Investigation of the Influence of the Technology of Blast-Furnace Smelting with the Use of Pulverized Coal Fuel and Natural Gas on the Performance Indicators of Blast Furnaces

Abstract

We analyze the effect of application of pulverized coal fuel (PCF) and natural gas on the parameters of blast-furnace smelting by an example of operation of blast furnaces in Ukraine (for the best periods of their operation). It is shown that the rational technology of blast furnace smelting performed with the use of PCF enables one to increase the productivity of blast furnaces, reduce the consumption of coke and conventional fuel, decrease the cost of power resources, preserve the ecological characteristics, decrease the consumption of the resources, improve the ecology. At the same time, this leads to an increase in the net amount of fuel required for the blast-furnace process and to a decrease in the yield of secondary energy resources to the consumers. The simultaneous injection of natural gas with PCF increases the lifetime of the furnace, decreases the heat losses, and increases the gas permeability of the charge.