Russia’s Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) has recommissioned Blast Furnace No. 7 following a major overhaul costing RUB 4.8 bln (USD 58.3 mln).
The overhaul lasted about a year, with the furnace now reaching its planned operating parameters. Annual productivity has increased to 1.1 mln tons from around 1 mln tons, while coke consumption has been reduced by 16 kg per ton of pig iron.
A key part of the modernization was the upgrade of the hot blast stove system. A new shaftless hot blast stove with an upper combustion chamber was completed during the overhaul, raising the hot blast temperature to 1,250 Celsius and helping reduce coke consumption and iron production costs.
The furnace was also extensively renovated, including replacement of the bottom cooling system and metal receiver, installation of a new jacket and coolers, and upgrades to blast furnace protection, valves, electrical and automation systems.
MMK said the modernization will improve production efficiency and the furnace’s environmental performance. The previous major overhaul of Blast Furnace No. 7 was carried out in 2002.
MMK is a major Russian steel producer operating a fully integrated production chain, from iron ore preparation and coke production to the manufacture of downstream steel products. The company has an annual crude steel production capacity of around 14.5 mln tons per annum.
1 USD / 82.3 RUB