Steel / Metals

Applications of Liquid Ring Pump/compressor in the Steel/Metal Industry

Liquid ring pumps are commonly used in the steel/metal industry for various applications, such as vacuum distillation, dust and fume extraction, water recirculation, degassing, material transfer, drum filtration process, sulfur recovery, gas compression, and wastewater treatment.

One of the primary uses of liquid ring pumps in the steel industry is for vacuum distillation. Vacuum distillation is a process in which impurities are removed from molten steel by exposing it to a vacuum, which lowers the boiling point of the impurities and causes them to evaporate. Liquid ring pumps are used to create the vacuum required for this process.

Moreover, liquid ring pumps are also used for dust and fume extraction. The steel-making process is energy intensive and creates a lot of dust and fumes, resulting in an unhealthy environment for humans. Liquid ring pumps help maintain safe and healthy environments.

Besides, liquid ring pumps are also used to recirculate cooling water in the steel-making process to maintain consistent, workable temperatures and prevent overheating.

Furthermore, liquid ring pumps are used in pickling plants to recover sulfur dioxide into sulphuric acid, and the sealant water provides an excellent medium to aid the conversion process.

Another common use of liquid ring pumps in the steel industry is for degassing. In the steel-making process, gases can become trapped in the molten steel, weakening the steel’s structure and causing defects. Liquid ring pumps remove these gases by creating a vacuum in the steel melt.

Further, liquid ring pumps can transfer molten metal from one location to another within the production facility. The pump creates a vacuum that pulls the molten metal through a pipeline, transporting it to a different part of the production process.

Additionally, liquid ring pumps form the heart of the drum filtration process. Drum filters are used in various parts of the integrated steel-making process for drying cakes of multiple ingredients in steel making process. The primary benefits of liquid ring pumps over other designs are robust capabilities of handling vast amounts of water and providing a consistent vacuum to aid the drying process.

An equally important application of liquid ring compressors is compressing gases such as nitrogen and argon. Nitrogen is essential for the annealing process of metalworking. Nitrogen annealing consists of reducing metal hardness and increasing ductility through heat treatment. When it comes to using argon in the steel-making process, it is used in conjunction with oxygen in an argon oxygen decarburization (AOD) process. This process takes place after the metals are melted down into liquid form.

Finally, liquid ring pumps are also used for wastewater treatment in the steel industry. The steel-making process generates significant wastewater containing various contaminants, including heavy metals and organic compounds. Liquid ring pumps can create a vacuum in the wastewater treatment system, which helps remove the contaminants and purify the water.

In summary, liquid ring pumps play a critical role in the steel industry, providing the vacuum required for various processes, including vacuum distillation, dust and fume extraction, water recirculation, sulfur recovery, degassing, material transfer, drum filtration process, gas compression, and wastewater treatment.

Our NL/NBE/904/SC series of Liquid ring pumps/compressors are suited for all these applications.