HALT facility at the Dortmund Steel Plant of Krupp Hoesch Stahl AG - Design and operating results.

The HALT station went into operation in February 1996, one year after placement of the order. In preparation of the start-up each of the teeming ladles was equipped with a plug arranged centrically in relation to the immersed surface of the bell and with a stirring gas system for the separate operation of 3 stirring plugs. Seven months after start-up, the HALT station attained a capacity utilisation rate equivalent to that of the conventional treatment stations. Good refractory life times have been attained within a short period. Alloying under the bell reduces the aluminium oxidising loss by 0.4 kg/t, The results of heating combined with lime addition are fulfilling expectations. A process route has been developed by which to low levels steel desulphurised can be adjusted to the required low sulphur concentration when heating has led to sulphur pickup. According to cleanness analyses, it is possible to use the HALT station to treat heats destined for high-quality sheet applications.