A static approach towards coke collapse modelling in blast furnace

Abstract

Burden distribution control in a blast furnace has a close relationship with wind acceptance and gas utilisation. Quantification of radial distribution of ore and coke is important for proper control of blast furnace operation. Charging of metallic burden over a layer of coke causes a portion of the coke layer to get dislodged from its original position, similar to the situation observed when a heavy material is dropped on a bed of lighter particles. This phenomenon, designated 'coke collapse', significantly changes the ore/coke distribution in the radial direction and thus affects the permeability of the furnace shaft. In the present work a mathematical model for quantifying the amount of coke collapse has been proposed on the basis of 'stability of slope theory'. The calculation from this model has been compared with the results from experiments in simplified physical models. Predictions of the mathematical model are in good agreement with experimental results.     

Steel annealing furnace robust neural network model

Abstract

In this day and age, galvanised coated steel is an essential product in several key manufacturing sectors because of its anticorrosive properties. The increase in demand has led managers to improve the different phases in their production chains. Among the efforts needed to accomplish this task, process modelling can be identified as the one with the most powerful outputs in spite of its non-trivial development. In many fields, such as industrial modelling, multilayer feedforward neural networks are often proposed as universal function approximators. These supervised neural networks are commonly trained by the traditional, back-propagation learning format, which minimises the mean squared error (mse) of the training data. However, in the presence of corrupted or extremely deviated samples (outliers), this training scheme may produce incorrect models, and it is well known that industrial data sets frequently contain outliers. The process modelled is a steel coil annealing furnace in a galvanising line, which shares characteristics with most of the furnaces used in galvanised lines all over the world. This paper reports the effectiveness of robust learning algorithms compared to the classical mse-based learning algorithm for the modelling of a real industry process. From this model an adequate line velocity (the velocity set point) for a coil, depending on its characteristics and the furnace condition to receive this coil (temperature set points), can be obtained. With this set point generation model the operator could set strategies to manage the line, i.e. set the order of the coil to be treated or preview the line's speed conditions for the transitory situations.     

Model based scheduling of a continuous annealing furnace

Abstract

The operational complexities and process constraints of an industrial continuous annealing operation invariably lead to empirically designed process cycles as well as manual scheduling practices. This methodology often results in suboptimal and inefficient operations. An integrated approach is presented here for maximising the productivity of a continuous furnace, where bundles of steel rods are annealed. For this purpose, a scheduling algorithm is proposed, which is coupled with a process model. The phenomenological process model is based on heat transfer and annealing kinetics. The scheduling algorithm is formulated to analyse the continuous annealing furnace under different operating conditions. The advantage of coupling the scheduling algorithm to the process model in enhancing productivity has been illustrated. Furthermore, it is shown that optimising the bundle diameter at a constant hearth speed is favourable for frequent dispatches of the product, whereas for less frequent dispatches, it is more efficient to vary the hearth speed.     

Thermal performance of annealing line heating furnace

Abstract

In the present study, a stepwise model based on the enclosure concept has been applied to an annealing line heating furnace. The model has been satisfactorily tested using three industrial manufacturing data sets. As temperature measurement inside the furnace is difficult, the model could be used to improve control and to obtain the outlet temperature of the steel strip, the heat transfer rate loss and the strip heat transfer rate throughout the length of the furnace. Variations in the thermodynamic properties included in the model and in the operational conditions, which cannot be accurately known, have been tested to ascertain their effects on the evolution of the strip temperature. It is found that precise knowledge of the heat capacity and heating power introduced in the furnace are important to obtain good results in application of the model.     

Behaviour of kaolinite coated olivine pellets in blast furnace

Abstract

Production olivine fluxed blast furnace pellets were coated with a water based slurry of kaolinite to give a coating of 5 kg t^-1 pellets. The LKAB experimental blast furnace in Lulea? was used to compare the behaviour of kaolinite coated olivine pellets (MPBO-KA) with that of regular olivine pellets coated with a water spray (MPBO-WA). Blast furnace operation with the kaolinite coated pellets was more stable, with higher productivity and slightly lower reductant consumption, than operation with the normal water coated pellets. In the lower shaft of the furnace, significant quantities of potassium oxide were found to have reacted with the olivine pellets and also with the kaolinite coating.     

Zinc accumulation during recycling of iron oxide wastes in the blast furnace

Abstract

Byproducts/wastes of iron- and steelmaking processes and steel scrap are the main sources of iron units recycled in the steel plants. Direct recycling of the iron oxide wastes (dusts and sludge) in the blast furnace (BF) is however hampered by its chemistry (>0·1%Zn in the charge). Vaporisation, condensation, oxidation and circulation of zinc may collectively lead to the accumulation in the furnace. Very fine particles are deposited on other particles that have high surface areas which diminish BF refractory life and impair the quality of high quality pig iron produced. For effective continuous recycling of iron units, it is necessary to identify their sources, determine their composition and evolve device and appropriate technology for the treatment of zinc bearing units. The present paper analyses the process of zinc accumulation in the BF and derives an algebraic model to determine the extent of the accumulation. On the basis of analysis of zinc base formation, its recirculation in the furnace and other related productive units, a homograph (alignment chart) of zinc accumulation is designed. The paper also outlines the feasible processes of zinc removal from the close-looped system (sinter plant–BF–sinter plant).     

Concept of dynamic foaming index and its application to control of slag foaming in electric arc furnace steelmaking

Abstract

To sustain a foam in steelmaking processes, two basic requirements should be fulfilled, i.e. appropriate physical properties of the slag such as high viscosity, low density, and low superficial tension, and the generation of sufficient reaction gas. To date, foaming indexes have been focused on the physical properties of refining slags. In the present paper a dynamic foaming index (DFI) that involves both above requirements is proposed, using a kinetic model of the electric arc furnace process to calculate the generation rate of reaction gas, mainly CO. When the arc distortion, as affected by electrode submergence in the foam, is compared with the DFI, calculated via the kinetic model, it is observed that both parameters follow very similar trends. This finding indicates the feasibility of knowing the foaming conditions of a heat in advance, or of using the kinetic model online to control the foaming phenomena. Furthermore, experimental results relating to dynamic behaviour of the slag chemistry are well simulated using the kinetic model. To take into account the effect of size distribution of carbon particles injected into the slag to reduce FeO, a Monte Carlo simulation has been integrated into the process simulator, allowing a more realistic prediction of the current steelmaking process.     

Effect of manganese ore blends on performance of submerged arc furnace for ferromanganese production

Abstract

Manganese ore blends are used in ferromanganese production. The blend composition controls the operational performance of submerged arc furnace. A case study has been carried out at FAP, Joda, Tata Steel to better understand the process. The results of experiments revealed that the phase decomposition and decrepitation of Mn ore at low temperatures (500–900°C) in the upper part of the furnace increased the furnace top temperature and thereby promoted agglomeration of the charge, which caused the violent eruptions in the furnace. The root cause of the problems in reaction zone (bottom part) of the furnace was changes in the composition of slag, i.e. low silica and high alumina, which was also due to selection of Mn ores in the blends. Various options for silica addition were examined and compared. The pretreatment of the Mn ores and use of synthetic slag for silica adjustment options were identified to overcome the operating problems and to utilise the captive Mn ores.     

Variation in hot metal and slag composition during tapping of blast furnace

Abstract

To determine the quality of the hot metal and the thermal conditions inside the blast furnace, the composition of the hot metal and slag must be known. Obtaining representative metal and slag samples during tapping is thus highly important to blast furnace operation. The study covered in the present report focused on hot metal and slag composition variation during tapping from a commercial blast furnace. From the results, optimal sampling time points for obtaining elemental concentrations that can be taken as representative for the whole tapping sequence were identified. It was furthermore concluded that the reliability of hot metal composition data is significantly improved by averaging elemental concentrations determined from two samples, each taken at a particular time point. One sampling, however, was found to be adequate for slag. Results from the study also showed a fairly strong correlation between amounts of silicon and carbon, sulphur and carbon, and silicon and sulphur in the hot metal, while a weaker correlation between hot metal temperature and each of these elements was observed.     

Effect of coke reactivity and nut coke on blast furnace operation

Abstract

Two measures for coke saving and increase in blast furnace efficiency related to coke characteristics – reactivity and size – are discussed in this paper. Modern blast furnace operation with low coke rate and high injection rate causes a change in coke quality requirements. A discussion has arisen recently about highly reactive coke. Here, a theoretical analysis of influence of coke reactivity on the thermal reserve zone, direct reduction and carbon consumption in the blast furnace has been undertaken. Experiments have been performed using non-standard test scenarios that simulate coke behaviour under real blast furnace operating conditions. Coke reactivity and microstructure have also been investigated under the impact of alkali and pulverised coal ash and char. Operation of many blast furnaces has proved the possibility of coke saving and increase in productivity when using small-sized coke (so-called nut coke) mixed with the burden, but the reasons for this phenomenon, and consequently the limit for nut coke consumption, are still not very clear. An analytical method and cold model simulations have been used to quantify the change in shaft permeability and furnace productivity when using nut coke.     

Bottom design optimisation of electric arc furnace for ferromanganese production using nodal wear model

Abstract

This paper presents the optimisation on the design of the lining of an electric arc furnace that produces refined ferromanganese by applying the nodal wear model. This model is a new tool that systematises the wear/corrosion analysis applied to industrial furnaces linking the basic theoretical knowledge of the physical chemistry of wear/corrosion phenomena and the industrial conditions. The use of this tool to optimise the process helped increase the number of tappings between furnace bottom rebuilds from 19 in 1999 to 1200 in 2005 and the productivity to increase from 1·2 to 2·7 ton h^–1.     

Reviving traditional blast furnace models with new mathematical approach

Abstract

This paper describes how traditional analytical blast furnace (BF) models can be revived by the inclusion of new mathematical tools. Combining some fundamental models with new mathematical algorithms can create efficient and simple to use hybrid models. A hybrid model based on artificial neural network (ANN) and its industrial application to the new BF No. 3 at Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN, Volta Redonda, Brazil) was developed, tested and put in use. In BF operation, which is a multivariable complex process subject to oscillations in raw material characteristics, a precise model is essential to adjust charging and blow conditions to match productivity, chemical quality and target costs. A neural model was developed in order to estimate chemical and thermal parameters to feed a first principles model capable of evaluating alternative operation standards. As a consequence, operation efficiency is being enhanced, leading to higher productivity and lower costs.     

Experimental and operational thermal studies on blast furnace cast steel staves

Abstract

The operating conditions of cast steel staves at Masteel blast furnace have been simulated to generate the temperature distribution under different operating conditions. The influence of the temperature and velocity of cooling water as well as the gas temperature of blast furnace on the temperature distribution of the cast steel stave was obtained. The main cause of stave damage is discussed. The result shows that cast steel staves possess better heat transfer ability and a lower temperature distribution field than nodular cast iron staves, but their performance is much less satisfactory than that of copper staves.     

Numerical study of dc arc plasma and molten bath in dc electric arc furnace

Abstract

A numerical study of the arc plasma and molten bath in a dc electric arc furnace (EAF) is useful for understanding and improving the production process of the dc EAF. In the present paper, a mathematical model based on conservation equations of mass, momentum and energy along with Maxwell's equations is developed to describe the flow field and heat transfer in the arc and molten bath regions of a dc EAF simultaneously. The governing equations are solved using the PHOENICS software package. The calculated results show good agreement with those of previous studies, giving a useful insight into the factors of arc heat transfer and bath circulation.     

Experimentally determined temperatures in blast furnace hearth

Abstract

In this study temperature measurements have been carried out at blast furnace no. 2 at SSAB Oxelösund. The temperature was measured in the hearth lining and at the outer surfaces of the hearth wall and bottom. The lining temperature was measured using permanently installed thermocouples and surface temperatures were measured using a hand held thermocouple. The aims of the study were to find a correlation between lining and surface temperatures as well as to find a method to determine the surface temperature based on readings from lining thermocouples. The overall conclusion is that the bottom and wall surface temperatures can be determined based on lining temperatures.     

A way to reduce environmental impact of ladle furnace slag

Abstract

In the last decades the European steel industry has made continuous efforts to reduce residues and byproducts and to increase recycling in order to reduce its environmental impact. While some steelmaking slags have been widely characterised and, to a certain extent reused, ladle furnace (LF) slag is used in different applications because of its specific properties. The main purpose of the case study presented in this paper concerns the reduction of potential LF slag environmental impacts, because of its intrinsic physicochemical properties. During the handling and cooling of LF slag, it disintegrates into a powder due to instability of the dicalcium silicate, causing an increase in dust emissions to the environment. The approach presented in this paper aims to reduce this phenomenon in order to achieve a more sustainable solution in term of reduction of powder dispersion in the environment, of costs saving and of nuisance reduction in the surroundings areas.     

Determination of thermal histories of coke in blast furnace through X-ray analysis

Abstract

A study has been undertaken to identify the source of coke fines sampled from the deadman area of the blast furnace. Using measurements of the coke crystallite dimension L _C, it was established that some of the fines found in the deadman area of a blast furnace were not simply the degradation products of the lump coke in this area. The L _C was measured using standard X-ray analysis techniques. The coke fines had a higher L _C than the coke lump and therefore have experienced a higher maximum temperature than the associated coke lump. This finding has been interpreted as at least some of the coke fines found in the deadman area (lower temperature region) have been blown there from the raceway by the high velocity hot blast.     

Formation of potassium slag in olivine fluxed blast furnace pellets

Abstract

Mineralogical evaluation of olivine pellets coated with kaolinite, taken from the LKAB experimental blast furnace, shows significant reactions with potassium. Sampling has revealed strong potassium deposition in pellets in the lower shaft close to the wall, but much less deposition towards the furnace centre. Iron reduction and the deformation of the pellets were enhanced in the zone of high alkali deposition. Thin sections of pellet samples were prepared to distinguish amorphous and crystalline slag phases for a better understanding of the formation of the potassium rich slag. Olivine breaks down to various extents to form a SiO₂–FeO–MgO–K₂O glass. The kaolinite coating shows strong reaction throughout the cross-section of the lower shaft to form kalsilite (KAlSiO₄) and K₂O rich glassy slag. Studies of thin sections of the slag products were shown to be very useful in separating amorphous phases such as the K₂O rich glass from the crystalline olivine rim.     

Iron ores,fluxes and tuyere injected coals used in the blast furnace

Abstract

Iron ores, fluxes and tuyere injected coals used as burden materials in the blast furnace have been characterised by chemical and granulometric analysis, moisture, density and porosity, softening and melting temperatures, reductibility, X-ray diffraction, electronic microscopy and thermoanalysis. Theoretical calculations on the influence of both the chemical composition and ash content of coals on some aspects of the blast furnace operation have been carried out. The combustion behaviour of pulverised coals in a pilot plant equipped with a combustion chamber has been studied to indicate what the behaviour of each type of coal will be, when injected in blast furnace tuyeres.     

Testing of cement bonded briquettes under laboratory and blast furnace conditions Part 1 – Effect of processing parameters

Abstract

Cement bonded agglomerates made of iron rich byproducts from the iron and steel industry have been used as burden material for blast furnaces for over a decade. In spite of that, their use is restricted to less than 5% of the total burden material, because at higher percentages the blast furnace starts behaving erratically. It is suspected that this is due to the disintegration of the agglomerates under high temperature and reducing conditions. In order to improve the quality of the cement bonded briquettes, the effects of various parameters on their behaviour have been studied. The briquettes have been tested in the laboratory under isothermal test conditions and under simulated blast furnace conditions. The briquettes have also been tested in a pilot blast furnace. This paper describes the effect of different parameters on the performance of briquettes tested under the three conditions.