Controlling the blast-furnace hearth

Abstract

At OAO EVRAZ ZSMK, the operation of the blast-furnace hearth is regulated by means of special briquets with good granulometric composition, high iron content, and low impurity content. The briquet charge depends on the total iron-ore consumption, primarily in the intermediate region of the furnace. With steady briquet content (around 2.1% of the charge), the variation in the hearth obstruction is smooth and confined to a narrow range. When the briquets account for 1.0–2.5% of the total charge, the actual mean furnace productivity increases by 6.7%; the adjusted value increases by 3.5%. The actual coke consumption is reduced by 0.5%, and the adjusted value by 0.7%.