Cold rolled non-oriented (CRNO) silicon steel production at Rourkela Steel Plant, SAIL

Rourkela Steel Plant is the largest producer of cold rolled non-oriented (CRNO) steels in India. Control of steelmaking, casting and rolling are critical to achieve the necessary product magnetic properties, particularly core loss. This paper describes the basics of Si steel and its production route, then describes the efforts made during the primary and secondary steelmaking phases of production to improve and optimise practices. The addition pattern for the fluxes and blowing profile has been modified for improved BOF slag formation. Secondary refining practice was redesigned to improve de-oxidation, de-sulphurisation, and steel cleanliness was improved by optimising the characteristics of ladle top slag.