Ask the Experts Metals

	Russell Hewertson Manager of Combustion Technology

Adding oxygen to your hot or cold blast cupolas can provide many benefits, including increased production rates, reduced coke usage, alloy solids injection into the melt zone, coke replacement with natural gas and reduced afterburner loads. The simplest way to add oxygen is to enrich the blast air. Since the oxygen isn’t targeted to a particular zone, however, the benefits are typically suboptimal. Oxygen lances (subsonic and supersonic) within the tuyeres require more equipment but provide significantly better results, particularly in production rates and coke savings. Supersonic oxygen–natural gas burners, which are retrofitted into the tuyeres, allow for even greater coke savings and production increases, plus reduced alloy losses of silicon and manganese. These burners can also be used in tandem with a solids injection lance to add fine alloy particles or recycled fines directly to the melt zone.

To discuss the right solution for your operation, give us a call at 800-654-4567. Mention code 749.