Impact of Raw Material Quality on the Performance of LD Shops

The performance of LD steelmaking cannot be considered for judgement in isolation from the performance of the major units supplying the raw materials to the LD shops. For better control of LD steel-making, a systems approach should be adopted where the impact of all the inputs to LD converters is taken into consideration to attain the des-ired outputs. For scrap shortage situation as in India, quality of hot metal becomes a vital factor to improve the performance of LD shops. At the Rourkela Steel Plant, it is found that the annual steel making capacity by the LD process is directly proportional to the quantity and qual-ity of hot metal produced. Therefore, LD steelmakers in India must appreciate the problems of production of hot metal of consistent quality and quantity to be able to take an overall systems view-point.