Authors: I.G. Tovarovskiy, Y.M. Gordon, V.P. Lialuk
Iron & Steel Society International Technology Conference and Exposition 2003; Indianapolis, USA; April 2003
Abstract
Reduction of fuel consumption and increase of the blast furnace capacity and productivity are the main factors, which determine the development of the Ukrainian and former Soviet Union ironmaking industry. The decrease of coke rate is the most important for reduction of hot metal production cost as well as from environmental perspectives.
This problem can be resolved by improvements in utilization of gas heat and reduction potential by rationalizing gas distribution in the furnace cross-section. Control of gas distribution from the furnace top by changes in material distribution is well-developed and common practice.
Control of the gas distribution from the furnace bottom by changing of the tuyere parameters and forming of gas flow in the furnace hearth is much less developed because of limited information on hearth processes.