Blast furnace performance analysis for efficient utilization of energy

In this paper, a simple model is proposed to assess the thermal performance of the blast furnace for efficient utilization of energy with an integrated view to improving the productivity of the plant. The model is based on the mass, energy and availability balance equations and is applied to an existing Iron and Steel industry in India. A comparison of the actual operation of the blast furnace is made with that of the model prediction. The model gives a fairly good prediction and shows that the predicted values of blast furnace coke rate and blast rate are within 7% to 9% of the actual values. Application of this model suggests that the plant productivity can be improved by increasing the hot blast temperature, reducing hot metal silicon level, reducing coke ash level and increasing sinter volume in the charge.