The role of alkalis and conserving resources in blast-furnace smelting

In ferrous metallurgy, the potential for conserving resources is often determined by the behavior of the impurity elements in metals production. This behavior may be highly complex, and its features may be interpreted differently by different experts. For example, the presence of zinc and alkali metals in the blast-furnace charge is known to result in excessive coke consumption, a reduction in the productivity of the furnace, an increase in the yield of top dust, shortening of the campaign, and in some cases to complete destabilization of the smelting operation. In choosing a technology for blast-furnace smelting, accounting for the entry of alkali metals and zinc into the furnace is one of the most important factors that determines the expediency of controlling the heat “from the top” or “from the bottom” features of the slag formation process, the gasdynamics of the smelting operation, and other characteristics.