Steel Mills
AK Steel Ashland Works Furnace Shutdown
Written by Sandy Williams
July 31, 2014
AK Steel has shut down the blast furnace at Ashland Works for the second time this year. A “hearth chill” incident occurred last week (described as excess water in the furnace) according to AK Steel officials during the company’s earnings conference call Wednesday, and further maintenance was anticipated.
In an email to SMU, Mike Wallner, General Manager, Communications and Public Relations wrote:
“AK Steel recently experienced an unplanned stoppage at its Ashland Works (KY) blast furnace. The company is working to remedy the situation and minimize any potential impact on its customers.”
If the outage is because of a hearth chill it could be a serious problem for AK Steel. A research article by Ron van Oudenallen, Egenolf van Stein Callenfels, et al., describes a hearth chill as follows:
“A chilled blast furnace is one of the most serious disruptions in an integrated steel plant, as it might take weeks to bring the furnace back to normal production. During a hearth chill, liquids cannot be tapped since the temperature in the lower part of the furnace has become too low. The connection between the taphole and tuyeres has been lost, primarily owing to solidification of slag. This solidified slag obstructs the flow of liquids into the hearth. If a chill is very severe, the remaining hot metal in the hearth may start solidifying as well. Blast Furnace chills can be minor (connection lost, but sufficient heat in the hearth) to very severe (connection lost and all hearth contents solidified).”
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Mills
Nippon won’t import slabs to US if U.S. Steel deal goes through
Nippon Steel has affirmed that if its $14.9-billion bid for U.S. Steel proves successful, the Japanese steelmaker will not import overseas-produced slabs to the US.
AISI: Raw steel production falls to 5-week low
Domestic raw steel mill production slipped to a five-week low last week, according to the latest figures released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Weekly production is now at the third-lowest level recorded this year.
Nucor maintains HR price at $750/ton
Nucor’s weekly consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled (HR) coil was unchanged week on week (w/w) at $750 per short ton (st) on Monday, Nov. 18.
Mexican court orders sale of officially bankrupt AHMSA
After failing to reach agreements with its creditors, Altos Hornos de México (AHMSA) has been formally declared bankrupt by a Mexican bankruptcy court.
AISI: Raw steel production edges back up
Domestic raw steel production recovered last week, after slipping the week prior, according to the latest American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data. Weekly production remains at some of the lowest levels recorded this year.