Operating ferrous and non-ferrous bast furnaces

摘要

A method of operating a metal producing blast furnace 1 by charging carbon containing material 3 and oxidic materials 2 into the top of the furnace 1 and introducing blast air 4, commercial oxygen 8 and directly preheated gases from the direct combustion of solid, liquid or gaseous fuel 9 and 22 into the bottom of the furnace 1. The fuel may be at least in part recycled furnace gas 9. The fuel 9 and 22 is burnt in a combustion chamber 21 external to the furnace 1 with part of the blast air 4 which may be either cold or indirectly heated. These gases are then mixed with further blast air 4 before entry into the furnace 1. Water or steam 24 may also be added to the combusted gases before entry into the furnace 1.