OREANDA-NEWS. In order to improve operation of the Works up to the level of global steel producers PJSC “Ilyich Iron and Steel Works of Mariupol” of Metinvest Group has successfully implemented the planned program of overhauls of main metallurgical and power equipment for 2013. Financial investments amounted to over 300 mln UAH.

During the past year more than 200 major overhauls in the main production shops and structural divisions, which ensure their smooth-running operation, were made.

On Sinter Factory there were made major repair works on sintering machines No 7 and No 9, which resulted in minimizing the risk of accidents and improving the quality of sinter.

In Blast-Furnace Shop reconstruction of furnaces No3 and No4 was made, during which furnace-charging gears were replaced and gunning of blast-furnace stacks was made. This will allow to reduce heat load on water-cooled elements and extend the life of blast furnaces.

In Oxygen-Converter Shop a large-scale overhaul of the converter No3 was conducted. As part of this overhaul the complete replacement of the converter shell was made, as well as replacement of all its main parts and auxiliary equipment. Besides, in this Shop overhauls of the converter No2, mixer No4 and continuous casting machines No1 and No3 were made. As a result of restoration of design parameters of the equipment overhaul period of metallurgical equipment operation is increased, performance reliability is improved and compliance with the required technological parameters is ensured.

Significant works on renewal of the equipment have passed in Rolling Shops of Ilyich Iron and Steel Works. In particular, in Cold Rolling Shop the automatic system for thickness and tension control of four-stand mill was adjusted, allowing to work efficiently with regard to compliance with the geometric sizes of the rolled products, including thickness range less than 0.5 mm. In Rolling Mill "3000" modern crane rails with shock pads of German production were fitted, that will reduce the wear of overhead cranes and ensure timely shipment of finished products. In Rolling Mill "1700" a large amount of work has been done to repair stands, what will improve the efficiency of production and reduce emergency downtime. Also major repairs of power equipment of the Works (boilers, cooling towers, blowers, etc.) were carried out.

Even more ambitious program of renovation of production facilities is scheduled in 2014. About 402 mln. UAH is provided for the overhaul of the equipment.

"Ensuring of safety and reliability of the equipment is for us one of the main factors to improve production efficiency. That is why Metinvest Group despite serious difficulties in the industry, not only reduces the investment in a major overhaul, but also increases its funding in the most important activity", emphasized Yuriy Zinchenko, Director General of PJSC “Ilyich Iron and Steel Works of Mariupol”.