Abstract
The use of the PCI method, a blast furnace auxiliary fuel supply method which has replaced oil injection, was extended to many additional blast furnaces after the 2nd oil crisis in 1979. It is believed to be one of the most reliable blast furnace fuel injection methods.
At present, the technical development of the PCI facilities has almost been completed, and the recent improvement of blast furnace operations has made it possible to use various types of coal, and to increase the PC injection rate to over 100kg/t-pig.
In oder to further increase the PC rate, it is necessary to make additional improvements in the blast furnace operations especially in the areas of PC combustion efficiency, burden properties and burden distribution in the furnace. In the near future, the PC rate may reach as high as 200kg/t-pig. The blast furnace operation, which still strongly depends upon the use of coke, is at the present time at a turning point.
