The Role of Pulverized Coal Injection in Blast Furnace Iron Making

by Massoud Rafi, Hans-Dieter Nolde

Publisher - Claudius Peters Projects GmbH

Category - General Novel

The injection of pulverized coal has become the most important secondary fuel for blast furnaces once the price for oil and natural gas has started to rise in the 1970s. The purpose is to replace other secondary fuels like oil or natural gas and to reduce the consumption of coke. This paper highlights the role of pulverized coal injection in blast furnace iron making and explains the economic, environmental and blast furnace operational aspects. The target of pulverized coal injection is to reduce the coke charge and by this to reduce the fuel costs. The injection of pulverized coal replaces the coke charge in terms of energy supply and reaction process for iron ore reduction. However, the injection of coal cannot contribute to the supporting structure of the blast furnace burden and results in changes in furnace permeability. The higher the coal injection rate, the higher the required coke quality. This is due to the fact that less coke charged undergoes higher thermal load and longer retention times in the furnace. In addition other parameters such as coal suitability and stricter process control should be available to enhance the operation of the blast furnace. The concept of a grinding and injection system for blast furnace will be introduced. The preparation of coal for injection involves additional costs for grinding, drying and injection and a summary of these costs will be given

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