NLMK Group has implemented the resource-saving pulverized coal injection (PCI) technology at 90% of its blast furnace capacities at NLMK Lipetsk. NLMK has launched hot-testing of the PCI unit at its most productive blast furnace, namely blast furnace No. 7 (with a capacity of 4.3 million tons per year).
This technology involves co-injecting natural gas and fine coal particles into the blast furnace, resulting in reduced coke consumption. Replacing expensive raw materials with cheaper alternatives, such as switching from coking coal to steam coal, reduces the cost of pig iron production by approximately 5%. PCI volume will be no less than 150 kg/t of pig iron. The complex is equipped with two coal pulverizer & dryer systems with a capacity of 75 t/h each.
Konstantin Lagutin, NLMK Group Vice President for Investment Projects, said: “We are completing one of the key Strategy 2017 projects aimed at significantly cutting costs and optimizing raw material consumption. With a fourth blast furnace at NLMK Lipetsk being equipped with a PCI system, over 90% of the plant’s blast furnace capacities will now be covered by this resource-saving technology. This will enable a 30% decrease in the consumption of expensive coke; and a 50% reduction in the consumption of natural gas.”
This resource-saving technology is being implemented at NLMK’s blast furnaces in turn. Previously, this technology was introduced at blast furnace No. 5 (2.7 million tons per year) and blast furnace No. 4 (1.8 million tons per year). Hot-testing at blast furnace No. 6 (3.1 million tons per year) began in June.
Start-up of the PCI units at blast furnaces No. 6 & 7 is scheduled for Q3. PCI project capex for the two blast furnaces exceeded 6.8 billion rubles. (NLMK/Ukrainian metal)