Erosion Mechanism of Al_(2)O_(3)-SiC Castables for Lining Maintenance in Blast Furnace Hearths

Al_(2)O_(3)-SiC castables,for the relining of BF hearths in mid-campaign repair,were sampled and investigated after two years’service.The chemical and mineralogical characteristics of the residual castables were analyzed by X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy,and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry to study the erosion mechanism.The results show that as gaseous K diffuses in the castables,leucite(KAlSi_(2)O_(8))and multiple cracks are formed.Molten iron and slag penetrate through the cracks to form anorthite([Ca,Na][Al,Si]_(4)O_(8))and iron,which will not form an embrittlement layer similar to carbon bricks.The entire repair of the hearth with Al_(2)O_(3)-SiC castables combined with the design of thin-wall lining hearth eliminates“elephant foot shaped”erosion,greatly prolonging the service life of the hearth lining.

Formation mechanism of the protective layer in a blast furnace hearth

A variety of techniques, such as chemical analysis, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction, were applied to characterize the adhesion protective layer formed below the blast furnace taphole level when a certain amount of titanium-bearing burden was used. Samples of the protective layer were extracted to identify the chemical composition, phase assemblage, andistribution. Furthermore, the formation mechanism of the protective layer was determined after clarifying the source of each componenFinally, a technical strategy was proposed for achieving a stable protective layer in the hearth. The results show that the protective layemainly exists in a bilayer form in the sidewall, namely, a titanium-bearing layer and a graphite layer. Both the layers contain the slag phaswhose major crystalline phase is magnesium melilite（Ca2Mg Si2O7） and the main source of the slag phase is coke ash. It is clearly determinethat solid particles such as graphite, Ti（C,N） and Mg Al2O4play an important role in the formation of the protective layer, and the key factofor promoting the formation of a stable protective layer is reasonable control of the evolution behavior of coke.

Study on the early warning mechanism for the security of blast furnace hearths

The campaign life of blast furnace （BF） hearths has become the limiting factor for safety and high efficiency production of modern BFs. However, the early warning mechanism of hearth security has not been clear. In this article, based on heat transfer calculations, heat flux and erosion monitoring, the features of heat flux and erosion were analyzed and compared among different types of hearths. The primary detecting elements, mathematical models, evaluating standards, and warning methods were discussed. A novel early warning mechanism with the three-level quantificational standards was proposed for BF hearth security.

Formation mechanism of the graphite-rich protective layer in blast furnace hearths

A long campaign life of blast furnaces is heavily linked to the existence of a protective layer in their hearths. In this work, we conducted dissection studies and investigated damage in blast furnace hearths to estimate the formation mechanism of the protective layer. The results illustrate that a significant amount of graphite phase was trapped within the hearth protective layer. Furthermore, on the basis of the thermodynamic and kinetic calculations of the graphite precipitation process, a precipitation potential index related to the formation of the graphite-rich protective layer was proposed to characterize the formation ability of this layer. We determined that, under normal operating conditions, the precipitation of graphite phase ~om hot metal was thermodynamically possible. Among elements that exist in hot metal, C, Si, and P favor graphite precipitation, whereas Mn and Cr inhibit this process. Moreover, at the same hot-face temperature, an increase of carbon concentration in hot metal can shorten the precipitation time. Finally, the results suggest that measures such as reducing the hot-face tem- perature and increasing the degree of carbon saturation in hot metal are critically important to improve the precipitation potential index.

Numerical Simulation of Fluid Flow in Blast Furnace Hearth

The liquid flow in blast furnace hearth can result in the erosion of hearth. To prolong the campaign life of blast furnace, the effects of coke bed structure, coke porosity and deepness of taphole on liquid flow in hearth were studied by re model under different conditions. The results show that with the decrease of coke porosity, the peripheral flow is enhanced. Moreover, the existence of narrow coke free zone and the deepness reduction of taphole can increase the flowability on the bottom of hearth.

Development and Introduction of Monitoring System of Refractory Lining Wear in Blast Furnace Hearth

To diagnose the lining condition of the blast furnace hearth during its campaign, are widely used methods based on the analysis of the temperature characteristics of the refractory lining. Measurement of the temperature characteristics is performed by means of a few hundred thermocouples placed inside the refractory lining. The peculiarity of proposed and used mathematical models is a fully three-dimensional assessment of the refractory lining, presence mechanisms of adaptation to the actual thermal conductivity of refractories and optimization calculations to the work in the on-line mode. The new monitoring systems of the lining wear of the blast furnace hearth are established on 5 blast furnaces of integrated iron-and-steel works of China： No.4 by volume 3,200 m3 of “Jinan Iron ＆ Steel Company” in Jinan （683 thermocouples）, No.2 by volume 1,080 m3 of “Henan Jiyuan Iron ＆ Steel （Group） Company” in Jiyuan （212 thermocouples）, No.4 by volume 2,500 m3 of “Guangxi Liuzhou Iron ＆ Steel （Group） Company” in Liuzhou （383 thermocouples）, No.3 by volume 1,750 m3 of “Jinan Iron ＆ Steel Company” in Jinan （524 thermocouples）; No.1 by volume 1,750 m3 of “Jinan Iron ＆ Steel Company” in Jinan （524 thermocouples）.

Cooling phenomena in blast furnace hearth

Cooling water provides the best protection for refractory in the blast furnace hearth. Stable and suitable water quality and abundant cooling water are the basis for long service life of the hearth. Some phenomena about cooling system in the commercial blast furnaces were described, and reasonable explanations of these phenomena were analyzed. The results show that increasing the amount of cooling water and reducing the inlet temperature of cooling water can increase the cooling effect significantly in the case of water scaling. Heat flux in the blast furnace hearth is the average heat flux of cooling stave, and the erosion of carbon brick is uneven. There is no direct connection between the actual erosion condition and the heat flux in the hearth. The change trend of thermocouple temperature and heat flux in the hearth can reflect whether the gaps exist among the bricks or not, providing an effective guidance for industrial production and the evaluation of safety state in the hearth. And, the film boiling will not occur in the normal cooling system in the blast furnace hearth.

Research on Weighing System and Debugging Technology for Batching Under Blast Furnace Ore Tank

The article introduces the composition and working principle of the batching and weighing system underneath the blast furnace hearth.Besides,the shortcomings of the batching and weighing system during installation,debugging,and calibration,as well as the dynamic errors in the batching process are also analyzed.Corresponding solutions are then provided.

Numerical simulation for the lower shaft and the hearth bottom of blast furnace

One of the methods forming the shell is to appropriately design the coolingstaves and hearth without overheating during the campaign life of the furnace. The three-dimensionalsteady mathematical models for calculating the temperature distribution in the coolers andtwo-dimensional unsteady mathematical models with phase-change latent heat for calculating thetemperature distribution of the hearth bottom were established. The calculation results show thatthe formation of the slag-metal protection shell can be achieved by optimizing the design parametersof the coolers. Increasing the heat conductivity of the carbon brick can move the isothermal lineof 1150 deg C upward outside the hearth bottom.

Critical Heat Flux of Blast Furnace Hearth in China

The critical heat flux surveys of thirteen Chinese blast furnaces were carried out. The mathematical model of hearth bottom was established and the temperature field was simulated by utilizing the method of inverse problem based on the collected parameters and temperature data. The critical heat flux and dangerous critical heat flux of hearth were defined and analyzed as well as the initial and investigative critical heat flux of hearth, and the influences of thermal conductivity and residual thickness of carbon bricks on critical heat flux were discussed. The relationships between critical heat flux of stave and hearth bricks were also compared. It is found that the dangerous critical heat flux of these blast furnaces ranged from 9.38 to 57 kW/mz. Therefore, there was no uniform critical heat flux of hearth due to the structure design, refractory materials selection, construction quality of hearth and other factors. The heat flux should be lower than the critical heat flux with corresponding thickness of carbon bricks to control the erosion of hearth. The critical heat flux of stave would be much lower than that of hearth bricks with the air gap. However, the critical heat flux of stave should be higher than that of hearth bricks when gas existed between furnace shell and staves.

Investigation on the relationship between hearth wall erosion and deadman permeability for large blast furnaces

In this study, the relationship between hearth wall erosion and deadman permeability was investigated based on the change in the hearth bottom and hearth sidewall temperatures. Additionally, the operation practice for controlling hearth wall erosion in the large No. 1 blast furnace at Baosteel was also investigated. The reasons for the decrease in the permeability of deadman coke were analyzed, and measures for improving the permeability of deadman coke and controlling hearth wall temperature rising were described. The results show that a decrease in deadman coke permeability is the main reason for refractory temperature increase and hearth wall erosion. This indicates the importance of monitoring changes in hearth working conditions and taking appropriate measures to maintain sufficient permeability of the deadman and balance the hot metal flow and drainage of slag. At this rate, the decline in the hearth bottom temperature and fast rising of the hearth wall temperature can be restrained.

Mathematical Model of Hearth and Bottom Erosion in Blast Furnace

Furnace lining erosion is closely related to the operation stability and safety. The detection technology for hearth lining thickness of blast furnace was introduced.By using the data of thermocouples installed in the bottom of furnace hearth,a mathematical model of erosion was established; the real state of the hearth and bottom erosion was studied; the erosion condition was followed,serving for the furnace longevity.

Cooling Water Flow Rate Calculation for Hearth of Large Blast Furnaces

The cooling water flow rate for hearth of large blast furnaces was calculated by simulation. The results show that the cooling water flow rate shall be above 4 200m3/ h for hearth of large blast furnaces; to meet requirements of the increasing smelting intensity and to ensure the safety at the end of the first campaign,the designed maximum cooling water flow rate should be 5 900m3/ h; according to the flow distribution stability and the calculated resistance loss,hearth cooling stave pipes with the specification of 76 mm × 6 mm shall be adopted to assure the flow velocity in pipes of hearth cooling stave in the range of 1. 9- 2. 3 m / s.

Optimization for the structure of BF hearth bottom and the arrangement of thermal couples

The hearth of “heat transfer method” and the ceramic cup synthetic hearth bottom of “heart isolation method” are two most popular designs for blast furnace (BF). Although there are successful real examples, some disadvantages, for instance large heat loss and high cost, still exist for these designs. According to the theory of heat transfer, based on the calculation of temperature distribution of the hearth bottom, it is elucidated that all brick layers at the hearth bottom may not be considered as the only reason why different structures exhibited different temperature distributions although total heat resistance is the same, and then based on the effect of hot metal and cold water on different temperature distribution ranges, the concepts of “heat resistance” and “cooling enhancement” are put forth. Based on this, the disadvantages and the factors affecting temperature distribution, of the two types of hearth bottoms were illustrated. On the basis of these analyses, a novel structure for BF hearth bottom designing that can easily form “self-protecting” slag layer stably, called “the method of gradient brick layout that has an optimum combination of cooling enhancement and heat resistance” was proposed; it can not only prolong the hearth bottom longevity but also reduce the cost and heat loss. Also, the optimum arrangement of thermal couples in hearth bottom was suggested based on the previous studies on erosion prediction carried out by the author.

Optimization for the structure of BF hearth bottom and the arrangement of thermal couples

The hearth of ＂heat transfer method＂ and the ceramic cup synthetic hearth bottom of ＂heart isolation method＂ are two most popular designs for blast furnace （BF）. Although there are successful real examples, some disadvantages, for instance large heat loss and high cost, still exist for these designs. According to the theory of heat transfer, based on the calculation of temperature distribution of the hearth bottom, it is elucidated that all brick layers at the hearth bottom may not be considered as the only reason why different structures exhibited different temperature distributions although total heat resistance is the same, and then based on the effect of hot metal and cold water on different temperature distribution ranges, the concepts of ＂heat resistance＂ and ＂cooling enhancement＂ are put forth. Based on this, the disadvantages and the factors affecting temperature distribution, of the two types of hearth bottoms were illustrated. On the basis of these analyses, a novel structure for BF hearth bottom designing that can easily form ＂self-protecting＂ slag layer stably, called ＂the method of gradient brick layout that has an optimum combination of cooling enhancement and heat resistance＂ was proposed; it can not only prolong the hearth bottom longevity but also reduce the cost and heat loss. Also, the optimum arrangement of thermal couples in hearth bottom was suggested based on the previous studies on erosion prediction carried out by the author.

基于炉缸渣铁滞留量的高炉炉缸活性研究

针对国内外对炉缸活性表征不明晰的问题,建立以炉缸渣铁滞留量表征炉缸活性的模型,定量分析高炉操作参数对炉缸活性的作用比重,并提出提高炉缸活性的操作手段。结果表明:①渣铁焦物性对渣铁滞留率的影响顺序为:铁水温度>CSR>焦炭粒度>CRI>炉渣碱度>镁铝比;②去除滞留率对滞留量的影响,高炉操作参数对渣铁滞留量的影响顺序为:风量>铁口深度>风温>风压>喷煤量>氧气量;③高炉生产中,可采用原燃料粒级及性能管控技术、高风速大动能操作技术、渣铁流动控制技术、渣铁排放管控技术高效调控炉缸活跃状态。

武钢4号高炉炉缸温度异常升高的机理分析

武钢4号高炉炉缸侧壁温度异常升高,主要原因是炉缸碳砖与炉壳之间存在气隙,煤气串入导致热传导变差,再加上铁口区域渣铁环流加剧,碳砖热面渣铁壳的脱落,使渣铁水直接接触碳砖,导致碳砖温度急剧升高。通过灌浆,治理了串煤气,渣铁凝结层逐渐形成,炉缸温度恢复正常。

Design and Operation Control for Long Campaign Life of Blast Furnaces

At the beginning of 1990s, Shougang blast furnaces （BFs） No. 2, No. 4, No. 3 and No. 1 were rebuilt se quently for new technological modernization in succession. The campaign life of BFs No. 1, No. 3 and No. 4 reaches 16.4, 17.6 and 15.6 years, respectively, and the hot metal output of one campaign reaches 33.8, 35.48 and 26.37 Mt, respectively; the hot metal output of BF effective volume of one campaign reaches 13328, 13991 and 12560 t/m^3, respectively, which reaches the international advanced level of BF high efficiency and long campaign life. In BF desig-ning, several advanced BF long campaign technologies were adopted. BF proper inner profile was optimized, reasona- ble inner profile was adopted, and closed circulating soften water cooling technology was applied in 4 BFs. Double row cooling pipe high efficiency cooling stave was developed which could prolong the service life of bosh, belly and stack. Hot pressed carbon brick and ceramic cup hearth lining structure were applied and optimized. BF operation was improved continuously to ensure stable and smooth operation of BF. Hearth working condition control was strengthened, burden distribution control technology was applied to achieve reasonable distribution of gas flow, and heat load monitoring was strengthened to maintain BF reasonable working inner profile. Proper maintenance at the end of BF campaign was enhanced. Hearth and bottom service life was prolonged by adding titaniferous material and enhancing hearth cooling. Gunning of lining was carried out periodically for the area above tuyere zone.

大型高炉炉缸浇注修复技术研究与应用

为了有效延长炉役中后期高炉寿命,开发了高炉炉缸内衬浇注修复技术,在首钢股份3座高炉上应用,取得了显著的应用成效和经济效益。系统阐述了高炉炉缸内衬浇注修复技术关键技术及特点,开展了炉缸内衬浇注修复多场仿真模拟研究。简要分析了高炉停炉及相关技术,如高炉快速停炉降温技术、残铁口精准定位技术、炉缸侵蚀内型数字化成像技术;重点分析了炉缸内衬浇注修复技术,如炉缸内衬浇注料选择、炉缸内衬浇注结构设计优化、炉缸内衬整体浇注修复技术、炉缸内衬侵蚀模型的重构等,同时指出了本项技术的关键操作要素和未来预期的应用效果。

首钢股份1号高炉中修炉缸整体浇注及效果

首钢股份1号高炉炉役后期,炉缸某点热电偶温度689℃,理论计算炉缸侧壁炭砖侵蚀剩余厚度为400mm,为保证1号高炉安全高效运行,在保留剩余炭砖的前提下,采用炉缸整体浇注对其进行修复。根据不同部位,炉缸整体浇注分为陶瓷杯杯底浇注、陶瓷杯侧壁浇注和风口区域浇注等步骤,同时在炉腹、炉腰及炉身部位喷涂造衬。1号高炉中修开炉后,炉缸侧壁温度稳定在250℃左右,说明炭砖脆性断裂区被控制到浇注料内;高炉生产稳定顺行,主要技术经济指标不断提升,特别是2022年10月,保持了高产低耗的生产局面。