The gigantic unit with a capacity of 2,500 tons performs technological preparation of hot metal, equalizing the temperature and averaging the chemical composition before its delivery to the converter section and pouring into converters. During the shutdown of the mixer for repair work, steel production in the shop continues – the transfer of hot metal from the ladle cars of the blast furnace shop into the ladle cars of the BOF-shop is carried out directly, bypassing the mixer.  

The main part of the overhaul is the complete replacement of the refractory brickwork of the mixer body, the standard service life of which has finished after the previous overhaul in 2021. Now the old lining has been dismantled, the body has been inspected and prepared for lining work, which has already been started by contractors. In total, it is planned to renew 550 cubic meters of brickwork. 

During the overhaul, key equipment is also restored, repair interventions in which are possible only during the period of a complete long-term shutdown of the unit, in particular, the inspection and repair of the drive mechanism, the mixer oscillation mechanism, the tightening of the bolted fasteners of the lids, etc. These works are carried out by specialists of the metallurgical equipment repair shop of Metinvest Promservice and repair services of the BOF-shop.  

Employees of the electric and power service have also begun a comprehensive repair and maintenance of the mixer's dedusting system - they are restoring the electric motor with a capacity of 930 kW, conducting a thorough audit of the dedusting duct - dampers, electrical equipment, smoke exhauster units, etc. 

"Despite the economic, technical and logistical difficulties of the wartime, the company invests in the restoration of important equipment of Kamet Steel, on the reliable operation of which the stable and efficient operation of the BOF-shop and the entire plant depends. High-quality performance of the scheduled overhaul of the mixer will extend its service life and bring the operation of the unit as close as possible to the passport characteristics," said Andrii KARZIN, Deputy Head of the BOF-Shop for Engineering.