An Online Visualization Model of the Slag Crust Thickness on the Copper Staves of the Blast Furnace

The slag crust thickness on the hot surface of the copper cooling staves in the high thermal load areas of a blast furnace is crucial for the safe operation and long campaign of the blast furnace. In this study, a heat transfer model for the slag crust and the copper cooling staves in a blast furnace is established. The temperature distribution in the slag crust and copper cooling staves is calculated and the temperature variation in the copper cooling stave with the change of slag crust thickness is also studied. The temperature measurement data of the copper cooling staves are fitted with the corresponding slag crust thicknesses, and an online model for calculating the slag crust thickness is established. The slag crust thickness is displayed in the form of a contour map by unfolding the slag crust and the copper cooling staves along the circumferential direction of blast furnace, by which the visualization of slag crust thickness distribution and the variation in slag crust thickness with time can be achieved. This online visualization model can help operators accurately judge the locations where the slag crust thickness fluctuates severely, and take timely and effective measures to guarantee the normal operation condition.