals Technologies, Water Technologies and Industrial Technologies. With around 31,000 employees worldwide (September 30), Siemens Industry Solutions posted sales of €6.8 billion in fiscal year 2009.