Analysis of the Relationship between Productivity and Hearth Wall Temperature of a Commercial Blast Furnace and Model Prediction

High smelting intensity and long campaign life are highly desired for blast furnace ironmaking. However, high smelting intensity or productivity has an adverse effect on the campaign life. An analysis of the relationship between productivity and the temperature of a side wall of a hearth based on the data from a commercial blast furnace is first presented in this work. Then, to predict the temperature, a mathematical model is established with an iron flow estimation model. Based on the model, an outline of measures to extend the campaign life of a BF is discussed. Finally, a better initial profile for a BF hearth is proposed. The prediction shows that the convective heat transfer coefficient increases with the increase of molten iron circulation. The hearth erosion at 1.5 m below the taphole centerline is more severe than other locations because the corner of the deadman is located at this level and the distance between the deadman surface to the side wall reaches the minimum point. The sidewall of hearth might be constructed with a slope so that the distance between the sidewall of hearth and the deadman surface can be large at the deadman corner, reducing the circulation of the molten iron.