Zaporizhstal has completed a series of major overhauls of the main rolling facilities as part of its annual capital expenditure programme, having spent over UAH 230 million.
Major overhauls of the 1680 continuous sheet rolling mill and the 1150 slabbing mill, as well as the continuous pickling line, were conducted around the clock for two weeks at Zaporizhstal's hot rolling and cold rolling shops. The large-scale upgrade of the rolling equipment involved specialists from the engineering and other functions of the subdivisions, Metinvest-Promservice, and contractors Etalonbudservis, Galaktyka, Erbau Group, Promenergospetsmontazh, Engineering Service, Kryvorizhpromtekhservis, and Elektroremont.
"The reliable operation of the equipment primarily relies on careful operation and timely maintenance. The completed overhauls will improve the efficiency of the facilities and lower the risk of potential unplanned downtime and rejection rates in production. The biggest challenge was not the complexity or scale of work, but assembling a team to carry it out: with mobilisation and migration, we are facing a significant shortage of experienced specialists, both when it comes to our team and teams of our contractor partners. Nevertheless, we managed to organise safe and well-coordinated work at the site, involving almost 850 specialists, and complete the planned overhauls on time. I thank everyone for their responsible approach and high-quality execution of the tasks," said Taras SHEVCHENKO, Acting General Director of Zaporizhstal.
At the 1680 continuous sheet rolling mill, the primary efforts of the specialists were focused on renewing the gear and power reducers, as well as carrying out a comprehensive replacement of rollers, electric motors, hydraulic and lubrication systems, and cartridges with down coiler support arms. The specialists also replaced a section of the mixed gas pipeline. At the coilbox, a new peeler, forming roll, stabilisers, troughs, shafts, and chocks were installed, and the electric motors of the stands were repaired, among other works. The seats of down coiler No. 2 were restored by deposit welding and milling.
At the 1150 slabbing mill, roller table troughs and manipulator assemblies were successfully replaced. The seats of the bars and bearings of the horizontal stand rolls were restored by deposit welding and milling. The drive motors of the horizontal rolls were repaired, and the bearings were replaced.
At continuous pickling line No. 4, the main works included replacing the control system and power modules, a compressor, coil transport rail system, and car wheels, as well as restoring the walking beam to its design position.
In addition, the second stage of the major overhaul of the hydrochloric acid regeneration unit, an environmentally friendly item of equipment in the cold rolling shop that ensures high-quality pickling of rolled products in renewable hydrochloric acid solutions, is currently underway at continuous pickling line No.4. The specialists from the shop and Zaporizhzhia Refractories are replacing the cyclone's lining and acid-resistant refractory masonry, support ring and pipe, ensuring the reliable operation of the closed-circuit pickling liquor regeneration. Previously, during the first stage of the overhaul, the reactor burners, return dust pipelines, etc. were replaced.
As a reminder, since the onset of the full-scale invasion, Zaporizhstal has invested more than UAH 1.2 billion in upgrading its production equipment and treatment facilities, which operate as an integrated complex. During the full-scale invasion, the programme focused on maintaining and upgrading equipment to ensure its reliable operation under unforeseen conditions.
