2021 Nashville AISTech

Investigation of High-Rate and Pre-Heated Natural Gas Injection in the Blast Furnace (Room 201 A)

01 Jul 21
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Tracks: Ironmaking: Blast Furnace Injection & Stove Technologies

Speaker(s): Shamik Ray, Process Engineering Consultant, Stelco Inc.; Tyamo Okosun, Purdue University Northwest; Samuel Nielson, PhD Student, Purdue University Northwest; Chenn Zhou, Purdue University Northwest; John D’Alessio, Stelco Inc. Lake Erie Works; Mitchell Klaas, Op. Tech & Innovation Manager, Stelco Inc.

Ongoing studies are being undertaken to develop improved understanding of the impacts of pre-heated natural gas (NG) injection on blast furnace operation, given the widespread nature of NG injection and the desire to expand operation ranges for higher rates of coke replacement. Previous research has explored the impacts of pre-heating on the characteristics of combustion in the tuyere and raceway of a blast furnace injecting NG. This paper explores additional facets of the concept, including impacts on coke rate, the level of pre-heating required to maintain a given RAFT, and potential methods of achieving NG pre-heating in a practical sense.