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Vacuum Treatment of Molten Steel: RH

(Rurhstahl Heraeus) versus VTD (Vacuum Tank
Degasser)
CONFERENCE PAPER MAY 2014

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Bandung Institute of Technology

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Vacuum Treatment of Molten Steel:

RH (Rurhstahl Heraeus) versus VTD (Vacuum Tank Degasser)
Zulfiadi Zulhan1, Christian Schrade2
1. Department of Metallurgical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia
2. Technometal GmbH, Tenova Metals Division, Essen, Germany
Email: zulfiadi.zulhan@gmail.com
Christian.Schrade@tenova.com

Abstract
In the beginning of their development in 1950s, RH and VTD were applied to produce quality steel in
term of low hydrogen content for reducing of hair crack formation. In the mean time, both of these
technologies are installed in steelworks in order to obtain high quality of steel products containing low
hydrogen content, low nitrogen content, ultra low carbon content, low total oxygen content as well as
ultra low sulphur content. The criteria of technology selection of these vacuum treatment techniques
are strictly dictated by the steel grade to be produced. Intensive slag-metal interaction was observed
during molten steel treatment on VTD which promotes a good condition for sulphur removal. On the
other hand, less slag-metal interaction is taken place during RH treatment. Therefore, comparisons of
RH and VTD treatments for impurities removal in molten steel are presented in this paper using some
models for impurities prediction after vacuum treatment, consumptions and treatment cycle times, as
well the availability of vacuum vessel. The capability of molten steel desulphurization on VTD plant
through top slag and on RH plant by powder blowing are discussed.
Key words: RH, VTD, vacuum treatment, decarburization, degasing, desulphurization.

I. Introduction
Since 1950s, vacuum techniques were developed for degassing purposes. These techniques
include DH (Dormund Hoerder) degassing, RH (Rurhstahl Heraeus) degassing, Vacuum
Tank Degassing (VTD), Vacuum Arc Degassing (VAD), and Vacuum Induction Melting
(VIM). Nowadays, there are two techniques commonly used for mass production of steel in
order to reduce gases and carbon contents namely RH and VTD. In the new constructed steel
plants, vacuum degassing facilities were considered and intergrated in the steel production
line. There is also a trend for existing plants to install vacuum treatment facility to provide an
opportunity for steel plant to extend the product mix and to be more flexible in order to
respond the steel market situation.
Lower hydrogen and nitrogen content, ultra low carbon content, ultra low sulphur content,
lower total oxygen content as well as steel cleanliness are the reasons for installing vacuum
treatment facilities. The selection of RH or VTD is strictly dictated by steel grades to be
produced. In most cases, the installation of RH vacuum degassing is more dominant,
especially for big heat size, compared to VTD due to its excellent mixing performance, short
cycle time for decarburization and degassing which results a great number of heat can be
treated per day.
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II. Vacuum Treatment by RH Degassing

In 1950s, RH degassing plant was developed and installed in Germany, Figure 1a. Since then,
a lot of process improvements were performed on RH plant including the installation of
oxygen lance in Hattingen1), the enlargement of snorkel and vessel diameters2), as well as the
application of powder injection for desulphurization3,4). Comprehensive model for
decarburization on RH plant was introduced by Kuwabara5) considering the vacuum pressure,
liftgas flowrate, vessel as well snorkel diameters. It was reported that the time required to
achieve carbon content of less than 20 ppm can be completed in less than 15 minutes on RH
plants2).

a. Development of RH Degasser6)

b. Schematic RH
degasser

c. 300t modern RH Plant

Figure 1. RH Degasser.

A microsoft-excel based RH simulation model was developed for better understanding

overall RH process starting from ladle arrival to RH station until ladle ready to be lifted by
crane for continous casting process. The simulation model consists of decarburization model
which was proposed by Kuwadara5), degassing model by Janke7), deoxidation model, alloying
model, temperature model, as well as desulphurization by powder blowing. The treatments on
RH degasser is classified into four groups: degassing, light treatment, ultra low carbon steel
(e.g. IF steel grades) and ultra low carbon steel silicon steel grade. Some calculation results
are shown in Figure 2.
For some steel grades which has requirement that desulphurization shall be conducted on RH
plant, the mixture of fluxes powder, e.g. CaO and Al2O3, can be blown through lance on the
surface of molten steel during circulating in RH vessel. The model which is used to predict
sulphur content during powder blowing was published previously4). The comparison of
calculation and actual results during industrial trial of powder blowing at 300 ton RH plant is
depicted in Figure 3.
Based on oxygen activity measurement in molten steel, deoxidation model was developed
based on statistical model and aluminium yield model to determine amount of aluminium
addition to achieve the final specification of aluminium content.
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1000 mbar

100 mbar

10 mbar

C
Circulation

1 mbar

1200

O
Vac.

dC/dt
N
1000

700

[O] in ppm

800

600

400

200

0
0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

600

500

100
400

300
10

200

100

0
0

10

15

25

30

Time [Min]

[C] in ppm

a.

20

Vacuum Pressure [mbar]; N [ppm]

C [ppm]; O [ppm]; 10*dC/dt (ppm/min)

1000

C-O equilibrium for carbon removal

b.

Calculation results
1660

Ladle Transfer to Treatment Position (1)

Increase ladle position (1)

S1, T1, a[O]1 (2)

1640

Immersed snorkel (1)

Vacuum Treatment (28)

1620

Decarburization (17)
(0)

1600

T2, a[O]2 (1,5)

Al Deoxidation + Alloying (3)

1580

Alloying addition (3)

Mixing + Homogenization (5)

Flooding (1)
Lowering Ladle

1560

(1)

S3, T3, a[O]3 (0,5)

1540

Transfer ladle to wire feeding (0,5)

Wire feeding (0)
Transfer ladle to covering powder

Temperature [C]

Oxygen Blowing (0 Nm3)

Alloying weighing + transfer to vacuum hopper

Steel Temperature (Predicted)

(0,5)

1520
Steel Temperature Measured

Covering Powder addition (0,5)

Transfer ladle to lifting position (0,5)

1500
0

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Time [Min]

c. Treatment diagram and temperature calculation

Figure 2. Output of RH simulation model.

40

Sulphur content [ppm]

calculated

measured

30

20

10

0
0

10

15

20

25

Desulphurization time [Minutes]

a. Powder blowing through oxygen lance

for desulphurization

b.

Sulphur content profile

Figure 3. Desulphurization by powder blowing.

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III. Vacuum Treatment by Tank Degassing (VTD)

The development of vacuum tank degassing is based on Mares proposal in 1938 for ingot
casting under vacuum, Figure 4a. In 1950s, 150t vacuum ingot casting, also well known as
vacuum stream degassing (VSD) was successfully intalled and operated at Gustahlwerk
Bochumer Verein in Germany to produce turbine blade for power generation, Figure 4b. In
the same period, Samarin started 22t ladle degassing in tank, Figure 4c. Steel stirring for
degassing was promoted by boiling reaction in the melt which means that only unkilled /
semikilled heat can be degassed by carbon monoxide formation. It was also observed severe
damage on stopper rod and ladle lining during vacuum treatment. After introducing of porous
plug for stirring and slide gate to replace stopping rod for casting, VTD was well developed.

a. Mares proposal8)

b. 150t Ingot casting under

vacuum6)

c. VTD at Dneprospetsstal, Soviet Union8)

d. Schematic VTD

Figure 4. Vacuum Tank Degasser (VTD).

The task of VTD are principally similar to RH. However due to intensive slag-metal
interaction on VTD, desulphurization can take place better on VTD provided that a suitable
slag composition and amount are available during vacuum treatment. Slag-metal interaction
results also negative impact on VTD due to silicon reversion from slag via carbon or
aluminium reaction with silica which can increase silicon content in steel (silicon pick-up).
(SiO2) + 2[C] 2{CO} + [Si]
(SiO2) + 4/3[Al] 2/3 (Al2O3) + [Si]
Decarburization performance of VTD is less compared to RH due to less contact of molten
metal to vacuum environment as well as excessive molten steel and slag boiling during
vacuum treatment which is required to control vacuum pressure and argon stirring during
treatment. Figure 5 shows the way to control vacuum pressure by flooding. Furthermore,
ladle freeboard of 1000 1200 mm shall be considered for decarburization process.
Vacuum
pressu re
(mbar)

Oxygen
blowing
(Nm3/h)

Flooding to
prevent
slopping of
slag and metal

a. Vacuum pressure during decarburization

b. Vacuum control by flooding on the roof of VTD 9)

Figure 5. Flooding for boiling control.

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For better understanding of VTD process, a microsoft-excel based simulation model was
developed. Decarburization model which was proposed by Bannenberg10) is used to predict
carbon content in molten steel. Degassing model is similar to RH degasser. For sulphur
removal, the model which was introduced by KTH group11,12) is applied. The height of slag
foaming is predicted based on the formula proposed by Fruehan13). The calculation results are
shown in Figure 6 where around 20 to 25 minutes is required for decarburization. For
production of ULC steel, a model to predict carbon and oxygen contents as well as
temperature is mandatory since the temperature and oxygen activity measurements under
vacuum are sophisticated compared to RH plant.
1000 mbar

100 mbar

10 mbar

1 mbar

1000 mbar

dC/dt

Vac.

1200
1000

700

[O] in ppm

800

600

400

200

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

[C] in ppm

600
500
100
400
300
10
200

100
1

0
0

15

20

25

30

35

40

Time [Min]

a. C-O equilibrium for carbon removal

Ladle Seated into VD Tank

10

Vacuum Pressure [mbar]; N [ppm]

C [ppm]; O [ppm]; 10*dC/dt (ppm/min)

1000

b. Calculation results
1660

(2)

Argon connection and started (1)

S1, T1, a[O]1 (2)

1640

Cover closed (2)

Vacuum Treatment (37)

Al (CaO/Flux) weigh. + trans. to lower vac hopper (4)

Oxygen Blowing for de-C and heating (0 Nm3)

(0)

Alloying weigh. + trans. to upper vac hopper

(1)

1600

Al(CaO/Flux) Addition for Deox + Alloy + Heating (3)

1580

Alloying Charging (3)

Mixing + Homogenization (5)

Flooding (1)

1560

Temperature [C]

1620

Decarburization (25)

Cover opened (2)

S2, T2, a[O]2 (2)

1540

Trimming (10)
Wire feeding (0)
S3, T3, a[O]3 (2)

Steel Temperature Calculated

Ladle lifting (2)

Steel Temperature Measured

1520

()

1500
0

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

75

Time [Min]

c. Treatment diagram and temperature calculation

Figure 6. Output of VTD simulation model.

Based on oxygen prediction, the model calculate the amount of aluminium to be charged into
VTD after decarburization for deoxidation as well as for aluminium alloying. The amount of
burned lime is calculated to obtain final slag for desulphurization. The model calculate
temperature profile during the whole process treatment on VTD as well. The prediction of
sulphur content is shown on Figure 7. The quality of burned lime shall be well controlled in
order to minimize carbon pick-up. As sulphur content reduced during vacuum treatment, at
the same time, a good condition for nitrogen removal is achieved. Melt height is a critical
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issue for VTD treatment, the model predict the melt height as function of vacuum pressure
and amount of CO gas as shown in Figure 8.
180

2000
1800

160

Sulphur content
Sulphur equilibrium
Nitrogen
Slag weight
LS (sulphur distribution ratio)

120

1600
CaO sat. = 0,8

1400
1200

100
1000
80
800

60

600

40

400

20

Slag weight [kg]; LS

Sulphur [ppm]

140

0
0

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

CaO sat. = 1,0

CaO sat. = 1,1
CaO sat. = 1,2

This area is not suggested

for desulphurization,
because the slag viscosity
is high and CaO is already
over saturated

200

CaO sat. = 0,9

70

Treatment time [Min]

a.

Optimum Slag
composition

Desulphurization calculation

b.

Slag composition for desulphurization

Figure 7. Desulphurization and slag composition.

3,5
100
3,0
2,5
2,0
10
1,5

Vacuum Pressure

1,0

Ladle height
0,5

Melt height
1

0,0
5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

[mbar]
pressure
Vacuumvakum
[mbar]
Tekanan

4,0

1000

4,5

5,0
4,5
4,0
3,5

100

3,0
2,5
2,0
10
1,5

Vacuum Pressure
Ladle height

1,0

Melt height

0,5

0,0
0

10

15

With vacuum control

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

Waktu
[Menit]
Time [minutes]

Waktu
[Menit]
Time
[minutes]

a.

Bibir ladle
dan height
lelehan
Tinggi
[m] [m]
and ladle
Melt

5,0

Slopping

Bibir ladle
dan height
Tinggi
[m] [m]
and ladle
Meltlelehan

[mbar]
pressure
Vacuum vakum
[mbar]
Tekanan

1000

b.

Without vacuum control

Figure 8. Prediction of melt height during vacuum treatment.

IV. Comparison of RH and VTD

The selection of RH or VTD for steel plant is determined by steel grade to be produced. As it
was stated previously, RH is very powerfull for decarburization, Figure 9a. For steel plant
which has focus on production of ultra low carbon steel grade (e.g. IF steel for automotive
industries), RH shall be selected. For pipe steel or heavy plate, both of vacuum degassings can
be considered principally. The performance of hydrogen removal is more or less similar
between RH and VTD, Figure 9b. Desulphurization can be better conducted on VTD by top
slag. In case of RH plant is applied, sulphur shall be removed before RH treatment, e.g. by hot
metal desulphurization, better scrap control on BOF, and further desulphurization on LF or by
powder injection facility. Desulphurization on RH by powder blowing is an option for such
steel grade. For NGO steel, it is recommended to produce on RH due to ultra low carbon
requirement and huge amount of alloying to be added. Sulfur removal can be conducted by
powder blowing as the temperature of molten steel is high enough after silicon addition to
compesate temperature drop during desulphurization. Quality of lime or fluxes shall be well
controlled to minimize carbon pick-up.

2014 SEAISI Conference and Exhibition, Kuala Lumpur, 26-29 May 2014

Page 6

1,6

RH

300

Carbon content [ppm]

Hydrogen after vacuum [ppm]

350

VTD
250

200
150
100
50

RH

1,5

VTD

1,4
1,3
1,2
1,1
1,0
0,9
0,8
0,7
0,6

0
0

10

15

20

25

30

a.

Hydrogen before vacuum [ppm]

Vacuum treatment time [Min]

decarburization

b.

Hydrogen removal

Figure 9. Decarburization and dehydrogenation performance, RH vs. VTD.

The comparison of RH and VTD is summarized in Table 1. Overall, RH has more advantages
over VTD. The limitations of RH plant are the requirement of RH vessel preheating, snorkel
maintenance and exchange, more space, as well as high investment and operating costs.
Table 1. Comparison of RH and VTD.
Ladle freeboard
Heat size
Sampling, temperature and
oxygen activity measurements
Observation of molten steel
height / surface during vacuum
treatment
Boiling

Decarburization
Denitrogenization
Dehydrogenation
Desulphurization
Silicon pick-up?

Vessel preheating

Vessel exchange
Space

Ladle refractory life

Overall investment cost
Overall operational cost

VTD
600 1200 mm
More than 3 ton
Taking sample and
temperature measurement
under vacuum is complicated
Depends on the opening
diameter of ladle cover heat
shield.
Vacuum pressure and argon
stirring shall be well
controlled to avoid excessive
boiling.
< 30 ppm in 20 minutes
< 40 ppm
< 1.5 ppm
Intensive slag metal reaction

RH
200 300 mm
More than 50 ton
Taking sample and
temperature measurement
under vacuum is simple
Easy by installation a video
camera on hot-off take
Easy to control due to high
feeboard of RH vessel.

< 20 ppm in 15 minutes

< 40 ppm
< 1.5 ppm
Possible through powder
injection and flux addition
Yes, SiO2 content in slag No, less slag metal
shall be controlled to produce interaction.
free silicon steel.
Not required
RH Vessel must be well
heated before vacuum
treatment
Not required
Snorkel is changed after ca.
100 150 heats
Small space than RH
Large space is required for
vessel drying, preheating as
well as maintenance
Shorter than RH
Longer than VTD
Low
Relatively high
Low
Relatively high

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V. Vacuum Pump
In order to perform degassing and decarburization, a vacuum must be created inside of the RH
vacuum vessel or inside tank of VTD by means of either steam jet pump system or dry pump
system. The steam jet pump requires motive steam and cooling water for condensing the
steam. Steam jet pumps can be designed as full steam pumps, Figure 10a, or as hybrid
pumps, Figure 10b, equipped with liquid ring pumps as final atmospheric stage. The quantity
of installed watering pump depends on the process requirement. Frequently, three to four
watering pumps are delivered in which one of them is used as stand-by. Full steam ejector is
usually preferred in converter steelmaking shop where some steam can be produced by
converter waste gas cooling system. Hybrid pump is very often installed in electric
steelmaking shop. Nevertheless, under some considerations, hybrid pump is also installed in
converter steelmaking shop.

a. Full steam jet pump system

b. Hybrid (steam ejector pump + WRP)

Figure 10. Vacuum pump.

Currently, mechanical dry vacuum pump, Figure 11, is preferred to be installed, particularly
in electric steelmaking shop and minimill. The benefits of this installation are no condenser
water and steam needed for vacuum generation which means that no boiler and water
treatment plant are necessary. Furthermore, less space is required which makes the plant more
compact.

Figure 11. Typical dry mechanical vacuum pump.

2014 SEAISI Conference and Exhibition, Kuala Lumpur, 26-29 May 2014

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However, waste gas must be filtered from dust particles generated during the process before it
enters the pump system. The bag filter must be capable of removing fine dust with 50 % of
the particles with grain sizes of less than 2 m. In order to have a waste gas temperature at the
filter system ranging from 130 - 240 C as well as a dry pump inlet temperature of maximum
50C, a gas cooling system is to be considered.
VI. Summary
RH and VTD plants have been compared and the selection of vacuum technology is dictated
by steel grade to be produced. From operational point of view, VTD is more simple as it is not
required special preparation e.g. vessel preheating, snorkel maintenance and exchange before
vacuum treatment. Principally, VTD treatment can be performed at any time provided that
vacuum pump is ready. However, carbon boiling and excessive slopping shall be taken care
during the operation. Decarburization performance of VTD is inferior compared to RH. The
degassing performance is more or less similar between both of these vacuum technologies.
Desulphurization can be better conducted on VTD by intensive reaction between metal and
slag under vacuum environment. Silicon pick-up shall be considered for silicon free steel by
controlling amount of slag carry over . On RH, desulphurization is done by blowing of fluxes
powder.

References
1.
2.
3.
4.

5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

H.P. Haastert, Entwicklungsrichtungen der Sekundrmetallurgie, im besonderen das RHVerfahren zur Vakuumbehandlung, Stahl und Eisen, 3, 1991, pp. 103-109.
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und Eisen, 11, 2006, pp. S109-S120.
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European Oxygen Steelmkaing Conference, Graz, Austria, 12th 15th May 2003.
Z. Zulhan, Y.A. Patriona, C. Schrade, Desulphurization of Molten Steel in RH-Degasser by
Powder Blowing to Produce Non Grain Oriented (NGO) Silicon Steel, SEAISI Quarterly Journal,
Vol. 42, No. 4, 2013, pp. 32-36.
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RH-reactor and its operation improvement, Trans. ISIJ, Vol. 28, 1988, pp. 305-314.
W. Coupette, Die Vakuumbehandlung des fluessigen Stahles, Rudolf A. Lang Verlag, 1967.
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Eisen, 19, 1987, pp. 867-874.
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Degas Tank for ULC Steel, ISS Tech 2003 Conference Proceedings, pp. 853-863.

10. N. Bannenberg, Ph. Chapellier, M. Nadif, Achievement of Ultra Low Carbon Steel in A Vacuum
Tank Degasser, 11th International Conference on Vacuum Metallurgy, ICVM 11, Antibes - Juanles-Pins, France, May 11-14, 1992.
11. M.M. Nzotta, D. Sichen, S. Seetharaman, Sulphide Capacities in Some Multi Component Slag
Systems, ISIJ International, 11, 1998, pp.1170-1179.

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12. M.A.T. Anderson, P.G. Joensson, M.M. Nzotta, Apllication of the Sulphide Capacity Concept on
High-Basicity Ladle Slags Used in Bearing-Steel Production, ISIJ International, 11, 1999, pp.
1140-1149.
13. R. Jiang, R.J. Fruehan, Slag Foaming in Bath Smelting, Metallurgical Transaction B, 22, 1991,
pp. 481-489.

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