Institute field trip 2016
© Christian Zaruba
Photo of the introductory lecture on the history and field of activity of Neuman Aluminum
This year's institute excursion took us on May 18th to Neuman Aluminum in Marktl in the Traisental. There we were welcomed by CEO Dr. Gerhard Anger gave a warm welcome and gave an introductory lecture explaining the history and field of activity of Neuman Aluminum. There has been a metalworking industry in Marktl since 1780. In 1880 Fried v. Neumann, which was founded in 1981 by entrepreneur Dr. group was taken over.
Around 90,000 t of aluminum are processed each year at nine locations worldwide. The strength of Neuman Aluminum is the fully integrated value chain. Around 55% of sales are generated with the automotive sector as a TIER 1 and TIER 2 supplier. Another 25% in the packaging sector, where mainly aerosol cans are produced. Other sales markets are the construction industry and mechanical engineering.
© Christian Zaruba
Photo of a smelting furnace
The alloy is set in a 16 t melting furnace,
© Christian Zaruba
Photo of a casting furnace
In the two casting furnaces, each with a capacity of 5.5 t, the remaining hydrogen is degassed with argon before sheet metal is produced.
© Christian Zaruba
Photo of the roller transport machine
The sheet metal is transported in rolls to the punching machines, where the slugs are produced for further processing in the extrusion plant. With toggle presses and hydraulic systems, the slugs are turned into finished parts or blanks for further processing. With the right heat treatment of the aluminum alloy, Neuman Aluminum can set the desired strength properties.
© Christian Zaruba
Photo of a punching machine
© Dagmar Fischer
Photo of aluminum bars
In the extrusion plant, complex solid and hollow profiles are pressed from the 6 m long aluminum rods. To do this, the bars are preheated and cut to length, further heated by induction and then pressed through the dies in a press that can press with up to 2500 tons. Incredibly impressive!
© Dagmar Fischer
Photo in the Neuman Aluminum extrusion plant
© Christian Zaruba
Photo of the snack at Neuman Aluminum
After the tours of the factory halls, we were strengthened with a snack and set off for the Zwentendorf nuclear power plant.
© Christian Zaruba
Welcome by EVN employees at the Zwentendorf nuclear power plant
After being welcomed by EVN employees, we were able to look forward to a guided tour of otherwise inaccessible areas of a nuclear power plant in a video that documented the construction of the "safest nuclear power plant in the world".
© Christian Zaruba
Group photo in the Zwentendorf nuclear power plant
Historical facts:
After approval, on April 4, 1972, the groundbreaking ceremony for the first of a total of three planned nuclear power plants in Austria was celebrated. After a construction period of only four years, trial operation of the power plant with an output of 730 MW could begin, but the plant was first checked for two years using electrically produced steam. However, the counter-movement to nuclear power was growing and so a referendum was held in 1978.
However, the government around Bruno Kreisky had not expected a negative result. With a difference of only about 30,000 votes against the nuclear power plant, it was prevented from being put into operation. The "Nuclear Blocking Act" was passed in the same year, laying the foundation for a nuclear power-free Austria.
At least after the Chernobyl disaster, many previous supporters were also happy about this decision. Until then, the construction and the conservation operation had cost around one billion euros. Some of the 200 or so employees who were already employed found jobs in other areas of the energy industry or in nuclear power plants in Germany. The collecting society managed to sell some of the technology to structurally identical nuclear power plants, so the Zwentendorf nuclear power plant served as a spare parts store for many years.
In 2005 the power plant was bought by EVN. This also includes the permits that could easily enable EVN to construct another power plant at this location at any time. Annual visitor numbers of around 12,000 people and the possibility of holding training courses still make the buildings interesting.
© Dagmar Fischer
Photo of the washroom with protective clothing in the Zwentendorf nuclear power plant
© Christian Zaruba
Group photo in the control room of the Zwentendorf nuclear power plant
After the processes of the employees were explained to us, we were able to visit the control room. Incidentally, the red telephone was installed later for film purposes, while the red white red telephone actually had a direct connection to the federal government.
© Dagmar Fischer
Photo of a low-pressure turbine in the Zwentendorf nuclear power plant
One of the three open low-pressure turbines
© Dagmar Fischer
Photo of the view into the reactor room
and the view from above into the reactor room is very impressive.
© Dagmar Fischer
Photo of the machine room in the Zwentendorf nuclear power plant
In the engine room, the superheated steam would be expanded by a high-pressure turbine and three low-pressure turbines. The condensation would have taken over the cooling water from the Danube.
© Dagmar Fischer
Photo of the control rods under the reactor room
The control rods, which are retracted electrically during normal operation, are located under the reactor chamber. In the event of a malfunction, however, they could also be "shot" between the fuel elements hydraulically within just 2 seconds.
© Dagmar Fischer
Group photo in front of the Zwentendorf nuclear power plant
Nach der Führung und einem Gruppenfoto brachen wir weiter auf nach Dürnstein um nach dem doch sehr dicht gepackten Programm nun noch ein wenig Naturgenuss in der Wachau zu erleben.
© Christian Zaruba
Photo of the Dürnstein castle ruins
© Chhristian Zaruba
View from the ruins of Dürnstein down to the Danube
Der kurze Aufstieg von etwa 20 Minuten zur Burgruine Dürnstein bescherte uns einen wunderbaren Ausblick.
© Christian Zaruba
Group photo at the ruins of Dürnstein
Zum historischen Hintergrund der Burg und des Ortes wurde uns von Dagmar ein geschichtlicher Überblick gegeben. So wurde beispielsweise Richard Löwenherz um 1193 hier gefangen gehalten und für ein Lösegeld von 23 t Silber wieder freigelassen.
© Christian Zaruba
Group photo in front of the church and Dürnstein Abbey
© Dagmar Fischer
Group photo at the wine tavern in Dürnstein
Nachdem wir nun doch etwas erschöpft wieder in den Ort Dürnstein zurückkehrten wurden wir sogleich im „Alter Klosterkeller“ herzlichst empfangen und bewirtet. Bei geselliger Stimmung konnten wir uns kulinarisch verwöhnen lassen und traten so wieder gestärkt und fast pünktlich die Heimreise nach Wien an.
© Dagmar Fischer
Group photo at the wine tavern in Dürnstein