CISDI has designed and supplied a highly automated, safe and cost-effective continuous caster to Baowu Zhanjiang Steel in China’s Guangdong Province.

The 2-strand 1,650mm slab caster is now running, and is the first hot-commissioned project at Zhanjiang’s flagship Phase II development.

Slab at a specification of 1,600mm x 230mm was selected for hot-commissioning.

A projected annual production capacity of 2.80 million tonnes will enable Zhanjiang’s Meltshop to step closer towards its goal of becoming the world’s largest single producer of slab. On completion, Zhanjiang Meltshop’s targeted annual output is 12.35 million tonnes.

Phase II is being built with blast furnace 3 at its core. All projects are being designed as prime examples of highly efficient, smart manufacturing.

Steel grades produced will include high-strength steel, silicon steel and deep-drawing steel. Slab dimension specifications are 230mm thick, 900mm-1,650mm wide and 8,000-11,000mm long.

To ensure on-schedule, high-quality delivery during the challenges of the pandemic, CISDI conducted Building Information Modelling-based engineering and strict follow-up control of manufacturing processes and onsite control.

CISDI undertook the plant design, package-supplied equipment for the casting platform and the casting finishing equipment, and constructed the meltshop’s centralised control centre.

CISDI’s expertise and equipment has contributed to the slab caster achieving a number of goals.

- The caster has a 520-tonne ladle turret, the largest capacity of its kind in the world

- Casting and slag manipulator positions are operated by robots

- Intelligent casting and online mechanical scarfing systems are operating smoothly

- Efficient, eco-friendly utilities are assisting safe and stable production

- Intelligent equipment, quality and operation controls are proving effective.

Baowu Zhanjiang Steel’s 1,650mm slab caster in operation