3. Blast furnace control

3.1 Operating point

The choice of operating point must enable the blast furnace to achieve its objectives: production level, melt analysis, regularity of operation and minimum cost price. This point is defined by a set of parameters, usually :

• a ) daily production level ;

• b ) target cast iron analysis ;

• c ) auxiliary fuel nozzle injection rate ;

• d ) flame temperature ;

• e ) the maximum zinc and alkaline oxide content tolerated in the charge.

Points a ) and b ) are determined by the needs of the steel mill; point c ) usually depends on the price ratio between coke and injected...