Sheqing LD Converter Lining to Sustainability – A Case Study

Abstract

Steel production is a vital activity for any developing economy as it both steels and steals the economy. Indian steel makers have undoubtedly reported a cost advantage [Interview with J. J. Irani, CEO of Tata Steel (Tisco) by Christabelle Noronhal. March 2001.], with TISCO figuring as the cheapest steel producer in the world. But such levels cannot be achieved without due cognizance to quality.The quality initiatives have been applied here to the case of LD (Linz-Donawitz) converter for steel making. It is believed that all Safety, Health, Environment, and Quality factors can be improved along with productivity, production rate (governing delivery), and cost of operations. The present work shares the quality improvement experiences gained through streamlining of technical operators/parameters in LD steel making.The productivity gains however are of no advantage until the environmental performance and the safety standards are equally improved. This paper builds a holistic appraisal of the Indian steel industry w.r.t. meeting of such requirements together with cost. The Safety, Health, Environment, and Quality considerations are thus critically analyzed.This paper builds up a case for improvement in the steel industry through the SHEQ-PDCM (Safety, Health, Environment, and Quality-Productivity, Cost, Delivery and People Motivation) paradigm. Part II of the series is planned to concentrate on innovation for improvement of PDCM.

Keywords: SHEQ-PDCM (safety, health, environment, quality, productivity, delivery, cost and motivation), sustainability, lining life, opening temperature, lance height, reblows