The CM100 and it's introduction onto the blast furnace coke feed conveyor allows the operators to correctly calculate the dry weight of coke being used, which provides them with better thermal control, and improved chemistry control of the molten iron, which also has benefits for other areas of the plant.

Flexible burden distribution control is one of the key tools in the iron making process, providing the operator with the means to control, influence and improve furnace operation overcoming limitations presented by the raw materials. The SIMETALCIS Gimbal Top charging system, as part of the overall Furnace Top, offers an infinitely flexible, fully-integrated charging solution for minimal investment, generating significant improvement in blast furnace operation and maintenance cost.

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.

A comparative study between the mineral coals used by ArcelorMittal Tubarão has been carried out, aiming at determining complementing criteria to the current energy model for the mineral coals purchasing qualification used for injection in the blast furnace. Material characterization techniques were employed allowing the mapping of the characteristics of the coals which potentially affect the stability of the pig iron production process.


Based on results from microscopic analysis of steel samples, flow field calculations thermodynamic and kinetic considerations, a model has been derived that describes the evolution of the concentration, composition and size of the inclusions in the liquid steel during the injection of calcium. The mathematical solution of the model requires the incorporation of Population Balance Equations. The modelling results are compared to the actual inclusion composition in the steel from IJmuiden BOS2.

In order to increase their production of steel plates to 7.5 million tons/year, ArcelorMittal Tubarão faced the challenge to increase sinter plant productivity from 34.00 t/d/m2 to 42.00 t/d/m2. This was achieved in June 2006 through three main actuators: raw materials, stabilization and optimization of the current equipment and implementation of new technologies.

The blow-in of CSN blast furnace n°3 in 2006 is reported with a focus on a large solidified salamander that had to be tapped. Analytical and finite element models have been created to predict the expansion phenomena. The predicted values are compared with the hearth shell stress and strain measurements executed during the blow-in.