A PCI system is designed for pulverized coal injection into blast furnaces at a rate of up to 150 kg/t of hot metal; due to this technology it is possible to reduce the consumption of expensive coke by 20−30%, natural gas — by 70−80%.
The process flow diagram of a PCI system includes the following main operations: raw coal receipt, transportation and storage; coal preparation for pulverizing; storage of prepared coal and its transportation to the pulverizing department; coal grinding to less than 90 microns (at least 80%) with simultaneous drying to 1.5% residual moisture content to obtain pulverized coal ready for injection; PC distribution and feeding to static distribution units of blast furnaces; PC distribution to BF tuyeres. Nitrogen generation and supply is also an integral part of the PC production and injection into blast furnaces.