An Investigation of a Loss of Center Temperature Profile
(Room 207B)
09 May 17
2:00 PM
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2:30 PM
Tracks:
Blast Furnace Operations Investigations & Analysis I
Monitoring and controlling the above-burden temperature profile of a blast furnace is crucial for process optimization and operation sustainability. At the AK Steel Corp. – Dearborn Works C blast furnace, during a period of high productivity, there was a relatively quick and sustained loss of center temperature. Although still able to operate at high productivity rates, there were concerns about implications to furnace stability. A cross-functional team developed a checklist for potential root causes. Potential root causes were identified in areas related to instrumentation, above-burden probes, furnace top water systems, coke chimney and bell-less top distribution chute. This paper reviews the investigation, including the impact on furnace operation, interpretation of the event from process data and the return of center temperature profile.