Siemens VAI Metals Technologies has received an order from Maanshan Iron & Steel Co. Ltd (Masteel) to supply a twin ladle furnace. The secondary metallurgy plant is part of a capacity expansion and is to commence operation in August 2012. Masteel has already operated an almost identically designed ladle furnace from Siemens since 2007.

Computer-animated view of the twin ladle furnace from Siemens for Masteel in Maanshan, China.
The twin-ladle furnace will have a capacity of 300 tons and will be constructed in Masteel's steel plant No. 4 in the city of Maanshan in the Anhui province. Siemens will supply key mechanical and electronic equipment for the works - such as the electrode support arms including the high-current system, the manipulator for temperature measurement and sampling and a high-voltage switchgear.

The scope of the project will also include the basic automation (level 1) hardware and software with the associated process visualization and the process automation (level 2) including optimization functions for efficient operation of the furnace. Automation of the new furnace will be integrated fully into the factory's existing automation system. Plant personnel will, therefore, have at its disposal the user interface that it has been familiar with since Siemens delivered a twin-ladle furnace in 2007.

Masteel is a leading producer of steel in China. The company is controlled by the Anhui provincial government in the south-east of the country and has an annual production capacity of around 16 million tons of steel.