Making the operation of blast-furnace stoves more efficient

Steps being taken at the blast-furnace facility at the Nizhniy Tagil combine to increase blast temperature, prolong service life of the furnaces and reduce costs are described. An increase of 50-70 deg C is achieved by changing the brick grade in the checkerwork and dome. Ceramic burners with flames directed coaxially with the combustion chamber eliminate local overheating of the wall. High moisture content in the blast-furnace gas results in condensation of moisture and lining fracture. The conversion from tall internal combustion chambers to shaftless construction is the most radical solution to improving blast-furnace design, and this conversion on #23 furnace in 1982 has significantly lengthened the period between repairs from 10-15 yrs to 19 yrs or more.