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Ebook: Modern Blast Furnace Ironmaking
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Modern Blast Furnace Ironmaking – An Introduction (Fourth Edition, 2020) describes the principles of the blast furnace process. As a starting point, the blast furnace is seen as a simple iron ore melter, while gradually the physical, chemical and metallurgical background of the blast furnace process is clarified. The book focuses on the control of the process with respect to thermal control, gas flow control and casthouse operation. In this book, all essential process details are described and a special focus is on cost optimization by low coke rates and on management of the process in case of disturbances and upsets. The optimization of the blast furnace is not only based on “best practice transfer”, but also requires conceptual understanding why a measure works in some cases and not in other cases. In other words, operational improvement is not only based on know–how, but as well on know–why.
This publication can be used as an introductory text for students of metallurgy as well as for blast furnace operators and management.
This fourth edition of “Modern Blast Furnace Ironmaking” has been prepared by an international staff of experts from three continents. We are indebted to Cor van der Vliet and Hisko Toxopeus†, who prepared the first two editions of the book and agreed to hand over future editions of the book to the next generation. Prof. Ivan Kurunov† and John Ricketts made a great contribution to the third edition. Co–authors of the fourth edition are Prof. Yongzhi Sha from the China Iron and Steel Research Institute, Ron Molenaar, retired superintendent of the IJmuiden Blast Furnaces and Peter Warren, presently working at British Steel in the United Kingdom and Rob van Opbergen, experienced in casthouse operation and operational improvement.
The objective of the book is to share our insights, that optimization of the blast furnace is not only based on “best practice transfer”, but also requires conceptual understanding of why a measure works. In other words, operational improvement is based not only on know–how, but also on know–why.
Compared to the third edition, we have added operational examples of many furnaces. The examples are for illustration only and cannot be traced to a specific furnace. Since the earlier edition, new instrumentation like cameras at tuyeres and the top are playing a much more prominent role. We have rewritten the sections on balances and elaborated the section on operational challenges.
We are indebted to the many colleagues we have worked with. We are grateful to Jennifer Wise–Alexander and Tim Vander, who will find part of their contributions to the second edition in the book. Edo Engel did the editing, as in the previous three editions. Danieli Corus supported publication of the book.
For the fourth edition we enjoyed support from many colleagues worldwide. We are indebted to N. Bleijendaal, J. Borrego and L. Castro (AHMSA, Mexico), P. Etchevarne (Ternium, Argentina), D. Fisher (British Steel, UK), G.J. Gravemaker, Dr. B. Nightingale (Australia), T. Spiering (fellow traveler), Yuanyi Liu (China), Dr. Fuming Zhang (China) and P. Zonneveld.
We learn by sharing our knowledge. We wish the same to our readers.
Maarten Geerdes, Rénard Chaigneau, Oscar Lingiardi, Ron Molenaar, Rob van Opbergen, Yongzhi Sha, Peter Warren
September 2020