Metallurgical reactor where the iron oxides and reducing agents are transformed to liquid hot metal (pig

iron) and slag is formed from the gangue of iron burden and the ash of coke. Thermodynamic conditions (gas composition and temperature) inside blast furnace allow impurities incorporation as silicon, carbon, phosphorus and sulphur to pig iron. Another elements go to the slag. The blast furnace operates in a countercurrent form. The solid burden flows downward as it reacts with the gases flowing upward. These gases are generated by coke combustion with air injected in the bottom of the furnace. Lump, sinter and pellets compose the blast furnace metallic burden. Coke is the reducing and fuel agent of the process. The blast furnace slag can be sold as raw material to cement industry. Bell-less charging equipment The raw materials are dropped into the furnace through a rotating chute. This device allows charging the raw materials into the furnace with appropriate distribution in the radial and angular direction. Advantages of the Bell Less Top System: 1. Burden Distribution More flexibility More Stable Operation 2. Higher Furnace Top Pressure Improved Furnace Operational Control 3. Reduced Maintenance Increased Furnace Campaign Life Increased Furnace Availability 4. Increased Furnace Production The blast furnace has a vertical cylindrical structure externally covered with a shell of thick steel plate and internally lined with refractory. The refractory structure is cooled by water-cooled metal components called cooling box or staves, which are assembled between the shell and the refractory wall. The furnace body is composed by (i) the shaft, which tapers outward from the top,

(ii) the belly, which is a straight cylinder, (iii) the bosh, which tapers inward toward its bottom and is located immediately under the belly, and (iv) the hearth, which is at the bottom of the furnace.