Toward a Better Understanding of Blast Furnace Raceway Blockages

Abstract

Operational data of two small size blast furnaces (BFs) with respect to the occurrence of raceway blockages are analyzed. These blockages mainly occur due to erratic movements in the burden. In a previous project, the authors have investigated the various types of raceway blockages and tested different approaches to implement a reliable way to detect such blockages at a very early stage. Early detection of severe blockage events is important to avoid tuyere damages and trigger operational reactions like, e.g., the shutdown of pulverized coal injection (PCI) branches. The most promising algorithm of the previous project has been implemented in the process control system of the BFs and enhanced with the additional calculation of a strength factor serving as an indicator for the severity of a blockage event. The system is now collecting data on raceway blockages since the beginning of 2019. As there is now a good data basis available, herein, the latest findings on blockage event statistics and the correlation with other operational data of the BF are presented.