2019 Pittsburgh AISTech

Investigation of High-Rate and Pre-Heated Natural Gas Injection in the Blast Furnace (Room 405)

06 May 19
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Tracks: Ironmaking

Speaker(s): Chenn Zhou, Purdue University Northwest; Tyamo Okosun, Purdue University Northwest; John D'Alessio, Stelco; Mitchell Klaas, Op. Tech & Innovation Manager, Stelco Inc.; Stuart Street, AK Steel; Samuel Nielson, PhD Student, Purdue University Northwest

With the recent interest in high-rate natural gas (NG) injection in North America, it is necessary to further explore the impacts of such operation on blast furnace stability. NG avoids fines accumulation in the coke bed and has at times been cheaper than alternatives. However, high NG injection rates can lead to a quenching effect in the furnace, reducing temperatures and imposing an upper limit on the amount of gas that can be utilized. This study explores the impacts of high rates upon the blast furnace raceway, as well as the potential of pre-heated NG to alter current limitations on injection.