Primary Metals

Industrial Pumping Solutions Required for the Steel Industry

The steel industry is critical to the economy and is the backbone of skyscrapers, bridges, automobiles, and a variety of products used every day. Pumps are used throughout the primary metals industry in many processes such as descaling and pickling and many other steel production processes.

There are many types of primary metals and steel production applications, including:

• Iron and steel mills manufacturing
• Steel product manufacturing from purchased steel
• Alumina and aluminum production and processing
• Nonferrous metal (except aluminum) production and processing
• Precious metal processing
• Copper processing
• Carbon steel
• Zinc processing
• Nickel processing
• Foundries
• Industrial water treatment

Industrial and transfer pumps are used in almost every step of the steel making process and must be able to provide reliable operation in the tough and hazardous environment. A smooth-running steel and metal production plant reduces safety risks and maintenance issues and promotes efficient production.

Steel and metals operations are trending towards more reliable, automated pumping equipment that is less labor intensive to improve production efficiency and safety. You need a pump supplier with experience in understanding the many challenges facing metal pumping applications.

Primary Metals and Steel Pumping Operations

There are many types of industrial metal and steel production applications and many processes where high-quality pumping solutions are required. The production of aluminum, for example, requires filtration and separation equipment that plays a significant role in Alumina and Aluminum production processing.
Other steel and metal refining processes that require durable pumping solutions include:

• The blast furnace
• Casting
• Pickling
• Descaling
• Washing down
• Dewatering
• Effluent handling

Pumps for the primary metals and steel market must be able to handle high temperatures, debris, abrasive slurries, acidic conditions, oil pumping, and other challenging conditions for pumps and process equipment.
Pickling is the immersion of unfinished steel in various concentrations of acids to remove surface films and mill scale. Pickling is performed in the finishing area and is commonly performed with hydrochloric and sulfuric acids requiring heavy-duty pumps for steel manufacturing. The continuous pickling method runs continuous rolls of steel through a series of vats with concentrations of acid re-circulating at specific temperatures for continuous pickling of coiled steel sheets. The sheets of steel enter the pickling process where acid solutions are least concentrated and move throughout the process to progressively cooler and higher concentrations of acid mixtures.

Descaling is important and must be adaptable when producing an array of different steels. Descaling equipment must provide reliable performance with the ability to adjust for water flow rates and pressures as the type of steel changes.

Pumps for the Primary Metals and Steel Industry

IPE offers a wide selection of innovative pumps and process equipment along with comprehensive services for the primary metals and steel production market. We provide pumping solutions for all processes throughout steel production, including clear liquid to slurry processes, dewatering, and submersible pumps.

Various types of pumps are used throughout the primary metals and steel production industry. In many cases, sealless magnetic drive pumps are used to pump acids from storage to the tank farm. Nonmetallic, sealless magnetic drive pumps provide the chemical resistance needed in many areas, including recirculating pickling acid and circulating the rinsing liquid. Neutralization is performed mainly with caustics, and sealless, hermetically closed, magnetic drive pumps improve safety and provide peace of mind when working with toxic chemicals.

Reliability is crucial in the primary metals and steel industry, with pump reliability and efficiency continually challenged by processing, corrosion, erosion, and maintenance issues. Compatibility is crucial, and it is important to know if there are any compatibility issues with the chemicals being pumped and if any solids are involved. Pumping equipment for the steel market must provide:

• Reliability
• Compatibility
• Safety
• Maximum uptime
• Efficient energy consumption

Pump Supplier for the Primary Metals and Steel Industry

IPE is more than a pump supplier, we offer complete pumping equipment solutions for the primary metals and steel processing industry, including full service and support. Choosing the right pump supplier can have a significant impact on productivity and overall quality due to the many processes involved in the steel industry. IPE differs from other pump suppliers in our level of technical expertise and vast market experience.