The CM100 and it's introduction onto the blast furnace cokefeed conveyor allows the operators to correctly calculate thedry weight of coke being used, which provides them with betterthermal control, and improved chemistry control of the molteniron, which also has benefits for other areas of the plant.

Flexible burden distribution control is one of the key tools in theiron making process, providing the operator with the means tocontrol, influence and improve furnace operation overcominglimitations presented by the raw materials.The SIMETALCIS Gimbal Top charging system, as part of theoverall Furnace Top, offers an infinitely flexible, fully-integratedcharging solution for minimal investment, generating significantimprovement in blast furnace operation and maintenance cost.

A comparative study between the mineral coals used byArcelorMittal Tubarão has been carried out, aiming atdetermining complementing criteria to the current energy modelfor the mineral coals purchasing qualification used for injectionin the blast furnace. Material characterization techniques wereemployed allowing the mapping of the characteristics of thecoals which potentially affect the stability of the pig ironproduction process.


The objective of the automatic combustion control is to guaranteethe operational stability of the coke batteries based on the controlof the coking time and consequently, minimize the reduction of usefullife of the ovens. This control is guided by a mathematical modelwhose inputs are process variables and raw materials parametersand outputs are combustion parameters. Therefore, this paper willpresent the evolution of the performance of the burning process,providing a stability of the coking time.

Based on results from microscopic analysis of steel samples, flowfield calculations thermodynamic and kinetic considerations, amodel has been derived that describes the evolution of the concentration,composition and size of the inclusions in the liquid steelduring the injection of calcium. The mathematical solution of themodel requires the incorporation of Population Balance Equations.The modelling results are compared to the actual inclusion compositionin the steel from IJmuiden BOS2.

The blow-in of CSN blast furnace n°3 in 2006 is reported with a focuson a large solidified salamander that had to be tapped. Analyticaland finite element models have been created to predict the expansionphenomena. The predicted values are compared with the hearth shellstress and strain measurements executed during the blow-in.


In order to increase their production of steel plates to 7.5 million tons/year, ArcelorMittal Tubarão faced the challenge to increase sinter plant productivity from 34.00 t/d/m2 to 42.00 t/d/m2. This was achieved in June 2006 through three main actuators: raw materials, stabilization and optimization of the current equipment and implementation of new technologies.