Wear Protection Linings from Abresist Kalenborn for Powdered Carbon Systems
AIST and Iron & Steel Technology Article

Many steel mills have extended the life of their piping systems with the application of KALFLEX, ABRESIST® and KALOCER® wear-resistant linings from Abresist Kalenborn Corp.

The piping involves two separate systems and, in many cases, is 300 feet long or more. Larger-diameter piping carries the carbon from the main storage silo to a pressure pot/weigh hopper near the furnace. A smaller-diameter piping system then continues on to the furnace. In many cases, the piping is designed to feed two furnaces, using two pressure pots and a crossover system, so either pot can feed either furnace.

ABRESIST linings in straight pipes and KALOCER lined elbows successfully handle abrasive wear in the static piping to extend system life and reduce spillage. The linings also provide a more consistent performance for the pneumatic system, as these mills no longer need to mix different schedule pipes and wall thicknesses to try to extend steel life.

KALFLEX wear-resistant flexible protection is an intriguing product for steel mills because the piping systems require flexible components in three places. The toughest flexible application is the hose connecting to the retractable lance. Many systems use high-quality rubber hoses, but these need to be replaced after anywhere from eight hours to four or five days with a cost of $250–400 per hose, not including labor costs. Steel mills that have used KALFLEX at this connection have gone at least a year before needing a replacement. KALFLEX can be varied in its design to meet custom needs. The outer casing can be protected by woven stainless steel or a silicon-based fabric that resists damage from molten steel spatter, or both.

The flexibility of KALFLEX is a great benefit for connecting pieces with unusual or varying angles and dimensions. It can also be used to isolate weigh hoppers to get more consistent feed and gain more control over the amount of carbon delivered to each heat. Fixed piping can affect the load cell results due to changes in the weather or structural movement. (View the article from Iron & Steel Technology, Dec. 2011)

For more information contact Abresist Kalenborn Corporation, P.O. Box 38, 5541 North State Road 13, Urbana, IN 46990.  Telephone: 800-348-0717, Fax: 888-348-0717.