COOLING CONTROLS BOOST EFFICIENCY
September 1st 2004 Three Spirax Sarco pneumatically-actuated control valves fitted with smart positioners are helping to boost productivity at a steel section mill near Cardiff.
The valves provide precise control over the flow of water used to cool rolled steel sections. The rate of cooling, from 800 to less than 100°C over a 15min period is critical to avoid warping after straightening of the mill’s steel channel and angle stock.
Celsa Manufacturing relies on water cooling due to the restricted space on the cooling bed at its Tremorfa Works mill.
Mr P Willis, mechanical engineer at Celsa, explains “The old valves and hollow cone nozzles we replaced frequently became blocked by particles in the recycled cooling water, that the old filtration system failed to catch. We have had no blockages at all since the new valves and controls and a better filtration system were installed. This has reduced our maintenance requirement and improved production efficiency.” More articles from Spirax Sarco Ltd: | 
