Siheyuan: Craftsmen of a Great Country

Chapter 362: Historical moment, the first furnace of steel
From theory to practice, it has always been an important step in the field of scientific research.

If something can only be realized in a laboratory, it can only prove that the technology of this thing has achieved a breakthrough.

If it cannot be put into production, this thing will not have much practical significance.

The time for the official opening of the furnace is getting closer and closer.

The steelmaking workers headed by Su Changming have made all preparations.

The molten iron melted in the open-hearth furnace has been hoisted next to the converter.

He controls the oxygen blowing himself, and another worker is responsible for the inert gas blowing.

The oxygen concentrator Lou Zhenhua chose has quite comprehensive functions. According to the different boiling points of various types of air, it can not only separate oxygen, but also nitrogen and other inert gases.

Xie Ruyu took the watch in his hand and looked at the time on it carefully.

Afraid of being too late or too early.

Su Changming nodded and gave the order loudly: "Open the furnace!"

The temperature inside the converter quickly rose to 1600 degrees.

There was a clear sound of metal friction, and the cover of the converter was opened.

Violent chemical reactions are taking place in the converter.

As hot molten iron is injected into the converter, pure oxygen is blown in from the top and nitrogen is blown in from the bottom to enhance stirring.

When the pointer pointed to ten past ten, Xue Ruyu raised his head: "Open the furnace and make steel!"

"Inject molten iron!"

Many of them were participating in converter steelmaking for the first time. Even though they had received training before, they were still a little nervous.

"Nitrogen blow in!"

"The temperature monitoring is turned on and will report every 30 seconds. Abnormal temperature will be reported immediately!"

All steelmaking workers will only follow Su Changming's instructions.

Since there were quite a few veterans among them, everything went relatively smoothly.

Of course, his words can only serve as a reminder.

"Blowing in 99.5% pure oxygen."

Fortunately, with Su Changming in charge, everyone has a backbone.

Then it remains stable at around 1650 degrees.

Substances such as silicon and carbon in iron react with pure oxygen in a high-temperature environment to release a large amount of heat, causing the converter temperature to continue to rise.

The iron is then refined into steel.

"Close the stove lid."

Su Changming issued the instructions in an orderly manner, and the workers also carried out the instructions in an orderly manner.

Nothing unexpected happened.

This is almost the optimal steelmaking temperature.

If the temperature is too high, it means that the violent reaction may cause risks, and the energy consumption is too fast and the steel forming rate is not high.

If the temperature is too low, it will naturally be impossible to practice steel.

While Lu Yuehua was observing the situation nervously, he briefly explained to Shangguan Wan'er the key points and precautions of converter steelmaking.

Shangguan Wan'er listened very carefully.

Although there are many professional things that she cannot understand yet, she can write them down first and then look up the information or ask her master for advice later.

To study, she used her special memory to sum up a set of methods that were only suitable for her.

"Take out the steel!"

Su Changming gave the last order.

The fiery red molten steel flows from the converter into a container on the track below.

Then quickly finalize and transfer.

After all, Shijingshan is a professional steelmaking plant with complete equipment and supporting systems. It is naturally not comparable to the temporary facilities built by laboratories for experiments.

At this time, Xie Ruyu breathed a sigh of relief.

I thought to myself that the old factory director's time was still effective, and the steelmaking was indeed smoother this time.

He tried hard to calm down his excitement and said loudly: "I announce that the Shijingshan Steelmaking Plant's first converter steelmaking production practice was a complete success, and we presented a gift created with our own hands to the May Day." The total time for this steelmaking was 17 minutes and 36 seconds, which was within the standard range.”

After speaking, take the lead in applauding.

Thunderous applause erupted from the scene.

There were also a lot of excited cheers in the middle.

Everyone had done their homework before coming and knew that it only takes more than ten minutes to make steel in a converter.

But seeing it with your own eyes is far more shocking than reading it in the newspapers.

Moreover, this is a 200-ton converter, several times the size of a laboratory experimental converter.

Also excited was Luo Yunyang.

This was the first time he saw steel-making in a converter, and he only had one thought in his mind:
Is this the converter steelmaking we want to promote?

17 minutes, two hundred tons of steel.

It's really powerful.

If this kind of converter were standing all over the place where flowers are grown, I can’t imagine how much steel we could smelt in a year.

Now this burden falls on my shoulders. I must do this well and not leave any regrets to the flower growers or myself.

He secretly made up his mind.

Zhou Xinjian looked at Jiang Chen: "What do you think?"

Jiang Chen said: "There are some small flaws, and the quality of the steel may be slightly affected, but overall, it is considered a success."

"When they finish their work later, I'll just give them a little boost."

Now everyone is cheering and celebrating.

Jiang Chen naturally wouldn't disturb the scenery.

Besides, it's really not a big problem.

A little tweaking will do the trick.

Zhou Xinjian nodded, turned to Xie Ruyu and said, "Congratulations, Director Xie, for taking a historic step. From today on, Shijingshan Steelmaking Plant will be remembered by history."

Xie Ruyu said: "Shijingshan can't be what it is today without the support of the leaders above and the Ministry of Industry. We will keep all this in mind and strive to make greater contributions."

Zhou Xinjian patted him on the shoulder: "We are all old comrades. I won't say anything unnecessary. Pay attention to production safety."

"come on!"

This is also the first major move in the industrial sector since he became minister.

He still attaches great importance to Shi Jingshan's May Day gift.

Fortunately, Shi Jingshan didn't hit him in the face.

This also allowed him to come out of the haze of Yang Weimin's death a little bit.

After the steelmaking was successful, Shi Jingshan's leaders and representatives were interviewed by media reporters.

Zhou Xinjian, Luo Yunyang, and Jiang Chen stopped trying to steal the limelight.

They quietly left the viewing area and came to a corner to smoke!

Zhou Xinjian said: "Mr. Luo, Xiao Jiang, the effectiveness of converter steelmaking has just been confirmed."

"Next, the promotion of this matter depends on the combination of you, the old and the young!"

Luo Yunyang nodded and said seriously: "Mr. Zhou, even if you don't tell me, I will definitely go all out."

"This is the foundation and hope for us to stand up."

Zhou Xinjian nodded: "One year, no, two months ago, I never dared to imagine that our industry could lead the world."

"Even now, I feel like I'm in a dream, so unreal."

These two people have come through the most painful and frustrating years, and have seen too much sadness and helplessness.

Therefore, when converter steelmaking is now 20 years ahead of the world, their feelings are much deeper than Jiang Chen's.

Of course, they didn't know that even without Jiang Chen, the flower growing industry would rise and explode in the new century.

Become a presence that makes the world look at you and terrify your opponents.

(End of this chapter)