THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
ROURKELA, MAY 28, 2026
The Refractories Engineering Department of Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP)
achieved several record-breaking milestones during FY 2025-26 through focused
technological interventions, scientific refractory management and close inter-departmental
coordination, significantly enhancing steelmaking efficiency, equipment
reliability and cost optimisation across major production units.
A major breakthrough came from the SMS-II Converter, which recorded its
best-ever yearly average life of 7566.67 heats, generating a financial benefit
of around Rs. 3.46 crore. The milestone was achieved through stringent process
control, optimisation of blowing practices, effective slag management, timely
gunning and patching, continuous monitoring of process parameters and extensive
use of laser scanner technology for precise lining assessment and corrective
planning.
The department also delivered outstanding performance in steel ladles.
CCM-II Steel Ladle clocked the highest ladle life of 210 heats in January 2026,
the best in SAIL, while CCM-II registered its best-ever yearly average ladle
life of 147 heats, generating a financial benefit of Rs. 23.35 lakh. The
achievement was enabled through optimised refractory selection, disciplined
operational practices, efficient slag and temperature management, timely
maintenance and strong coordination among Operations, Refractories and
Maintenance teams.
In another significant accomplishment, the RH-OB unit recorded its
best-ever yearly average life of 150 heats, also the best in SAIL, generating a
financial benefit of Rs. 37.50 lakh. Several focused initiatives, including
optimised lining practices, improved maintenance systems, thermographic
monitoring and regular thermal scanning, helped enhance snorkel reliability,
RH-OB availability and clean steel quality for strategic sectors such as
defence, space and infrastructure.
The SMS-I Converter also registered remarkable improvement, with
Converter ‘Q’ achieving the highest converter life of 2172 heats in February
2026, resulting in a financial benefit of Rs. 43.19 lakh. Similarly, CCM-I
Steel Ladle achieved its best-ever yearly average life of 90.77 heats during FY
2025-26.
Notably, refractories form the protective lining of high-temperature
steelmaking vessels and play a critical role in ensuring productivity,
operational safety, energy efficiency and steel quality. Improvement in
refractory life helps reduce shutdowns, lower refractory consumption and ensure
stable and uninterrupted steel production.
