Department of Technical Education
Andhra Pradesh
Name : P. Lakshmipathy
Designation : Senior lecturer
Branch : Mechanical Engineering
Institution : Govt polytechnic, Vijayawada
Semester : IV sem
Subject/code : Engineering materials/M404
Major Topic : Production of iron & steel
Sub Topic : Manufacture of Steel by L-D
process
Duration : 50 min
Teaching aids : Photos, PPT, diagrams
Revised by : [Link] Bhaskar
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Recap
In the previous class, we have discussed about
• Principle of steel making
• Manufacture of steel by Bessemer process
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Objectives
On completion of this period, you would be
able to learn:
• L-D Converter
• L-D process of steel making
• L-D Steel characteristics
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L-D Converter
• L-D converter is closed bottom vessel
• L-D converter is lined with basic refractory material
• Jet of oxygen is supplied to the converter through
water cooled lance
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L-D Process
• L-D stands for linz and Donawitz where the process was
first started
• This process introduced in 1952-53 in Austrian towns of
linz and Donewitz
• L-D process was first adopted in India in Rourkela steel
in 1956 and started production in 1960
• L-D converter is a closed bottom vessel and is lined with
basic refractory material
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L D Converter
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L D Converter
Fig 1
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L D Converter
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L D Converter
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L-D Process Steel Making
• Charged with steel scrap through the mouth, when
converter is in horizontal position
• Molten Pig iron is poured and converter is tilted upright
• Oxygen jet is introduced at a pressure of 10.5bar through
oxygen lance
• Addition of lime through chute
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Operation Of L-D Process
• Impurities are oxidized by oxygen dissolved in metal and
slag
• Sulphur and phosphorous are oxidized from the very
commencement of oxygen blow
• Sulphur is effectively reduced
• End point is indicated by disappearance of Carbon flow
• Molten metal is tapped into a casting laddle
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L-D Steel Characteristics
• Low sulphur, phosphorous, nitrogen and carbon
content
• Posses high ductility
• Used to make high carbon steel
• Suitable for making plates and sheets
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Summary
In this class, we discussed the following
• L-D converter
• L-D process of steel making
• L-D steel characteristics
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Quiz
1. L-D converter is lined with ……. (basic refractory)
2. Charge of L-D process ………(steel scrap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Explain the L-D process of steel making with a neat
sketch?
2. Compare the methods of steel making by Bessemer
process and L-D process?
3. State the advantages of making steel in L-D process?
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