MMK Launches New Technology

6 August 2012 (09:23)

Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works (MMK) launched a new technology for reagent decomposition of used-up lubricating coolants. This innovative technology can be used for decomposition of virtually any kinds of coolants that are used in the rolling facilities, regardless of how resistant these coolants are, what their composition is, and what kind of emulsifying and stabilizing agents are used. The development and the launch of the new technology was carried out at MMK’s Sheet-Rolling Department 5.

MMK explains that the production of high quality cold-rolled products requires the use of lubricating-cooling fluids (a water-based solution of semi-synthetic emulsol). These coolants get contaminated with various inclusions (including those of organic kind) when used, so they lose their technological characteristics in the process. This results in the need for freshly manufactured coolants and for deactivating the used-up fluids.

The development of the new technology comprised some scientific research and lab tests. This was a two-stage process: a research into the possibility of using the new reagents based on the adsorption–flocculation principle and the design of a reconstruction project for the existing used-up emulsion decomposition unit at Sheet-Rolling Department 5. What is more, some special new equipment was installed at the department so that the new technology could be used, namely, a section for loading the reagent and for preparing and measuring out the working fluids with an automated control system and the new systems for the mechanical mixing up of the used-up coolants with the reagents (these were fitted into the reactor tanks). Also, an additional reservoir meant for neutralization and accumulation of clarified water (the end product of the coolants decomposition process) was assembled. The decomposition unit’s capacity comes to 759 cubic meters of used-up coolants a day.


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