Burden distribution estimation in the blast furnace from stockrod and probe signals

The burden distribution in the blast furnace is estimated on the basis of m easurements provided by the stockrods in combination with information about changes in the gas temperatures measured by an above-burden probe after ea ch dump of burden. The former measurements yield an estimate of the local l ayer thickness close to the wall while the latter ones are used to evaluate the layer thickness in the center of the furnace. The layer thickness Valu es estimated by the method and values computed on the basis of geometrical considerations under simplifying assumptions were found to show good agreem ent. The results hold promise for a successful on-line estimation of the bu rden distribution in an operating blast furnace.