Speaker
Mr
Keun Young KIM
(Iron & Steel Making Technology Group, Steel Planning Department, POSCO)
Description
An early breakage of the copper stave cooling pipe is a serious issue in ironmaking worldwide. This breakage of the copper stave caused unstable operation and shortened service life. Pohang No.4 BF experienced a leakage of coolant into the furnace caused by rapid wear of copper stave. It was found that the main causes of the breakage are high productivity operation ever since blow-in and blast furnace design.
Pohang No.4 BF installed ultrasonic sensor which can measure thickness of the worn copper stave before blow-in. Utilizing this accumulated thickness data we found out the existence of critical productivity which increased wear rate of copper stave dramatically.
In order to recover initial cooling capacity of copper stave, the method of stave replacement was applied first to the company. The copper staves in the sections S2, S1 and belly were quickly and successfully replaced in sequence. After the replacement of copper stave, No.4 BF restored normal operation condition and prolonged service life.
Author
Mr
Keun Young KIM
(Iron & Steel Making Technology Group, Steel Planning Department, POSCO)
Co-authors
Dr
Sang-Woo CHOI
(Control and Instrumentation Research Group, POSCO)
Mr
Tae-Sun KIM
(Iron & Steel Making Technology Group, Steel Planning Department, POSCO)
Mr
Yong Mun SON
(Technology Development Section, Ironmaking Department, Pohang Works, POSCO)