On October 25th and 26th Industrial Química del Nalón held the XV International Meeting on cast iron processes and Cupolas at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Patio Herreriano, and Renault facilities in Valladolid.
Once again, the company has brought to the region some of the worldwide development promoters in the sector, showing their innovation technology processes and management. The event counted on representatives from the National Coal Institute (INCAR), members of the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) as well as representatives from highly prestigious firms at international level such as the German firm Küttner GMBH or the Spanish one Renault Motores Valladolid.
“Foundry, Time for Creativity and Innovation” is the motto for the meeting this year, a heading acquiring a greater sense when considering that this is a globalized sector with high technological requirements. The two-day meeting counted on 80 international professionals from the foundry and cupola sector.
A cupola is a foundry furnace consisting of a 10-metre high vertical steel equipment with a diameter varying from 0.5 to 3 metres. It is internally covered in refractory material. In the cupola, the metal load, the fuel (coke) and the oxidiser (hot air + oxygen) are in intimate contact among them. This allows for an active and direct heat exchange and therefore for a high performance.
The aims of this meeting are to provide the foundry sector with wide innovative vision answers to the expectations for the foreseeable future. They also provide a general revision of the several processes implied, favour the exchange of innovation and knowledge excellence experiences within an international forum, spread the latest technology advances and analyze the tendencies and developments for the coming years in the sector.
The first day of the meeting, Thursday 25th October, was developed around seven presentations offered by some of the experts and people responsible from some of the most innovative companies in the world in this subject.
The meeting program was rounded off with a visit to Renault facilities in Valladolid. Here the company produces engines and cars. The main visit was the Renault Z. E plant (Zero Emissions), where the electric vehicle Twizy is assembled.
Industrial Química del Nalón is a high quality coke supplier for the main foundries. The coke is a carbon porous mass industrially obtained by dry distillation of coking coal at high temperature and in lack of oxygen. The most important uses of coke are ferrous and non ferrous foundry, ferrous alloys, insulation and the chemical industry.
The program of the meeting was as follows:
Thursday 25th October
15:00 Attendants Reception
15:30 Welcome and presentation of the meeting: Joan Francesc Pellicer, meeting technical director
Coke in the Iron and Steel Industry: Mª Antonia Díez, National Coal Institute (CSIC)
Innovation when using secondary heat in cupola foundry: Michael Lemperle, Küttner GMBH
Hydrogen-free refractory savings when using cupolas: Klaus Stinzing, Calderys
Using commercial oxygen in cupolas: Antonio Tardio, Abello Linde
17:30 Break
World Foundry Organization: An international working network to service the foundry industry: Xabier Gonzalez, Tabira Foundry Institute (WFO)
Cupola waste: The need for management and valuation alternatives: Manuel Miranda, ITMA Foundation
Austempered Ductil Iron (ADI). Opportunities for innovation connected with its metallurgy and its applications: Julián Izaga, IK4 Azterlan
20:30 End
Friday, 26th October
09:30 Transfer to Renault Valladolid facilities.
10:00 Renault Presentation
- Visit to Renault Engine plant
- Visit to Renault ZE, Twizy assembly line
14:00 End
