Research & Development Centre for Iron & Steel has undertaken 82 R&D projects in the current year 2012 to 2013, out of which 54 projects are scheduled for completion by March 2013. These projects provide technological inputs to SAIL plants / units with thrust on cost reduction, value addition, quality improvement and development of new products.
The Centre has filed 25 patents and 18 copyrights during April to December 2012. As many as 41 technical papers were published and 144 papers were presented. In addition, RDCIS undertook contract research work and provided significant consultancy services and know how to organizations outside SAIL, yielding external earning of INR 151.05 lakhs.
Significant achievements of some of the completed projects, in different technology areas, are summarized below:
1. Enhancement of steel ladles lining life through SRU bricks in SMS II, BSL.
2. Improvement in roll temperature profile at Plate Mill, BSP.
3. Introduction of modified roll cooling system in intermediate stands at Section Mill, DSP.
4. Improvement in productivity of SP#1, DSP.
5. Introduction of magnetic plate segregation chute and magnetic water conditioner at Sinter Plant#2, RSP.
6. Modification of Safety lining of CCM II ladle to enhance ladle reliability & lining life, RSP.
7. Block weight optimization of 'S' profile wheel to improve yield from ingot to wheel at RDCIS.
8. Increase in production of cold rolled coils through PL2 Tandem Mill route, CRM, RSP.
9. Introduction of Modified Roll Cooling System in Intermediate Stands, Section Mill , DSP.
10. Design of combustion system for mixed gas firing at Medium Pressure Boiler # 3 of RSP.
Expenditure on R & D during the last 2 years is as under:
?Year
SAIL's turnover
R&D Expenditure
Capital Revenue
2010-11
47041
5.08127.06
2011-12
50348
5.37129.08
(In INR crore)