Steel Mills
Storage Dome Collapse to Delay Start-up of Nucor DRI Plant
Written by Sandy Williams
September 26, 2013
A storage dome collapse will delay the start-up of Nucor’s new DRI plant in Convent, La., until the end of the year said Nucor officials in a press release on Sept. 26.
On Wednesday afternoon, one of three storage domes for storage of iron ore pellets, suffered structural failure and collapsed, creating what sounded like an explosion and prompting calls to 911. No explosion, fire or injuries occurred. The dome, which is constructed of concrete with a fabric skin, was reported to look a deflated balloon. The conveyor system connected to the tops of the three domes was bent. The collapse is under investigation said Nucor officials.
The plant is in the “commissioning stage” and was expected to start production in the next few weeks. The incident will delay the start of the $750 million DRI project that has been under construction since March 2011. The plant will use natural gas to convert iron ore pellets into direct reduced iron. The plant is expected to produce 2.5 million tons of DRI per year.
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Mills
Algoma Aims To Ramp Plate Production by Year End
Algoma Steel Inc. plans to ramp up production at its modernized plate mill toward the end of the year. Operations Update The Canadian sheet and plate producer said it in the meantime continues hot commissioning at the upgraded facility and has begun cold commissioning as well. The company said it has also run trials through […]
Nucor Maintains Plate Prices
Nucor Corp. will keep plate prices unchanged with the opening of its November order book.
Sheet Lead Times Mixed, Plate Plummets
While lead times for sheet again had mixed movements this week, those for plate collapsed, according to SMU’s most recent market survey.
Nucor to Partner With Fusion Company To Power US Mill
Nucor has announced a collaboration with fusion power company Helion to develop a 500-megawatt nuclear fusion power plant.
USW Taps McCall as New President After Conway’s Passing
The United Steelworkers International (USW) executive board on Tuesday appointed David McCall as the union’s new international president. He will fill the remainder of Tom Conway’s term.