Zinc consumption optimization at Lusosider
The production of coated products represents a serious challenge for steelmakers when it comes to achieving highest quality and productivity and optimizing operational cost performance.
Lusosider wants to decrease the zinc consumption of its continuous galvanizing line with a capacity of 275,000 tonnes per year.
Improved coating performance
The project includes the installation of an air-knife model based on a performance contract. This digital solution developed by the Steel Digital Factory at Fives fully automates the adjustment of wiping process conditions, optimizes zinc consumption and enhances surface quality. The digital model is able to control the wiping parameters during transitions and steadily adjust coating weight to limit overcoating and zinc consumption.
“Lusosider plans to install an effective solution that will optimize the operation of the equipment in the zinc pot zone during transitional periods. This solution will significantly reduce zinc consumption and prevent quality issues,” says Rui Gonçalves, Maintenance & Investments Manager at Lusosider Aços Planos.
“The air-knife model is based on our metallurgical know-how and process expertise. This solution can be adapted to any strip processing line thanks to its plug-and-play system and can also be integrated with other digital systems to optimize the line's overall performance,” says Maxime Monnoyer, Product Line Leader at the Steel Digital Factory, Fives.
The line has already been modernized by Fives in recent years to increase operational safety and facilitate maintenance. This latest project will improve the overall performance of Lusosider’s line by enabling automated zinc control and reducing production costs.