Title

LOW COST HOT METAL: THE FUTURE OF BLAST FURNACE IRON–MAKING

LOW COST HOT METAL: THE FUTURE OF BLAST FURNACE IRON–MAKING

Authorship

Geerdes, Maarten; Laar, Reinoud van; Kaptein, Frank; Gravemaker, Geert–Jan

Geerdes, Maarten

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Laar, Reinoud van

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Kaptein, Frank

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Gravemaker, Geert–Jan

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DOI

10.5151/2594-357X-0002

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Abstract

The presentation addresses: Continuous operation at high coal injection rates (> 200 kg/tHM), low coke rates (< 300 kg/tHM) and high productivity is possible. It will be shown that application of increased oxygen enrichment of the wind compensates for adverse effects of high PCI levels (notably permeability and presence of unburnt char in top gas). Application of higher oxygen enrichment leads to a top gas product with a higher calorific value, which allows for higher value applications of top gas (e.g. less natural gas enrichment requirements for firing the hot blast stoves, power generation, etc.). Utilization of the “coal gasification capabilities” of the blast furnace allows for an operational area, where the value of the top gas increases from 10% of the total product value (hot metal and gas) to more than 25%. Blast furnace lining designs capable of achieving long campaigns while maintaining a stable inner profile allowing for stable burden descent, which is essential in high productivity blast furnace iron– making.

The presentation addresses: Continuous operation at high coal injection rates (> 200 kg/tHM), low coke rates (< 300 kg/tHM) and high productivity is possible. It will be shown that application of increased oxygen enrichment of the wind compensates for adverse effects of high PCI levels (notably permeability and presence of unburnt char in top gas). Application of higher oxygen enrichment leads to a top gas product with a higher calorific value, which allows for higher value applications of top gas (e.g. less natural gas enrichment requirements for firing the hot blast stoves, power generation, etc.). Utilization of the “coal gasification capabilities” of the blast furnace allows for an operational area, where the value of the top gas increases from 10% of the total product value (hot metal and gas) to more than 25%. Blast furnace lining designs capable of achieving long campaigns while maintaining a stable inner profile allowing for stable burden descent, which is essential in high productivity blast furnace iron– making.

Keywords

Blast furnace; Fuel injection; Ore fine injection; Ironmaking.

Blast furnace; Fuel injection; Ore fine injection; Ironmaking.