Metalloinvest Upgrades Blast Furnaces at Ural Steel

Metalloinvest has commenced the technical re-equipping of blast furnaces #2 and #3 at Ural Steel.

In order to be able to function with maximum efficiency for an extended period of time, the blast furnaces will be equipped with a cooling and lining system using high-heat copper cooling plates combined with graphite refractories.

The modernisation also involves the installation of a new automated control system for first- and second-tier technological processes, including the automation of natural gas injection and the supply of equipment for a new pumping station for chemically-purified water. Blast furnace #3 will have a new loading device installed.

The contract for the supply of main process equipment, shell material, cooling plates, lining and process control systems has been signed with Danieli Corus (Netherlands).

The commissioning of blast furnace #2 is scheduled for the second quarter of 2020, and for blast furnace #3 in the fourth quarter of 2020. The projected investment in the project will amount to more than 7 billion roubles (including VAT).

The project is being implemented as part of a strategic integrated development programme for Ural Steel. In the future, the programme will involve the modernisation of blast furnace #4 with the subsequent transfer to working on charge that predominantly uses iron ore pellets.

Andrey Varichev, CEO of Management Company Metalloinvest, said: “The reequipping of blast furnaces is an important step in the development programme for Ural Steel, which also includes the modernisation of the electric arc furnace shop, the construction of air separation unit #6 for outsourcing and other projects. This programme will significantly improve the efficiency of the enterprise and reduce its environmental impact.”

As a regular Metal-Expo exhibitor, Metalloinvest exhibits its steel and mining facilities on its massive exposition.