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Blast furnace operations offer unique opportunities to use industrial gases to increase productivity and reduce operating costs, while maintaining a safe workplace and operating in an environmentally responsible manner.
Carbon dioxide is used for fume suppression during metal tapping, pig iron casting and metal pouring. Controlling the formation of "brown smoke" or iron oxide not only improves the environment, but also makes the workplace safer.
Nitrogen is used for fume suppression at the blast furnace cast house, including the torpedo car, and as carrier gas for solid fuel injection through the tuyere. The iron yield losses due to fumes add up over time, and can be significant. The improvement through the use of an inert gas can have a positive impact on the bottom line!
The use of oxygen in the blast or wind can be used to increase productivity and reduce operating costs. Additionally, oxygen use in conjunction with alternative fuels, such as pulverized coal, heavy oil, tire granulates, coke oven gas or shredder waste, can provide and additional improvement in productivity and operating costs by reducing dependence on coke. |
