Abstract
There has always been a dispute about the energy efficiency and energy cost of electro-driven and turbo-driven blast furnace (BF) blast processes. In order to find where the problem lies, energy efficiency analysis models and energy cost analysis models of electro-driven and turbo-driven blast processes were established, and the differences between the two driving processes in terms of theoretical minimum steam consumption, energy efficiency and energy cost were studied. The results showed that the theoretical minimum steam consumption of a blast process depends on steam thermodynamic properties and is unrelated to drive mode and drive process. A certain overlapped interval between electro-driven and turbo-driven blast processes in terms of energy efficiency exists. The equation for calculating the standard coal coefficient of steam was proposed, and the relationship to judge strengths and weaknesses of the two driving modes in terms of energy efficiency and energy cost was established. Finally, two companies were selected for case study research. The results led to different conclusions because of the differences between energy media in terms of standard coal coefficient and unit price. To select the best driving mode, plant-running conditions and energy prices of the region of operation in addition to other relevant factors should all be taken into account.
Highlights
With the voices for energy saving, emission reduction and green manufacturing growing louder, a series of mature and emerging energy-saving technologies have been successively applied for industrial purposes
The steam generated by waste heat is first used for electricity generation, and the electricity generated is used as a power source to drive rotary equipment, so it is referred to as electro-driven mode [3,4]
The main purpose of this study is to explore the influence of these two driving modes on energy efficiency, energy consumption, and energy cost theoretically by comparing the energy efficiency and energy cost of electro-driven and turbo-driven
Summary
With the voices for energy saving, emission reduction and green manufacturing growing louder, a series of mature and emerging energy-saving technologies have been successively applied for industrial purposes. The steam generated by waste heat is first used for electricity generation, and the electricity generated is used as a power source to drive rotary equipment, so it is referred to as electro-driven (or electrically-driven or electric in short) mode [3,4]. The second type, the steam generated by waste heat, is directly used as a power source to drive the rotary equipment, and is referred to as turbo-driven (or steam turbine-driven or steam-driven in short) mode [5,6]. According to the power source, the BF blast processes can be classified into two types: one in which the turbo-generated electricity is used as a power source to drive the blower (i.e., electro-driven blast mode), and one in which steam directly drives the blower (i.e., turbo-driven blast mode). The boilers generate steam that drives the turbine to generate mechanical energy; the mechanical energy powers the generator to produce electricity; the generated electric energy flows to the motor through the grid and after the buck-boost converter, the motor drives the BF blower
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
