Vacuum pumps are core equipment in the steel industry, ensuring the production of high-quality steel and improving process efficiency. Their main applications are as follows:
Ladle Refining
In secondary refining processes such as RH and VD, high-power steam ejector pumps or mechanical vacuum pump sets are used to rapidly evacuate the steel treatment vessel. Their core function is to deeply remove harmful gases such as hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen from the molten steel under extremely low pressure, while simultaneously achieving decarburization, desulfurization, and removal of inclusions. This significantly improves the purity of the molten steel and is a key step in the production of high-value steel products such as automotive steel, silicon steel, and bearing steel.
Vacuum Casting and Continuous Casting
In the production of special steels and alloy steels, vacuum casting or vacuum continuous casting processes are employed. Vacuum pumps are used to remove air from the mold cavity or crystallizer during the pouring process, preventing secondary oxidation of the molten steel and the formation of pores. This not only improves the surface and internal quality of the cast billet but also increases the yield of alloying elements, especially suitable for the production of highly reactive metals and superalloys.
Vacuum Treatment Auxiliary Systems
Providing support for various vacuum treatment equipment, such as vacuum furnace evacuation, vacuum drying, vacuum impregnation, and vacuum conveying. In rolling processes, they are also used in vacuum descaling systems to assist in removing iron oxide scale from the steel surface through instantaneous negative pressure, improving surface quality and reducing water consumption.
Off-gas Recovery and Environmental Protection
Used in converter gas recovery systems. In the later stages of converter smelting, vacuum pumps are used to draw the carbon monoxide-rich converter gas into a gas storage tank. After purification, it is used as an important secondary energy source for power generation or heating, achieving the dual benefits of energy recovery and reduced carbon emissions.
Auxiliary and Special Applications
Covering multiple aspects: providing vacuum negative pressure for hydraulic systems, sample preparation and analysis in laboratories, maintaining a protective atmosphere in process sections of continuous annealing and galvanizing production lines, and for vacuum cleaning systems for dust and fumes, ensuring clean production and equipment maintenance.