MODERNIZING BLAST-FURNACES AT RAAHE-IRONWORKS-AND-STEELWORKS

Blast furnace practice at the Finnish Rautaruukki company's Raahe works is outlined and recent modernisation measures are described. The measures included overhaul of furnaces no. 1 and 2 with improvements to the furnace highlines, casthouses, and control and monitoring systems. The furnace technico-economic performance indices (present coke rate 400 kg/t hot metal, productivity 2.9 t m-3 d-1), the working environment, and the ecological impact have improved considerably in consequence.