Evaluating Effect of Coke Layer Thickness on Permeability by Pressure Drop Estimation Model

Recently, low coke rate blast furnace operation has been required in response to the rising cost of coking coal. However, the thickness of the coke layer decreases in low coke rate operation. Since it is known that the gas permeability of the blast furnace deteriorates as the coke layer thickness decreases, it is important to determine the minimum coke layer thickness for stable blast furnace operation. On the other hand, the minimum coke layer thickness has not been clarified due to a lack of equipment capable of measuring the effect of the coke layer thickness on permeability.In this study, a new experimental device called the cohesive zone simulator was developed to clarify the minimum coke layer thickness. In the cohesive zone, gas flows horizontally along the coke layer. In order to quantify the effect of the coke layer thickness on permeability, this horizontal gas flow should be simulated. Therefore, this simulator simulates a horizontal gas flow.Next, the effect of the coke layer thickness was quantified by using the cohesive zone simulator. The results showed that melting iron ore penetrated into the coke layer and closed part of the layer. These phenomena caused a deterioration of permeability under thin coke layer thickness conditions.Finally, a pressure drop estimation model considering penetration of the coke layer by melting ore was developed with the aim of quantifying the minimum coke slit thickness.