Toward a Better Understanding of Blast Furnace Raceway Blockages. Issue 12 (23rd June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Puttinger, Stefan; Stocker, Hugo
• Other Names: Schenk Johannes guestEditor.; Bürgler Thomas guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Steel research international. Volume 91:Issue 12(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-06-23
• Subjects: blast furnaces -- blockage detection -- raceway monitoring; Steel -- Periodicals; Steel -- Metallurgy -- Periodicals; 669.142
• DOI: 10.1002/srin.202000227
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1611-3683

Abstract

Abstract : Operational data of two small size blast furnaces (BFs) with respect to the occurrence of raceway blockages are analyzed. These blockages mainly occur due to erratic movements in the burden. In a previous project, the authors have investigated the various types of raceway blockages and tested different approaches to implement a reliable way to detect such blockages at a very early stage. Early detection of severe blockage events is important to avoid tuyere damages and trigger operational reactions like, e.g., the shutdown of pulverized coal injection (PCI) branches. The most promising algorithm of the previous project has been implemented in the process control system of the BFs and enhanced with the additional calculation of a strength factor serving as an indicator for the severity of a blockage event. The system is now collecting data on raceway blockages since the beginning of 2019. As there is now a good data basis available, herein, the latest findings on blockage event statistics and the correlation with other operational data of the BF are presented. Abstract : Raceway blockage detection is important for save blast furnace operation at high coal injection rates. Herein, the long‐term data recorded by an improved blockage detection system implemented on two small size furnaces are analyzed. Correlations with large‐scale burden movements and tuyere damages are investigated.