The objective of the automatic combustion control is to guarantee the operational stability of the coke batteries based on the control of the coking time and consequently, minimize the reduction of useful life of the ovens. This control is guided by a mathematical model whose inputs are process variables and raw materials parameters and outputs are combustion parameters. Therefore, this paper will present the evolution of the performance of the burning process, providing a stability of the coking time.

Anthracite coal as fuel for iron ore sintering is compared with coke breeze. Anthracite is lower in porosity, higher in density, and slower in combustion rate. With higher proportion of anthracite in fuel, permeability of sinter bed tends to decrease resulting in lower sinter productivity. Higher fuel rate with more replacement of coke breeze by anthracite is ascribed to the lower density of heat source particles and to the lower heat value and more volatile matters of anthracite. A smaller particle size for anthracite is recommended. Some subsidiary heat sources such as magnetite ore and mill scale could be helpful for more uniform sintering.

Dissolution of ZrO2 oxide in synthetic CaO - Al2O3 - SiO2 - Na2O - B2O3 mould fluxes was investigated in situ using a Confocal Scanning Laser Microscope (CSLM). Evolution of particle radius with time is obtained exhibiting strong dependence on temperature and basicity of the mould fluxes. The rate-limiting step of the dissolution process was discussed, and basicity was shown to significantly influence the rate-limiting step.

In most cases, hot metal dephosphorization slag is saturated with dicalcium-silicate that forms complete solid solution with tricalciumphosphate; the partition ratio of phosphorous between C2S and liquid slag is large. In order to utilize the effect of C2S phase for the improvement of reaction efficiency, the optimum route of the slag composition change during dephosphorization should be clarified. The results of the fundamental experiments about the phosphorous partition between C2S and liquid slag from the viewpoints of equilibrium and kinetics are reported.

Titanium-stabilized ultra-low carbon steels are often used in surfacequality critical applications and also susceptible to clogging problems in the casting process. The Automated Steel Cleanliness Analysis Tool (ASCATTM), based on computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy, was used to quantify the content and compositions of inclusions present in the steel. The effects of alloy addition timing at the RH degasser and of tundish slag composition on cleanliness in these grades are discussed.

With extremely high cooling rates, a combined laminar jet and spray nozzle design cooling facility is the most advanced tool for the evolution of mechanical properties of high-strength steels. The main metallurgical aspects of Accelerated Cooling (ACC) and Direct Quenching (DQ) are presented. Typical plate applications are brought up. Design, engineering and operational aspects of modern cooling facilities are explained. Of particular importance for a homogenous cooling process is a powerful process control featuring advanced process models.

The corrosion risks in a wet flue gas desulphurization system environment are reported. Uniform and localized corrosion resistance of different stainless steels is studied by electrochemical tests. The effects of chloride content, fluoride content, pH and temperature on corrosion resistance are discussed. The results show that duplex UNS S32205 or superduplex UNS S32520 grades are prime substitutes for austenitic 317LNM or super austenitic like UNS S34565 grades in many aggressive environments. The life cycle costs of scrubbers constructed of stainless steels plates or clad plates are compared. The excellent corrosion resistance of duplex and superduplex stainless steels, combined with their increased mechanical properties and moderate alloy cost afford very cost effective solutions for wet flue gas desulphurization.