Helium tracing : a new tool for gas distribution control in the blast furnace

In blast furnace ironmaking hearth performance has a critical effect on the efficiency of the operations and the campaign duration. In this paper the relationship between hearth lining design and lining wear is analysed, based on plant data and research activities of Tata Steel Europe that is supported by information published elsewhere. Tools to model, monitor and visualise the hearth processes are discussed. Current hearth management practices are illustrated. It is noted that the varying process conditions make current campaigns less predictable than previous ones. The hearth lining design rules developed decades ago seem to be in need of revision.

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“…9 Other work shows the opposite trend of a denser structure in the centre and more loose packing under the tuyeres. 11…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Blast furnace campaign extension by fundamental understanding of hearth processes

Andreev

Louwerse

Peeters

et al. 2016

Ironmaking & Steelmaking

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“…10,11 With the objective to develop new tools to improve gas distribution monitoring, the helium tracing technique has been tested 12 and is employed to monitor the gas transfer time from tuyere to the burden probe. The analysis of this transfer time from the tuyere to the top and its relationship with the process will be explained.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several indirect measurements (thermal losses, gas analysis and temperature recorded by burden probes) help to capture information of the gas distribution in the furnace. 10,11 With the objective to develop new tools to improve gas distribution monitoring, the helium tracing technique has been tested 12 and is employed to monitor the gas transfer time from tuyere to the burden probe. The analysis of this transfer time from the tuyere to the top and its relationship with the process will be explained.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extended use of helium tracing technique and assessment of blast furnace shaft permeability

Carrascal¹,

Barea²,

Martín³

et al. 2008

Ironmaking & Steelmaking

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The blast furnace is a countercurrent reactor in which a reducing gas is produced by coke gasification with the oxygen blown in via tuyeres. The reducing gas flows upwards, reducing the iron ores charged at the top of the furnace. It is a very complex process with many influencing and correlating factors. Its productivity is the quotient between possible gas throughput per unit of time and required specific gas generation for 1 tonne of hot metal obtained, and its permeability is a measure of the gas ability to pass through the bed of solid materials. The objective of 'high levels of injection of pulverised coal' is not only compatible with productivity, but also even necessary to increase blast furnace productivity. In this sense the helium tracing technique consists of injecting He at the tuyeres with its arrival at the blast furnace top being detected by a mass spectrometer. With this measurement it is possible to define the transfer time as the delay between the injection moment and the time when the helium concentration reaches 10% of the maximum detected level. Calculated variables from the measurements allow a concise characterisation of the blast furnace state. These gas transfer measurements can be considered as a new tool to evaluate the state of a furnace at a specific moment. The main advantage will be that by employing only one measurement it will be possible to evaluate the furnace state.

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Helium tracing : a new tool for gas distribution control in the blast furnace

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Blast furnace campaign extension by fundamental understanding of hearth processes

Blast furnace campaign extension by fundamental understanding of hearth processes

Extended use of helium tracing technique and assessment of blast furnace shaft permeability

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