Process control in steel plants

To control a blast furnace

Better energy efficiency is constantly on the agenda at energy intense industries such as pulp/paper, steel or aluminium production. Two processes that have been difficult to monitor in a reliable and robust way are the blast furnace and steel converter processes.

In a family of projects with Swerea Mefos, LKAB, SSAB and others, Acreo has designed a fiber optic lance is injected into the furnace, close to the hot zone. Inside the lance, several optical fiber eyes are looking at the hot zone, collecting spectral data.

With this information, it is possible to map the temperature distribution inside the furnace. For the first time, it is now possible to provide real time monitoring of the temperature distribution within the hot zone (‘raceway’) in a blast furnace.

Very promising tests using this technique have been carried out in the LKAB experimental blast furnace and at several other sites at Swedish steel industries.

Read more about the project at this invited paper in Elektroniktidningen. 

About the project family

Project objective: To develop fiber optic sensing technologies for increased process control in steel- and metal industry.

Project leader: Swerea Mefos.

Project members: Acreo, Swerea Mefos, LKAB, SSAB, and other industrial partners.

Funding: Industrial partners, Swedish ICT Research, Swerea, Rise

Other: Some of these projects are carried out within Acreo Fiber Optic Center.

Acreo contact: Erik Zetterlund, erik.zetterlund(at)acreo.se, ph: +46 8 632 7799.