7TH EUROPEAN COKE AND IRONMAKING CONGRESS - ECIC 2016

Assessment of the structural behaviour of the hearth refractory system in the design or repair stage can reduce risks associated with design innovations and hearth modifications. Information such as likely cracking and gap formation locations can be used to optimize the hearth bricking pattern, materials, and expansion allowances, and better interpret thermocouple data by considering changes in the heat transfer properties. This paper presents a novel 3D structural refractory assessment methodology for the blast furnace hearth under thermal and mechanical loads and pressures experienced during furnace operation. This methodology takes into account refractory cracking and crushing, mortar joint compression, separation, and frictional sliding, inelastic ramming mix behaviour, as well as nonlinear steel shell deformations using advanced finite element analysis. This assessment approach provides insight into likely damage in the refractory system and can be used to optimize the hearth performance and extend the campaign.