The gas holder system and steelmaking & continuous casting system of Xinjiang Yili Steel which was supplied by CISDI on EPC basis successfully passed the hot on-load test in early September, 2011, marking the achievement of a major milestone for the project.

The 100,000 m³ BF gas holder system was put into operation on September 6^th, 2011. With spray cooling device, the BFG temperature was strictly controlled below 60℃ and charged into the gas holder with initial volume at 75,000m³. During gas charging, the piston of BF gas holder has worked stably and the oil pump station run properly, with all technical data reaching the designed value. At the end of gas charging, the regulation valve of mixing station opened to feed BFG to rolling mill users steadily. Meanwhile, the 50,000m³ converter gas holder and related wet electrostatic precipitator, converter gas compressor were tested and proved ready for operation.

September 12^th witnessed the successful hot test of 60t converter and 5-strand billet caster. Both heats have been casted continuously, and the billet length and flatness were proved satisfactory.

CISDI shall continue to provide theoretical guidance and technical assistance for Phase II of this project by optimizing the design concept and construction organization.