Lead blast-furnace evolution: a new approach

Abstract

Metaleurop operates three primary lead blast furnaces adapted to the smelting of lead raw material. Their working ratios have been improved for the last ten years in particular for coke rate, lead bullion output, manpower and energy per ton. This, and the well known flexibility of this kind of furnace with regard to raw materials, allow them to increase its com-petitivity. In addition, this process has also to comply with the challenge of environmental regulations in particular for dust and SO₂ emissions.

The major target is the treatment of sintering offgases. It will be reached in the near future due to specific investments.

The most difficult target is the treatment of the lead blast furnace offgases. As the SO₂ level is very low, a specific process has to be developed.

Studies performed on this possible process pointed out a real chance of success if we can manage with the following points:

• feeding quality and repartition after the sealing of the blast furnace top,

• risk of accretions in the furnace as well as in the afterburning chamber,

• energy consumption with a nearly autogeneous post combustion,

The alternative is the use of completely new processes. Everybody knows that any really new industrial process needs a major research and development costs and that its optimization in order to reach a competitive position may last longer than expected. In addition, expected operating profits are insufficient to meet the very high investment required for these new technologies which, as far as we know, in the main, solve environmental problems.

Thanks to studies and tests, the traditional process will be able to meet the same environ-mental regulations with investment programmes far less costly and with increased flexibility of raw material treatment.