8. Wind

8.1 Wind behavior at nozzles

The injected air (known as natural wind) brings the oxygen required for the combustion of carbon and auxiliary fuels to the nozzles. In addition to nitrogen and oxygen, the wind contains natural air humidity, around 8 to 10 g/Nm ³ , but this can vary depending on local conditions and the season. In addition, it is the vector for various materials that may be useful for blast furnace operation, and which are injected into the tuyeres: steam, oxygen, auxiliary fuels (coal, fuel oil, oils, natural gas, coke oven gas, biomass, etc.), powdered materials (fluxes, titanium oxides, iron oxides). The wind flow rate determines the combustion rate, and hence the hourly production of the blast furnace. Wind consumption is...