Vacuum Degassing Unit (RH) (Inteco)

Since the introduction of RH (Ruhrstahl Heraeus) degassing technology in the late 50’s, the RH-degassing process became an important operation in modern steel plants. Over the years the RH-process was continuously developed to satisfy the steel producers demand. In the early days of RH-degassing the target was to achieve a low hydrogen level in the liquid steel.

Nowadays the RH-degasser is mainly used for the production of low and ultra-low carbon steel grades as well as hydrogen removal. Due to constantly developing and improving technology, heating of the chamber, chemical heating using oxygen under vacuum conditions, forced decarburization and removal of the skull in the chamber can be carried out simultaneously with oxygen top-lance blowing.

The RH-degassing process has proven its eminent suitability for operations requiring short tap-to-tap times with heat sizes of up to 400t.

The particular features of the RH recirculation degassing process include:

• Favorable degassing conditions due to lift-gas kinetic
• High analysis hitting rate
• Lower temperature losses
• Continuous process sequence during vacuum treatment and alloy addition
• No additional freeboard required
• Reproducible metallurgical results

which has led to the following results:

• Short treatment time
• Improved economy
• Vacuum degassing
• Vacuum deoxidation
• Decarburization to very low levels
• Alloy addition of e.g. large amounts of Silicon for the production of electrical sheets
• Homogenization of the melt
• Alloy trimming

Variations:

• Single or twin operation stand
• RH-vessel fast exchange system
• Vacuum pumps
• Dry mechanical vacuum pumps

USP‘s of INTECO Design:

• The design is completely developed by INTECO
• Variable ladle / vessel lifting systems
• TOP-burner & O2-blowing lance system
• Variable dust separating / cooling system