Benchmark for Tap-Hole Lifecycle Management Practices in Silicomanganese Production When Submerged Arc Furnace Technology of Circular Design is Applied

摘要

A holistic conceptualisation of the variables forming part of tap-hole lifecycle management and performance was defined previously for coke bed-based processes in which submerged arc furnace technology of circular design was applied. In the work presented here, the variables were applied to silicomanganese production comparing the tap-hole lifecycle management practices and performance among five furnaces on one site. The quantified independent variables were divided into four functions associated with the tap-hole lifecycle (operations, reline, maintenance, and repair), and a selection of the results is reported here. Having the benchmark available will contribute to comparative studies in future.