Gimbal Top, the new top-charging system from Siemens, will be installed in a blast furnace for the first time. An order was placed with Metals Technologies (MT), a division of the Siemens Group Industrial Solutions and Services (I&S), by the Indian steel producer Tata Steel. The project is part of the scheduled re-build of Tata Steel's 'C' Blast Furnace at Jamshedpur in Jharkhand province, India. The scope of the contract also includes material hopper, valves and the associated Level 1 automation control for the furnace top.
The new Gimbal Top charging system utilises a conical distribution chute which is supported by rings in a gimbal arrangement. This tilting chute is driven by hydraulic cylinders, operating through shafts, connecting rods and universal joints in order to drive the gimbal rings. Independent or combined operation of the cylinders enables the chute axis to be directed to any angle and along any desired path. This allows a precise material distribution to be achieved with the potential for an infinite number of charging patterns at varying speeds. Control of the distribution chute is by means of a proprietary control and feedback system which is fully integrated in the overall blast furnace charging software.
New Gimbal Top blast furnace top-charging system from Siemens
This simple and rugged design, proven in high temperature and pressure operations, is ideally suited for the blast furnace. Unlike other market alternatives, it provides total flexibility in material distribution, enabling customers to make significant cost savings and benefit from improvements in blast furnace operation and maintenance.
The gimbal technology proven in the arduous environment of Corex, Finex and direct-reduction plants, is now to be installed in a blast furnace for the first time. Geoff Wingrove, director for Iron & Steel at Siemens said: "We are delighted that Tata Steel has become the first steel producer in the world to invest in the very latest furnace charging technology. The award of this contract marks a significant milestone in the development of our blast furnace technology portfolio."
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