Blast furnace blower system process design
A well-designed and constructured blast furnace blower system takes into account the principles of maintaining a consistent airflow within a blast furnace. The importance of establishing a consistent airflow within the blast furnace lies in providing the combustion process with sufficient levels of oxygen while preventing the buildup of carbon monoxide inside the furnace. Currently, the most widely constructed blast furnace blower system is a balanced draft, or siphon system. In this system, the blast furnace is supplied with air, oxygen, and other combustible gasses, through a series of open-ended inlets. The temperature inside the blast furnace is measured and regulated while maintaining a regulated pressure to ensure that the outflow is uniform.
Design specifications of blast furnace blower systems should be based upon the technical data of the furnace being serviced, as well as its calculated operational parameters. Generally, the size of a blast furnace is based upon the volume and rate of combustion of the gases and combustibles being used, as well as their operation temperature. Additionally, the size of a proper blast furnace blower system should also meet the needs of the furnaces daily operation. This includes the pressure range of the inlet and outlet, the volume of air and oxygen supply, and the optimum temperature of combustion.
The optimal conditions for a blast furnace blower system vary based on the type of iron ore being used and the fuel, size and shape of the ore, quantity of iron being fired, as well as the operation load of the blast furnace.
The preliminary design of a blast furnace blower system should be structured to capture and use data from multiple points throughout the furnaces operation. At a minimum, this data should include the chamber pressure, gas-flow rate, and oxygen-feed rate. It should also include axial and circumferential velocity distributions and measures of the pressure distribution in the blast furnace. This data should then be used to determine the overall design and size of the blower system. For example, if the chamber pressure is too high, the size of the blower system should be increased to decrease chamber pressure and improve efficiency.
Once the preliminary design has been determined, the engineer selected for the project must draw up a schematic diagram of the blast furnace blower system. This plan should take into account the tolerances in the components of the system and should be structurally sound. The engineer must then construct the blower section of the system and test for flow rate, pressure, and other operational parameters; these parameters are documented for later comparison of the expected and actual results.
The construction of a blast furnace blower system is complex and requires knowledge of mechanical engineering, thermodynamics and material science. The engineer is responsible for ensuring that all components of the blower system comply with engineering and safety standards and meet the necessary safety features. Additionally, the engineer must ensure that all components of the blower system are properly sealed, mounted and connected. The engineer must also make sure that all necessary parts and appliances are in working condition before the system is installed and in use.
A well-constructed blast furnace blower system should be able to efficiently and effectively provide the necessary air and oxygen flow to the furnace, while controlling the furnace’s temperature and pressure to ensure maximum efficiency and minimal hazardous consequences. The engineer is responsible for setting up the blower system in a manner that meets the requirements established by the manufacturer and the safety laws and regulations set forth by governmental authorities.
