Technical feasibility study for extending the speed limit of a continuous steel production line aiming at increasing its productivity

The production increase of a continuous processing line is directly related to an increased processing speed of the material. In this context, this work presents a technical analysis involving the various equipment of a continuous annealing and pickling line of steels, focusing on the characterization and possible expansion of its speed limit. Based on the working fundamentals and operational characteristics of the equipment of each line section, it was identified its maximum capacity concerning the highest running speed achievable. The results indicated that the accumulation lengths of loop cars, speed and power capacity of electric motors, furnace heat and electrolytic pickling capacity are not on their edge limits, pointing to the possibility of significant speed gains. Step-down gearboxes, on the other hand, proved to be undersized, indicating the need for re-powering, even if they are to operate on the current speed. Apart from the gearboxes, the next speed limitation was imposed by the electric motors; however, they still can deliver a speed increase of 17 meters/minute. It is worthy mentioning that the evaluation methodology proposed here can also be applied to other types of production lines, which can also be optimized.