Analysis of indices and operation improvement conditions of JSC “Ural Steel” blast furnace shop

For elaborating of measures to improve the blast furnace technology, it is necessary to analyze production data related to blast furnaces operation. Estimation of technical level of blast furnace production in conditions of JSC “Ural Steel” was the aim of the study. Data on chemical composition of casted iron produced and burden materials quoted, as well as data on iron ore materials consumption, sinter grain-size distribution, pellets chemical composition and strength characteristics, coke mechanical strength and grain-size distribution. Results of analysis presented of production operation indices of Nos 1–4 blast furnaces within a five years period, the furnaces having net volumes 1007, 1033, 1513 and 2002 m 3 correspondently. Periods of non-stable furnaces operation with long stops and repairs were excluded from the analyzed data. It was determined that iron and manganese oxide contents in the sinter are presented at lower level comparing with most of sintering plants of European Communities and Japan. Fine fraction less 5 mm content is considerably higher than the index for sinter, produced at other sintering plants of Russia, as well as of developed nations. Laboratory study and experimental-industrial tests at JSC “Ural Steel” confirm reasonability of the following mineral additives utilization in sintering process, delivered into the sintering burden by sludge: brown iron ore, bentonite clay, serpentinite-magnesites, that enables to increase suitable sinter yield, productivity of sintering machines, sinter impact strength. A necessity to optimize blast furnace slags chemical composition by relation SiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 and CaO/MgO determined to improve scull formation conditions and elimination of coolers mass burning-through. To improve the technical and economic indices of JSC “Ural Steel blast furnaces operation some measures on the plant blast furnace technology modification proposed.