Iron and steel production

Iron is the most used metal in the world. One of the most important derivatives of iron is steel. Without steel, there would be no automobiles as we know them today and no raw materials for consumer goods such as telephones, either. The most cost-effective way to manufacture steel is to produce it in an integrated smelting works. Thanks to new iron and steel production methods, the prospect of manufacturing green steel is in sight.

Drive technology for the steel industryT

Raw material handling and distribution to blast furnaces
Filling the steel converter
Handling steel scrap
Filling the electric arc furnace
Material transport using torpedo cars and slag cars.
Material transport using ladle cars

Raw material handling and distribution to blast furnaces

The heart of a steelworks never stops beating. Working continuously, year after year, a large blast furnace will produce over five million metric tons of raw iron yearly. To feed the furnace, huge volumes of materials need to be moved from A to B day in, day out. Lump ore, pellets, sinter, coke, and other essential raw materials are conveyed in batches to the blast furnace by a belt conveyor or an inclined elevator with winch. The supply of raw materials must not be interrupted and conveyor systems must operate perfectly. Drives from SEW-EURODRIVE run continuously at full output, and are the number one choice when system availability really matters.

Filling the steel converter

A steel converter is filled with steel scrap and molten iron from the blast furnace. Adding oxygen to this mix reduces its carbon content, ultimately turning the iron into steel. The whole process takes around half an hour. Unplanned system downtime during this crucial process step would be an absolute nightmare for any plant operator, but you can avoid that very risk by using drive technology from SEW-EURODRIVE.

Handling steel scrap

In the circular economy, steel scrap is broken down and sorted, before then being transported to steelworks by ship, train, or truck for further processing. The steel scrap is handled using huge magnets or, in the case of smaller pieces, crane grabs.

Filling the electric arc furnace

Electric arc furnaces are used in small or particularly energy-efficient, or green steelworks. They are filled with steel scrap and fitted out with electrodes. An electric current is passed through the steel scrap and melts the mass. The furnace is tilted so the molten steel can flow into a ladle car.

Material transport using torpedo cars and slag cars.

Ladle cars and torpedo cars are used to transport either molten iron or molten steel to further processing steps.

It is particularly important that the drives on these cars facilitate a reliable tilting motion when the cars are being emptied and ensure they run smoothly when operating with heavy loads.

Material transport using ladle cars

The molten steel from the converter or electric arc furnace is moved from A to B in a ladle car.

The steel will pass through several process steps in the steelworks as part of secondary and tertiary metallurgy. One well-known treatment is vacuum degassing to remove unwanted gases from the steel.

Teamwork –machine builders and SEW-EURODRIVE

Machine availability is the top priority. We offer you:

Robust and durable solutions that ensure production runs smoothly, day after day

The best delivery reliability on the market, preventing any delays to your planned maintenance activities

Service life analyses for your existing drives (including third-party products)

Solutions for replacing or modernizing existing drive systems, including capacity expansion upon request

Damage diagnoses

Customized training for your staff

Systematic overview of all existing drives at your works, with recommendations for repair and replacement. We continually update this overview and make it available online.

Suggestions for optimizing your current maintenance strategy – SEW-EURODRIVE delivers high-quality replacement drives and spare parts at short notice, whenever you need them. SEW-EURODRIVE is your partner for gear unit maintenance (including third-party products).