Some Aspects of the Future of Blast Furnace Ironmaking The Process: Focusing on Low Cost Hot Metal

摘要

The present paper is directed towards the potential benefits of application of hot blast oxygen enrichment to a level beyond the minimum requirements of high coal injection rates. High oxygen enrichment rate lowers top gas temperature (preventing un-burnt char in the top gas), facilitates simultaneous high coal injection rates/low coke rates and high productivity and leads to higher calorific value of the top gas. This results in lower hot metals costs if the calorific value of the top gas can be efficiently utilized. The blast furnace will develop from a one product system producing only hot metal to a dual product system, producing hot metal and gas/power.