Heating of Big-Size Slabs of Up to 400 Millimeters in Thickness in Cutting-Edge Reheating Furnace at DanSteel

This study describes engineering, technological, and metal engineering features of heating big-size continuous cast low-carbon microalloyed steel slabs of up to 400 × 2800 mm in section at rolling facility 4200 of NLMK DanSteel. The techspecs of the reheat furnace set up in 2022 ensure high-quality heating of high-tonnage slabs used for making big-size high-quality hot-rolled plates of up to 63 tons in weight which are much sought after in marine wind power generation and bridge structure manufacturing. The implemented project ensures increased uniformity of heating the slabs over thickness, width, and length. The average maximal temperature gradients in all of the dimensions do not exceed 30°С. In addition, the project reduces the consumption of natural gas to 31–32 m3/t of finished products.