ABSTRACT
The classical blast furnace is still the principal means of hot metal production. In fact, over 95% of the total iron in the world is produced using this process, as was the case a century ago. Such a long and sustained track record of blast furnaces arises out of the continuous developments in design, such as increases in capacity; alterations in profile; improved burden distribution systems like movable throat armor and Paul Wurth top; high top pressure operation, etc. There are, however, certain limitations inherent in the blast furnace process. The process depends on metallurgical coal, it is an economically viable process only when it produces relatively large quantities, and it requires elaborate supporting facilities such as raw materials handling and preparation systems, a sinter plant, coke ovens, a gas cleaning system, etc. In the blast furnace process, the energy is supplied by the hot blast, the combustion of coke, and increasingly, by direct coal injection through the tuyeres.
