Experimental blast furnace

LKAB’s experimental blast furnace in Luleå is strategically important for research and development.

   Thanks to the EBF, we can learn more about how our products perform in the blast furnace. We can also develop better methods for laboratory testing and learn how different operating parameters influence the process. The EBF allows us to take samples of the charge material during operation, and at the end of a campaign the furnace can be quenched and dug out for subsequent analysis.

   The EBF is the most modern test facility of its kind in the world, and the steel industry has shown a great interest. The furnace gives us many different options for product development. Many of the risks involved in full-scale trials in a production blast furnace can be avoided.

Contact

For further information about the experimental blast furnace, contact one of the Sales & Marketing Division’s sales offices.

Furnace data

Volume: 8.2 m

Hearth diameter: 1.2 m

Production: 36 tonnes/24 hrs

Height: 14 m

Blast temperature: 1200_C

Coke/coal consumption: 510 kg/tonne of hot metal

Manning: 6 operators/shift

Hot metal analysis:

C, 4.1-4.7%

Si, 0.6–1.2%

S, 0.03–0.1%