Increasing the efficiency of cast iron production at JSC “Ural Steel”

Abstract

This article identifies the “bottlenecks” in the blast furnace production technology of JSC “Ural Steel”. The quality indicators of coke used for agglomerate and pig iron production at the enterprise are analyzed. It is shown that the moisture content in coke is unstable and the particle size distribution is heterogeneous. The values of coke quality indicators such as M10 abrasion, coke strength after reaction (CSR), and coke reactivity index (CRI) do not meet the recommendations of domestic and foreign scientists. Measures are proposed to improve the quality of coke used at the enterprise. It is established that the relatively low quality of agglomerate produced at JSC “Ural Steel” is associated with an unsatisfactory particle size distribution of agglomerate components, a significant content of small fractions in the pelletised agglomerate mix, and low granule strength. These deficiencies, combined with the lack of exhausters on agglomeration machines № 1‒3 and significant harmful suction at the sides of the pallets and ends of the agglomeration machines, prevent an increase the rarefaction in the collectors, height of the sintering layer, reduction in solid fuel consumption in the mix, improvement of gas permeability, and granule strength of the agglomerate. The chemical composition and strength characteristics of pellets produced by “Mikhailovsky GOK named after A. V. Varichev” with increased iron and magnesia contents are provided. The use of these pellets in the blast furnace burden can improve the technical and economic performance of the blast furnace process. The technology and production indicators of pig iron in blast furnace № 1 of the enterprise are analyzed. Feasible methods for reducing coke consumption and increasing the productivity of the blast furnace are developed for JSC “Ural Steel”.