RECENT ADVANCES IN BLAST-FURNACE IRONMAKING TECHNOLOGY IN AUSTRALIA

This review presents some of the recent advances in ironmaking technology in Australia. The first part of the paper summarises blast furnace operations in terms of productivity, fuel rate and hot metal chemistry in BHP. It is shown that in the recent past Australian furnace operations have been characterised by high productivity and low fuel rate. In the second part of the review, the main blast furnace research and development topics are presented. The first of two research streams, which is shorter term in focus, is associated with the development and implementation of computer models and associated sensors to assist present operations. Some of the developments which are reviewed in this field include burden distribution studies, models of the momentum, heat and mass transfer processes occurring in the furnace, raceway studies, opto-electronic and other sensor developments, and studies associated with hearth liquid drainage. The second stream, which addresses longer term strategies, is associated with studies on future blast furnace operations. In this stream, research work on the combustibility of pulverised coals in the blast furnace environment is described. The results shown indicate that Australian research has made a substantial contribution to knowledge in blast furnace ironmaking, and that the studies undertaken are of considerable benefit to Australian blast furnace operations.