Usinas Siderúrgicas de Minas Gerais S.A. (Usiminas) has awarded the contract for the replacement of an existing converter at their 9.5 mtpa Ipatinga integrated steelworks to Danieli Corus. This is the seventh converter revamp project for Danieli and the first contract for such a project since the integration of Danieli Linz Technology into Danieli Corus. The converter vessel will be built by subcontractor Usimec, an Usiminas subsidiary, with design, supply and supervision being part of the Danieli Corus scope. The contract was signed on October 26th on the occasion of the 56th anniversary of the start of steel production at the Ipatinga plant.

The new 180 tonne converter will be equipped with the patented suspension system based on a vertical Lamella arrangement in combination with horizontal Daniella elements, an air cooling system for the barrel part of the vessel and water–based cooling for the vessel’s top cone. A Q–TEMP temperature monitoring system and EIC/Automation packages will also be installed as part of this revamp project. The first heat with the new converter is scheduled for early 2020.