The Use of Electrical Technologies in Blast Furnace Ironmaking
(Room 405)
16 May 16
11:00 AM
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11:30 AM
Tracks:
BF Equipment, Blast Furnace Stove Refractories & Operations I
In the 1980s, extensive development work was completed regarding the use of plasma torches in blast furnace ironmaking. Developers planned to use electricity to reduce coke consumption and inject coal into the blast furnace without oxygen enrichment. Plasma technologies were not implemented in part due to plasma torch reliability. Westinghouse has since improved torch reliability with industrial experience in solid-waste-to-energy facilities. Hatch assessed the merits of two blast furnace scenarios: hot blast superheating and plasma tuyere injection with coal. The coke rate savings, coal and oxygen consumptions, carbon footprint and electrical purchase requirements for each scenario will be presented.