A laboratory study concerning the melting properties of tuyere slags has been conducted. The meltingpoint measurements of various specimens, consisting of coke ash, coal ash and fluxes (BOF slag, burnt lime and burnt dolomite), corresponding to the tuyere slags formed in front of the tuyeres with or without flux injection, have been performed in a high-temperature microscope. Theoretical estimations of melting points have been made based on the chemical composition of the tuyere slag specimens.The results have shown that injection of fluxes has quite a positive effect on the melting properties of the tuyere slag. The melting point of the tuyere slag decreases and the temperature interval between softening and complete melting of the tuyere slag becomes narrower. Compared to the injection of burnt lime and burnt dolomite, the injection of BOF slag will result in still better tuyere slag properties in terms of lower flow point and narrower temperature interval between softening and melting. The differences in melting behaviour in the tuyere slag specimens indicate that injection of BOF slag will also give the tuyere slag a lower viscosity compared to injection of burnt lime or burnt dolomite at the same levels of slag basicity B2.KEY WORDS: flux injection; tuyere slag; melting-point measurements.powder mixture of flux and iron ore did decrease the Si content. The positive effect of flux powder was explained by SiO absorption by the flux powder. 5) In another study on injection of iron ore fines it was found that the Si content was decreased as a result of increased partial pressure of oxygen in the end of the raceway. If sinter fines containing CaO was used the effect was higher. 6) In another study of the injection, a mixture of iron ore and coal or a water slurry containing iron ore resulted in decreased Si content of hot metal. The oxidation degree of the slag in the hearth and bosh was considered to be a key factor controlling Si content of hot metal.7) The different results achieved in the iron ore injection studies might be explained by the particle size of the injected iron ore.8) The original oxidation degree of slags in the bosh and the hearth will affect the result.
5)When a very fine grain size of iron ore is used, the reduction in the raceway will be efficient and the amount of residual FeO limited.The use of injection of flux via tuyeres in order to obtain smooth slag formation in the blast furnace results in a decrease in the volume of bosh slag and prevents the formation of a bosh slag with excessive basicity.1-3) At normal blast furnace operation, the tuyere slag, formed by the ash content in fuels combusted in front of the tuyeres, is very acidic and has a high viscosity. The injection of fluxes via the tuyeres makes it possible to increase the basicity of the tuyere slag to an appropriate level and improve its melting properties. A lower tuyere slag viscosity might improve the drainage of the slag through the voids in the coke bed. 9,10) The aim of this laboratory study is to determine the influe...