7TH EUROPEAN COKE AND IRONMAKING CONGRESS - ECIC 2016

In 2010 Paul Wurth introduced the G3 chute transmission gearbox for Bell Less Top blast furnace charging systems. With a maximal flow rate of 1.1m3/s, a rotation speed of 12RPM while withstanding harshest operating conditions, the G3 chute transmission gearbox offers unpreceded operation possibilities. Finer charging patterns (i.e. more chute rotations) are possible due to the higher rotation speed. Furthermore the impact energy on the stockline is reduced minimizing amongst others the coke push effect. The high flow rate offers the possibility for charging a series of dedicated batches such as centre coke or sinter fines and will cope with today’s and tomorrow’s highest production capacity requirements. High quality raw materials are getting scarce and increased usage of lesser material grades is making the blast furnace operation more challenging; unstable intermittent periods are common. The attention to be dedicated to the gearbox is minimal as it is impervious to high blast furnace top temperatures, requires even less maintenance and features an increased component lifetime. Not spending thoughts on the equipment comes in handy to focus on what is at stake: the blast furnace process The paper gives insight into the G3 features which were spun-off to the standard and reinforced gearboxes and will highlight the differences and fields of application.