Technological advancements in evaluating the performance of the pulverized coal injection through tuyeres in blast furnace

Abstract

The pulverized coal injection (PCI) is pursued to reduce the hot metal production cost by replacing the expensive metallurgical coke with the non-coking coal. Increasing the PCI rate causes various difficulties in the blast furnace (BF) operation. In the present work, an attempt is made to review the various aspects of PC injection in BF such as the challenges with increasing the PCI rate and modifications in the injection system to circumvent the concerns related to higher PCI rate. Various methods for detecting the tuyere blockage and failure caused due to the high PCI rate are elaborated. The factors influencing the combustion of coal in front of tuyeres have been discussed and their impact in the replacement ratio has been discussed. Further, recommendations are made to improve the coal combustibility in front of tuyeres.