Blast furnace hearth condition monitoring and taphole management techniques

The condition of the coke bed in the lower zones of the blast furnace deter mines the nature of liquids flow into and through the hearth. Methods for m onitoring the condition of deadman cleanliness and coke bed voidage at the taphole level have been developed. Influences on metal chemistry and hearth refractory heat loads are discussed. This paper also discusses strategies for management of taphole performance by application of operator guidance t echniques which employ real time data acquisition and the on-line applicati on of mathematical models of liquids removal during casting. Recommendation strategies for installed clay volume and taphole opening/closure times are discussed.