Steel Mills
Even though steel mills manufacture steel, there are variations based on whether they manage all the steps of making steel or whether casting products that are semi-finished are built from scrap. The products from these mills are used with other industries either in building products or providing equipment for operations.
An integrated steel mill uses iron ore, coal, and limestone for the main raw materials. It has several functions that allow the raw materials to go all the way through production to the finished shape. These functions include:
Integrated Steel Mills
Iron making to convert the ore to liquid iron
Steel making to convert the pig iron to liquid steel
Casting which turns liquid steel to a solid
Billet rolling to reduce the size of the blocks
Product rolling to make the finished shape
A blast furnace turns the iron into liquid, which is then directed to special containers to be cast into pig iron or for other operations. The furnaces operate continually even during times of lower operation while adjusting the rate of production.
Integrated steel mills are large facilities that produce a minimum capacity. The products made by these facilities are usually structural pieces, wire rod, railway rails, piping, bars, and heavy plates.
Minimills
A steel minimill uses recycled steel to build new products. They require an electric arc furnace to melt the scrap, which may come from automobiles, equipment, and other byproducts from manufacturing plants. The steel must be melted down into liquid before it can be used to create new products.
Minimills often specialize and develop specific products for use in the local area. They may develop piping or special products for agriculture or transportation. One mill may build bar steel while another may manufacture plate steel. One of the major differences between these mills and integrated mills is the fact that production can be started and stopped based upon demand.
Developing Storage for Steel Mills
Steel mills require special storage containers for the various raw materials and processes being used. Some of these containers will hold hot liquid metal and must be able to withstand extreme temperatures without compromise.
Others will need to contain materials and products that would be damaging or harmful if allowed to escape. Because of the pollution that steel mills produce and the impact to the environment, they are highly regulated. Storage facilities must meet stringent requirements to maintain compliance.
Great Rivers Industries provides a wide range of products to steel mills based on their unique needs. We can manufacture containers in sizes to meet the demands each client has with its own customer base. We also inspect and maintain these containers to ensure they are durable and dependable.