Successful hot testing has been carried out on a new, intelligent and green ladle furnace at Laiwu Steel in China’s Shandong Province.

The ladle furnace, at a 120-tonne BOF, is a technically-advanced core piece which further transforms the quality and cost-effectiveness of Laiwu’s steelmaking.

It features CISDI’s DMIAC digital, intelligent electrode regulation system, which is showcasing China’s leading indicators for energy conservation, environmental protection, operational intelligence and efficiency.

One-touch refining - by remote operation from an integrated, centralised control centre - has been achieved for Laiwu’s ladle furnace. This is a first in China.

Thanks to the internet of things, cloud computing and other digital means, the number of onsite operations staff has been greatly reduced, making a substantial saving on labour costs.

All process data is collected and saved - from production to equipment, energy, quality, cost and safety. The data will be valuable in the future, when Laiwu transforms to a digital plant.

CISDI’s project management, design, construction and equipment manufacturing specialists pooled their strengths to deliver high-end planning, high-standard construction and highly-efficient implementation in the face of a volatile climate and issues caused by the pandemic and the market. 

Commissioning of LF2 at Laiwu Steel