Improved power supply performance for the electrolytic tinning line at thyssenkrupp Rasselstein

thyssenkrupp Rasselstein has awarded SMS group the contract to supply switch-mode power modules for its electrolytic tinning (tinplate) line in Andernach, Germany, which was supplied by SMS group in 2005. 44 X-Pact^® High Current switch-mode rectifiers, to be installed in November 2024, will enable thyssenkrupp Rasselstein to achieve maximum process-oriented power supply performance for its electrolytic tinning line and contribute to its goal of more sustainable packaging steel production.

SMS’s extensive expertise and years of experience in plant engineering and construction for electrolytic strip treatment processes and in the field of energy supply are what makes SMS group’s integrated solution for this type of equipment stand out.

44 X-Pact^® High Current switch-mode rectifiers replace the existing thyristor system
Forward-looking technology for more sustainable tinplate production
The new system enables maximum process-oriented power supply performance with a low level of maintenance
New surface possibilities for packaging steel thanks to the pulse plating technology

The existing thyristor system will be replaced with X-Pact^® High Current switch mode rectifiers that incorporate a switching regulator to convert electrical power efficiently. Unlike thyristors, these power supply units switch on and off rapidly at high frequency, which allows for better control of the output voltage and current. This rapid switching minimizes wasted energy, resulting in higher efficiency and less heat generation. SMS group has brought this technology to market maturity for electrolytic strip treatment.

X-Pact^® High Current represents a technically and economically outstanding solution that boasts high energy efficiency levels (up to more than 94 percent) over the entire working range and shows significantly better performance with regard to ripples in the provided DC current, cos phi, and control accuracy. The high intermediate circuit frequency of the switch-mode power supply units not only enables high control speeds, it also opens up new possibilities for the process itself.

The system provides significant energy savings and reduces the costs of installation, commissioning, and maintenance. Thanks to modularization, fewer spare parts are required. In the event of a failure of modules or towers, other modules take over automatically, which significantly increases availability compared to previous systems based on individual towers.

Using forward-looking technologies such as pulse plating, the switch-mode rectifiers from SMS group provide surface design tools with alternative DC modes that were not previously possible with thyristor DC systems. The pulse/pulse reverse plating functionality offers another powerful solution. The option of specifying freely selectable pulse patterns for the DC current means this technology can be used for the further development and optimization of different processes. This advantage will continue to positively influence improvements in the near future, demonstrating thyssenkrupp Rasselstein’s commitment to continuous process optimization and energy efficiency in the production of packaging steel.

thyssenkrupp Rasselstein GmbH is a subsidiary of thyssenkrupp Steel Europe and ranks among the three largest packaging steel producers in Europe. At the world’s largest production site for packaging steel in Andernach, Germany, thyssenkrupp Rasselstein produces tinned and special chromium-coated thin sheet (tinplate) on the basis of cold-rolled sheet steel. At Rasselstein, SMS group has built an integrated tinning line featuring innovative technologies. From the mechanical equipment to the complete electrical and automation systems, supply facilities, pollution control and acid regeneration systems, everything comes from a single source.

Electrolytic tinning line at thyssenkrupp Rasselstein, supplied by SMS group in 2005

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Improved power supply performance for the electrolytic tinning line at thyssenkrupp Rasselstein

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