Valves play key role in steel production pickling process

The demand for steel is unbroken. The worldwide production of raw steel has increased by approximately 5percent per year over the past 10years. This growth trend is expected to continue at this level until 2015. China has increased its world market demand from approximately 13percent in 1996 to about 34percent today.

The main motors are the building industry, infrastructure measures and ship building which will also grow strongly in other Asian countries. Existing plants are being modernised and expanded and new steel works built to meet this demand.

The materials and process technology for manufacturing high quality steels is complex. The finished semi, section or steel band is produced from iron ore in several steps. In addition to coke, iron ore, alloy metals and various additives such as limestone, gravel and dolomite, large amounts of auxiliary and operating materials are required.

Most importantly, water and steam for heating, cooling, cleaning, rinsing, etc. But chemicals and oils are also required for pickling and other refining processes for example. The recycling and return of these media into the process or their post-treatment for safe disposal are a matter of course today. A modern steel works is a veritable city. Miles and miles of metal and plastic pipeline systems are required to supply and dispose of the different media. For this reason you will also find all sorts of valve types. The process of the pickling plant is described below and the valves used there described in more detail. There may be deviations depending on the plant manufacturer and the process technology implemented.

The raw iron is refined into steel in further process steps. To do this, it is mixed with steel scrap and alloy components and melted again in special furnaces of different types. The liquid steel is drawn from these furnaces in a continuous casting process.
From there it reaches the hot rolling mill directly where it is rolled into steel section or stee