Durability of air and slag tuyeres

Conclusions

• 1. The main cause of mass burning of air and slag tuyeres was the impairment in the thermal condition on the periphery of the hearth after installation of tuyeres of smaller diameter. The situation became worse as the mechanical strength of the coke decreased. These changes in conjunction with other factors (physical properties of the slag, channel flow, agglomerate which was hard to reduce) led to periodic clogging of the hearth.

• 2. During the mass breakdowns the air tuyeres were ruined due to the action of molten iron. When the causes favoring this situation were eliminated, breakdown of the tuyeres was occasioned by abrasive action of chunks of coke and to less extent by the abrasive action of solid particles in the blast.