Improvement of the performance of blast furnace stoves

Abstract

Blast furnaces are the biggest energy consumers in integrated steel making. Among their ancillary facilities, the stoves require the highest energy supply. A detailed analysis of the stoves operation at Aceralia CS has allowed an increase in blast temperature of 30°C (up to 1230°C) and of blast time up to 35 min without decreasing the blast volume. The stoves are heated up with blast furnace gas as the only fuel. Although the above changes imply a temperature increase of the fumes at the exit of the checkers, the global thermal performance of the plant has been improved, thus decreasing the energy specific consumption. These results were basically achieved through an adequate heating regulation and a dynamic control of the fume distribution through the heat exchangers. Steigerung der Leistung vonWinderhitzern. Die Hochoten sind die groBten Energieverbraucher in einem integrierten Huttenwerk, Unter allen Zusatzaggregaten benotiqen die Winderhitzer die meiste Energie. Eine detaillierte Untersuchung der Winderhitzerfahrweise bei Aceralia CS fUhrte schlieBlich zu einer Erhohunq der Windtemperatur um 30°C auf 1230°C und zu einer Verlanqerunq der Blaszeit auf bis zu 35 min, ohne daB die Windmenge verringert wurde. Die Winderhitzer werden mit Hochofenqas als einzigem Brennstoff betrieben. Obwohl diese Anderungen eine Erhohunq der Rauchgastemperatur am Ausgang des Gitterwerks bedeuten, wurde die thermische Gesamteffizienz der Anlage gesteigert und ein niedrigerer spezifischer Energieverbrauch erreicht. Errnoqlicht wurden diese Ergebnisse insbesondere durch eine geeignete Regulierung der Winderhitzererwarmung und eine neue dynamische Kontrolle der Rauchgasverteilung durch die Warmetauscheinheiten. Aims and scopeIn the blast furnaces at Aceralia CS a detailed study of the stoves' operation was carried out recently, in order to optimise energy costs and in view of the higher mill and injection capacity that will be available in the near future. The aims pursued were the following: increase of the blast temperature, -reduction of specific fuel consumption, -operation with top gas as the only fuel.This article covers the modifications made and the results achieved.

Numerical Simulation of Combustion and Air Supply Process and Optimal Design of Traditional Top Combustion Hot Blast Stoves

“…Other studies include the change of the material of burners from metal to ceramic, the changes in the number and location of nozzles, the development of the regenerator from a ball‐type to a high‐efficiency lattice brick, the improvement in the performance of the material of regenerators, and the development and applications of efficient preheating technology. [ 4–10 ]…”