This article shows an innovative method to model and validate the hot air flow through the blast furnacés tuyeres. This study will be the basis for flow measurements implementation and safety interlocks for the pulverized coal injection. The flow measurements were taken in the blast furnace down leg pipes by installing refractory Venturi tubes. The system for the calculation of differential pressure takes into consideration the dimension of the Venturi, the air density and compressibility. The objective is to specify the flow transmitters required to automate a control system and implement safety interlocks for the coal injection plant.

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This paper shows a new process of handling the pulverized coal injection (PCI) into blast furnaces in an energy efficient way, aiming to decrease the specific consumption of electricity and nitrogen. The process improvement included two new phases in the main coal vessels sequence. The return on investment was high as the specific electricity and nitrogen consumptions were reduced, and the lifetime of operational valves were increased as well. The process is now operationally more stable when compared to the original design.