BOS/BOF Skirt Closure Support & Heat Shield Modifications

Location:

BHP Steel (now BlueScope), Port Kembla Works

Client Prerequisites:

Increase the service life of the skirt structure and skirt closure arrangement

The Project:

Wilbartec developed design modifications in order to increase the service life of the skirt structure and skirt closure arrangement.

• The modified skirt cooling pipe arrangement was designed & fabricated with substantially lower fabrication costs than the previous design.

• The newly designed skirt closure attachment lasted more than twice the number of heats than the original design. In addition, the modifications to the heat shields, reduced repair requirements and maintenance costs.

Outcomes:

Utilising the design modifications provided by Wilbartec, allowed BlueScope Steel to achieve cost reductions in parts manufacture and in ongoing maintenance. In addition, significant environmental advantage was gained from the new design with cleaner off-gas collection during the oxygen blowing process.