Abstract:
The performance of a Steel Shop depends on the stability of its equipment, and the thermal balance of the BOF is essential to guarantee the thermal stability of liquid steel, reducing downtime for reheating, adjusting the tapping temperature, as well as avoiding thermal losses to the metallic shell. One way to improve the thermal balance would be the use of insulators in combination with the working refractory material. This work is unprecedented in the use of insulators in BOF, with implementation at the Usiminas Steel Shop in BOF#4. The results observed during the campaign increased BOF productivity, reduced downtime for reheating, improved refractory lining and increased shell life.