Speaker
Description
The effective operation of hot stoves is critical to profitable blast furnace ironmaking. High hot blast temperatures and stable stove operation enable consistent metal production at low cost. Conversely, damage and operational disruptions affect process efficiency, iron quality, and downstream activities. While it is important to address damage expeditiously, comprehensive repairs are laborious, expensive, and require complex safety planning when executed independent of a planned shutdown. The campaign life assessment methodology incorporates a multi-disciplinary approach to study all elements of the hot stove while identifying options to safely extend its life. Operations, maintenance, and engineering teams work closely to develop practical strategies to maintain reliability and improve safety, while meeting business objectives through targeted repairs and interventions. This approach requires careful planning and execution to evaluate the remaining campaign life and achieve extension targets.