Open Access Conference Proceedings

The key elements affecting the technology of pig iron production include zinc and all its compounds. Zinc generally belongs to heavy metals. It has very negative impact during the production of iron, as well as on the quality of the produced metal itself. With regards to the physical and chemical properties of these metals, there is a cycle between the lower parts of blast furnace with high temperatures, which lead to reduction and vaporization, and upper parts of the furnace shaft with low temperatures, where the vapour condenses. Zinc affects especially the quality and life of blast furnace lining within the blast furnace process. Zinc gradually builds up and causes continuous degradation of blast furnace lining. The amount of zinc in blast furnace lining is different in its individual parts. This is given by the blast furnace process sequence, especially the amount of zinc entering the process in the form of the input raw materials. The research has experimentally determined the amount of zinc in the input and output raw materials and the quantities allocated in the selected parts of blast furnace lining. The objective of this article is to analyze the main sources of zinc entering the blast furnace process and to identify its effect on the life and quality of blast furnace lining.

Keywords: iron, steel, costs, zinc

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