Magnetic Filtration Cleans Up In New Zealand

The global appeal of magnetic filtration was demonstrated by the recent news that our Automag AM12 filtration units have now been installed at New Zealand’s leading steel-producing plant.

Based in Glenbrook near Auckland, Bluescope New Zealand Steel employs 1400 people and produces 670,000 tonnes of steel each year for construction, manufacturing, and agricultural markets.

During the process, cold-rolled steel is delivered to the metal coating line, where it passes through a cleaning station before travelling through the final annealing process. During the cleaning process, the steel passes through a caustic soda tank and hot water spray to remove the rolling oil and iron fines.

Four Automags have been installed to filter caustic solution in a dip tank and a hot water supply to spray tanks. Each Automag is fitted to a 9000-litre tank, and the solutions flow through at 450 to 800 litres per minute, depending on the tank.

The project was initiated as part of a continual improvement programme. The Bluescope quality assurance team identified an opportunity to improve steel quality consistency and reduce chemical solution consumption. Inadequate filtration was allowing iron oxide particles to accumulate in the wash solutions, thereby rendering the fluids ineffective and forming oxide deposits on the steel surface. As ferrous particles passed down the line, they also caused a loss in performance on the spray nozzles.

After researching the filtration options available, the Bluescope Team opted for Automag magnetic filters due to their fine particle extraction capability and automated cleaning function. Four units are now installed, and the filters have reduced the contamination in the tanks by around 60%.

Rafael Rios, Project Manager of this project, commented, “We chose Automag because its fine particle filtration capability provides better protection for our fluids, products, and existing equipment. We have already verified that the project meets our objectives of improving product quality and reducing chemical consumption and water waste. Automation was also a big factor, as we could operate all four filters from only one control unit. We recommend the Automag AM12 system, a very effective magnetic filter that is almost maintenance-free and simple to install and operate.”

Dave Smith, Sales & Marketing Director at Eclipse Magnetics, commented, “We were delighted to have the opportunity to work with such a prestigious name as Bluescope New Zealand Steel. It was a pleasure to work with their team during the commissioning process, and we are delighted that the Automag units are making a positive difference to their processes”. 

Click here to find out more about Bluescope New Zealand Steel. To find out more about Automag please contact us or click here.