A heat wave surged in the factory, with the average temperature reaching as high as 40 degrees Celsius. This was caused by the accumulated heat released by the continuous operation of the test furnace and pouring operations. The internal environment was as harsh and cruel as a steamer, and the soldiers and workers inside were all sweating.
But no one ever cried out about pain or tiredness. They all silently stayed at their posts and did what they were supposed to do.
Persistence is victory!
"Buzz!" The sounds of the 100-level air separation equipment and oxygen lances complement each other, playing a familiar and rhythmic steelmaking symphony. The supersonic oxygen jet is divided into three streams, constantly impacting the molten pool of the test furnace below, causing the high-temperature molten iron to surge and circulate.
, melt various elements contained in molten iron.
"High gun slag removal." In the main control room, Yu Hua's forehead was covered with fine sweat after staying up all day and night. He stared intently at the test furnace in the blowing state and gave the slag removal command to the oxygen gun operator.
Now, the test furnace contains the last batch of molten steel. If nothing goes wrong, this will be the last batch of molten steel in this trial production. Its success will determine the final output record.
In the past 23 hours, the test furnace has successfully blown 46 furnaces of molten steel, with the output reaching 92.6 tons. The ratio of designed output to actual output is approximately 96.4%.
If this furnace of molten steel is successful, the actual production ratio will reach 98%!
At this time, the atmosphere was tense and solemn.
The commander of the engineering team, Yang Zhi, and the relevant personnel of the Engineering Department stayed in the main control room, holding their breath and paying attention to the blowing conditions of the test furnace. Although they could not understand it at all, it did not hinder anything.
The oxygen lance operator operated in an orderly manner. The oxygen lance supplied oxygen to blow the molten iron, causing the limestone and melting aid to quickly slag. Not long after, the initial blowing time of the test furnace using the single slag method was reached. Then Yu Hua ordered again, the oxygen lance
Lower to the gun height and enter the rapid decarburization stage.
Three minutes.
Five minutes.
Eight minutes.
When the temperature of the molten iron in the molten pool of the test furnace is accelerated to 1,600 degrees Celsius, the carbon content decreases at a rate visible to the naked eye, and the physical properties change to molten steel.
When the gun reaches the expected decarbonization time, the oxygen gun returns to the initial position, the oxygen supply is terminated, and the air separation equipment shuts down.
At the same time, the base of the converter is tilted, the furnace body is tilted slowly, and the tapping port is aligned with the ladle containing silicon-manganese elements and deoxidizer located directly below.
Bright yellow high-temperature molten steel rushes out like the waves of the Yangtze River and pours into the inside of the ladle.
In an instant, a high-temperature heat wave swept around like a shock wave. The silicon and manganese elements quickly melted and reacted when they came into contact with the molten steel, changing the composition of the molten steel. The deoxidizer quickly reduced the oxygen content inside the molten steel.
This is a furnace of high-carbon steel with a carbon content of about 0.8%. Silicon-manganese elements are added to improve the composition and transform into high-quality alloy silicon-manganese spring steel. It is suitable for springs and leaf springs that bear high loads. It is used for Red Star tractors and traction artillery.
.
The demand for spring steel is not large, but the technical requirements are high. If the performance of the spring steel is not up to standard, the Red Star tractor cannot withstand the load caused by the ten-ton overload, and the same is true for the 105mm howitzer traction device.
One furnace of silicomanganese spring steel is enough for eight Red Star tractors, or fifteen 105mm howitzers.
With five minutes left, as the height of the molten pool in the test furnace dropped to the warning position, the two furnace foremen controlled the slag ball delivery device and sent the slag ball into the furnace body.
The slag ball delivery device has a simple structure, with a spoon-shaped head, about four meters long, and an electric hoist connected in the middle. It is based on the lever principle and is mainly operated by humans. The industrial version is about 0.2.
Slag blocking, skimming, pouring.
The high-temperature molten steel, which is the core of the entire venue, is poured out steadily, poured into square molds one after another, and cast into steel ingots.
With the completion of the pouring operation, the last batch of molten steel for the first trial production has been smelted.
Everything, the dust has settled.
Now, all that needs to be done is to wait for the molten steel to cool and form, and then accurately weigh it to obtain the final actual daily production data.
The actual weight of each furnace of molten steel is different, and there are errors. Some are heavy and some are light. The error is about 1%-3%. The reason for the actual weight error is very simple, and the amount of molten steel cannot be accurately controlled.
The factory fell into a quiet, expectant silence. The workers and warriors of all the production units in the Sanchawan factory were all silently waiting for the final results, and everyone was filled with hope.
Time passed, and the second and minute hands of the watch returned to zero at the same time. The time was fixed at 11:00 in the morning. The furnace of silicon-manganese spring steel had been cooling for more than thirty minutes and had crystallized.
"Collect the weight parameters of the 47th furnace of molten steel." In the main control room, Yu Hua stood tall, like a majestic mountain standing at the front. The golden mathematical symbols continuously released a cold meaning, dispelling the fatigue caused by high-intensity work. He looked at it
The watch gets the time and immediately issues the command.
In an instant, the chief dispatcher waved the flag and conveyed instructions to the production team in the pouring area.
The pouring production team was busy non-stop, carrying out demoulding operations, opening the mold and taking out the red square ingots one by one, weighing and recording the data in sequence, and finally the team leader personally sent them to the main control room and handed them over to Yu Hua.
Yu Hua received the weight parameter information about the forty-seventh furnace of molten steel, extracted all the above weighing data and calculated it, and obtained the actual weight of the forty-seventh furnace of molten steel.
The actual weight of the 47th batch of molten steel produced in the test furnace: 2.05 tons.
Immediately afterwards, Yu Hua comprehensively calculated the actual weight data of the 47th furnace of molten steel and the actual weight data of the 46 furnaces of molten steel in the past 23 hours, and obtained data such as hourly production data and 24-hour production change curve, and obtained a
A simple and intuitive data visualization sketch.
In the main control room, Yang Zhi, comrades from the Works Department, comrades from the security department, and guard Lu Junyu were extremely nervous. Their eyes were fixed on Yu Hua who was writing, knowing that the final result was about to be announced.
After two minutes, Yu Hua stopped writing, picked up the report recording the twenty-four-hour steel production data, and faced Yang Zhi and others with a faint smile on his face.
"The trial production data of the oxygen top-blown converter project are as follows: the actual steel output in 24 hours is 94.65 tons, the average single furnace output is 2.01 tons, the hourly output is 3.94 tons, the ratio to the designed output is 98.5%, and there are five types of smelting steel.
Including medium-carbon steel, high-carbon steel, chromium-nickel-molybdenum alloy stainless steel, silicon-manganese spring steel, and silicon steel. The actual daily output and steel type have reached the trial production index requirements, and the personnel operation has made zero mistakes. It is allowed to pass the acceptance and enter the industrial production stage.
"
"Everyone, the steel age that belongs to China is here."
The final results of the trial production were announced. From this moment on, the field of iron and steel metallurgy entered a new era. The base area in the industrial desert surpassed the world and entered the era of oxygen steelmaking in one fell swoop.
This is...a steel age unique to China.
Time is frozen, history is frozen.
boom!
In an instant, after a brief shock, the factory building suddenly fell into a commotion. Everyone was filled with tears, extremely excited, and cheered to vent their inner emotions.
Did it!
They have always suffered discrimination and humiliation from all countries, and they did it!
What is an industrial desert?
The entire China is an industrial desert on earth, with a land area of more than 10 million square kilometers, but no real industrial system. Not only is it unable to produce various machines and equipment, it cannot even produce 100,000 tons of steel annually.
In a country with more than 10 million square kilometers, the annual steel production is only 40,000 tons. This is a complete industrial desert!
The Chinese have always been looked down upon by others and regarded by Westerners as the sick men of East Asia who always wear a whip!
However, today is different, and it will be different from this moment on. Through unremitting efforts and dedication, they have successfully mastered the epoch-making iron and steel metallurgical technology.
If the "skinny man" of mankind's first atomic bomb produced by the Manhattan Project has divided nuclear physics into two sections, then the importance of oxygen top-blown converter technology is equivalent to the "skinny man" in the field of metallurgy.
The history of the iron and steel metallurgy world is divided into two sections.
At 11:05 am on August 4, 1937, the trial production of the oxygen top-blown converter was successful. This epoch-making metallurgical technology moved from experimental to industrial production.
A cutting-edge metallurgical technology for mankind was quietly born.
The whole news swept through the factory like a hurricane, and then spread throughout Sancha Bay in an instant. More than a thousand officers and men of the Red 1st Division who had fought for dozens of days and nights were extremely excited. The workers affiliated with the Military Industry Bureau were even three points more excited.
.
They are happy, they are excited, they cry.
No one understands the significance of oxygen blowing furnace technology better than these military workers.
The foundation for eternity is completed today!
"After half a year, the original idea was finally successful. With this dragon-slaying technique, I believe the organization will be much better off than in the past. There are still about three months until the start of school. Next, electroslag remelting and 105
The millimeter howitzer is done." Yu Hua looked at the scene of workers and soldiers cheering and excited in the factory, a comfortable smile appeared on his face, and he thought silently in his mind.
The passing of trial production means that the oxygen blowing furnace technology has been successfully developed in a real sense, but this is not enough. If a 105mm howitzer is to be developed, the front-end technology of electroslag remelting technology must be turned on.
Fortunately, Yu Hua had a detailed understanding of everything from the 105mm howitzer to the electroslag remelting technology.
There is no way, the former is the first 105mm howitzer in history with a 360° shooting angle, and the latter is the famous three advanced metallurgical processes.
As a hardcore military fan, if you don’t understand these military technologies, how can you have the nerve to claim the title of a hardcore military fan?
Air separation equipment lays the foundation for oxygen supply for oxygen blowing furnaces. Oxygen blowing furnaces lay the foundation for high-quality raw material supply for electroslag remelting. Electroslag remelting lays the material foundation for large-caliber artillery gun steel. Such is the development in the technical field.
They are linked together, and nothing can be done without anyone, let alone being so ambitious that they can overtake in corners just by opening their mouths.
Some roads have no curves.
"Captain Yang, please send a message to the headquarters to report good news." Yu Hua looked at the emotional Yang Zhi beside him and said with a smile.
"Yes, chief engineer!" Upon hearing this, Yang Zhi reacted immediately and quickly turned around and left.
"Comrade Tao, the trial production has passed. I will return to Yancheng immediately to handle the work. The Yulin Iron and Steel Plant will be handed over to you."
After Yang Zhi left, Yu Hua turned to look at Tao Mingda, the latest person in charge of Yulin Steel Plant next to him, and said seriously: "Steel production is not a trivial matter. After you take over, don't rush to increase production in the early stage. You should focus on quality.
The reason is that the transportation capacity is insufficient and the supporting facilities are not up to standard. Secondly, oxygen steelmaking is too advanced and high-end for the organization. It is easy to cause problems if you rush to pursue production. You should be familiar with the oxygen blowing process, master the essentials, and accumulate rich steelmaking experience before pursuing
Yield."
"Regarding the steelmaking production process, workers must be strictly required to abide by the "Oxygen Blowing Production Management Regulations" and quality should be given top priority."
Quality first!
This is the most important thing.
Although the oxygen blowing furnace is successful, it does not mean that the Military Industry Bureau can play it successfully. From a realistic point of view, it is difficult to fully understand such cutting-edge metallurgical process equipment in a year.
If you rush to pursue output, problems can easily arise.
This is what Yu Hua doesn't want to see.
"Yes, you must abide by the rules and regulations!" Tao Mingda looked serious, with respect in his eyes, stood at attention, nodded, and replied seriously.
He is full of respect for Yu Hua, the creator of the oxygen blowing furnace, even though Yu Hua is ten years younger than him.
Yulin Steel Plant can do without Tao Mingda, it can do without its leader Chen Kang, it can do without Yang Zhi of the engineering team, but it absolutely cannot do without Yu Hua.
It can be said without politeness - without Yuhua, there would be no oxygen blowing furnace.
Tao Mingda is an old man who lived in the Guantian Arsenal. He once served as the director of the Miscellaneous Equipment Factory. He graduated from Suzhou Middle School in Jiangsu Province with a high school degree and has a good knowledge reserve and cultural foundation.
He was originally still studying at Kangda University, but Chen Kang sent a transfer order and transferred Tao Mingda from Kangda University to serve as the director of Yulin Iron and Steel Plant.
The academic qualifications awarded by high schools in the Republic of China, no matter where they are placed, are regarded as high-level intellectuals. They are rare high-level talents in the organizational team.
"In addition, I would like to give credit to Sun Hong from the lifting team, Wang Qiang and Luo Hongtao from the furnace team. Sun Hong performed well during the first smelting test and trial production, completing every lifting job without mistakes, and was very skilled.
Rewards should be given to Wang Qiang and Luo Hongtao for risking their lives to ensure the smelting of molten steel."
Yu Hua changed the topic and continued: "This request for credit is in my name and reported to the Military Industry Bureau through the steel factory."
Please give me credit, please give me credit in the name of chief engineer!
Sun Hong, the crane worker, and Wang Qiang and Luo Hongtao, the furnace workers, were the outstanding performers during the first smelting and trial production period. Yu Hua saw the efforts of the three of them and should be rewarded.
"Please take credit? Okay, I understand." Hearing this, Tao Mingda was startled, a little surprised, and nodded quickly.
I have to say that Comrades Sun Hong, Wang Qiang, and Luo Hongtao are really lucky.
After talking about the matter of asking for credit, Yu Hua finally said: "If there are technical problems in the steel production process, try to solve the small problems by yourself, and give me power for the big problems, but the technicians have to think hard. Okay, that's basically what I want to say, Comrade Tao
, do you have any questions?"
"Chief engineer, can we hold a celebration banquet for the oxygen blowing furnace?" Tao Mingda asked.
"Let's go, let the soldiers and every worker involved in the construction of the steel plant participate. Let everyone relax, and I won't participate." Yu Hua smiled and said, "Do you still have any questions?"
He didn't have time to attend the celebration party. The oxygen blowing furnace was completed, and the Red Star tractor project was still waiting for him to put out the fire. This was an urgent matter and could not be delayed.
The problem of insufficient transportation capacity has fundamentally restricted the industrial development and production in the base area. In terms of the transportation capacity quota allocated to the Yulin Steel Plant, it can produce up to five tons of steel per day.
Yes, only five tons, because one ton of steel requires four tons of raw materials, and the Yulin Steel Plant has a transportation capacity quota of twenty tons.
This is a limitation of objective conditions and a shortcoming faced by the Military Industry Bureau in its industrial construction.
Tao Mingda shook his head.
"Comrade Tao, goodbye then." Yu Hua said goodbye with a smile.
"Goodbye, chief engineer." Tao Mingda straightened his face and raised his hand in salute.
Yu Hua smiled, said nothing, and quietly left the busy factory building, leaving everything here to Tao Mingda.
For the upcoming stage of large-scale industrial production, this is not something he should worry about.
As the same saying goes, we only work on technology and will never interfere with any arrangements of the organization.
Yu Hua did not want to interfere, and could not interfere. He did not want to put his limited energy and time into these aspects.
It was approaching noon, and the sky was clear and cloudless.
The sun hanging at the top of the sky is particularly bright, shining the light of hope on this land.
Bathed in the sunshine and with a smile, Yu Hua once again set foot on the road back to Yancheng, lay leisurely in the truck bed covered with straw, and fell asleep comfortably.
I haven't rested for nearly thirty hours, and my body has already reached its limit.
This night, Yu Hua slept very comfortably.
The first big goal I set at the beginning was gradually realized step by step with my own efforts. This level of accomplishment has far exceeded any previous experience or feeling of pretentiousness.
Oxygen top-blown converter technology in 1937...
…
On the outskirts of Berlin, a tank proving ground belonging to the Army Weapons Agency.
The sun was scorching in the sky, the temperature was hot, and the heat wave was rolling and twisting on the lawn. On both sides of the test site stood tall soldiers wearing standard German uniforms. They had standard military postures, carrying Mauser 98K standard rifles on their backs, and wearing M35 steel helmets.
Keep scanning your surroundings back and forth and remain highly alert.
The Berlin Tank Proving Ground is the main site for the Army Weapons Agency to develop and test tanks. Panzer I, Panzer II, and Panzer III, including the Panzer IV under development, have all been tested here.
Today, the tank proving ground welcomed an unusual 'guest'.
In the center of the test site, a tank, no, to be precise, the body of a tank, was parked quietly in the center of the armor test area. There was no artillery, no turret, not even a tank engine and transmission system.
This is a shell.
But this shell revealed an unusual aura.
Because the frontal armor of the tank body is not designed vertically, but has an inclination angle of 60 degrees from the normal line!
An unknown new tank body protection test is about to begin.
"Hermann, what do you think of Henschel's 35-ton tank plan?" Guderian, who exuded elegance like an aristocrat, stood in the observation area of the test site, holding high-power optical telescopes in both hands.
He looked at the thirty-five-ton tank body a thousand meters away and asked Hermann, the commander of the test site next to him.
"General, I can't make any comments, because the design of the frontal armor of this tank is completely beyond my imagination. I have never thought that the concept of sloped armor used on naval battleships can be applied to tanks. In fact,
If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes today, I still wouldn't know the concept of sloped armor." Colonel Herman shook his head and answered, looking at the tank body at the one-thousand-meter test point in the armor test area of the proving ground, full of amazement.
"Not only that, this new tank also uses our newly developed Y-type armor steel. If nothing else, there may be a big surprise today." Guderian smiled.
PS: Sorry, I have been delayed by things in real life these days. I went to the hospital for a check-up because of severe pain in my waist. I listened to the doctor and rested for a while. I feel much better today, so I got up and rushed.