Thyssenkrupp Steel has started a partial refurbishment of Blast Furnace 2 at its Schwelgern site in Duisburg, Germany, with the furnace taken offline on August 30 for approximately six weeks. The work is aimed at improving operational stability and securing reliable pig iron production at the site.
The refurbishment focuses on the furnace’s central cooling systems and refractory lining in the lower section. Thyssenkrupp will replace cooling components, renew parts of the refractory material and install additional copper cooling elements, known as mini-staves, to improve cooling and protect the furnace lining.
Additional maintenance will also be carried out on auxiliary facilities, including the gas cleaning and slag granulation systems. The work is expected to improve the furnace’s technical availability and support reliable operation for years to come.
Commissioned in 1993, Schwelgern 2 has a daily hot metal output of approximately 12,000 tons and a hearth diameter of 14.9 meters, making it the largest blast furnace in Europe.
Thyssenkrupp Steel is Germany’s largest flat steel producer, serving the automotive, machinery, packaging and household appliance sectors. The company operates an integrated steelmaking network centered in Duisburg and produces hot-rolled, cold-rolled and coated flat steel, electrical steel and tailored automotive blanks.