USE OF COKE-OVEN GAS IN BLAST-FURNACES OF MAKEEVKA IRON AND STEEL COMBINE

Preparations for and results achieved with the injection of coke oven gas into blast furnaces at a Soviet integrated works are described. The gas used contains up to 60% pure hydrogen and few hydrocarbons, promoting high combustion zone activity and injection rates. Coke rates fall by 6-8% and furnace productivity rises by 5-8%, giving considerable economic and ecological benefits. Natural gas can be replaced with coke oven gas at a rate of up to 3 m3 m-3, the coke replacement ratio being 0.4 kg m-3 with blast at a temperature of 1100-1150-degrees-C and containing 25-28% oxygen. The coke oven gas is freed from naphthalene, benzene hydrocarbons, and hydrogen sulphide before injection. Tuyere wear has been reduced through better design. Gas injection rates are to be increased to 300 m3 t-1 by 1995.