Water is essential in steel production, serving key functions such as cooling, cleaning, and descaling. However, untreated water in steel mills often contains impurities like minerals, bacteria, and chemicals, leading to operational challenges.
Ensuring high water quality is critical to avoid issues such as:
Scale Formation: Hard deposits that lower efficiency and increase failure risks.
Corrosion: Equipment damage causing leaks and operational problems.
Microbiological Growth: Biofilms that reduce efficiency and accelerate corrosion.
Product Quality Defects: Surface issues like streaks, discoloration, and pitting caused by water impurities.
Effluent Pollution: Environmental harm and non-compliance due to pollutant discharge.
The recycled cooling water was heavily contaminated with grit, oil, and debris, entering from drainage to a collection sump and the flumes. This water was then directed to nozzles with diameters of 0.5–2 mm.
The accumulated debris caused frequent nozzle blockages, forcing monthly shutdowns of the cooling system for nozzle cleaning or replacement.
