Pulverised Coal Injection (PCI)

Pulverised Coal Injection (PCI)

PCI for Blast Furnace method is becoming very popular globally. It is a process that involves injecting large volumes of fine coal particles into the raceway of a blast furnace (BF). This provides not only a supplemental carbon source but also speeds up the production of liquid iron besides reducing the need for metallurgical coke for reactions in the blast furnace. The desire to move away from the production of the metallurgical coke with its inherent environmental problems has motivated the use of pulverized coal injection in the blast furnace.

Advantages of PCI

1. PCI uses non coking coal. This coal is cheaper than the metallurgical coke. In most of the blast furnaces PCI replaces 30 to 50% of the metallurgical coke charge. This results in lower fuel cost
2. The productivity of blast furnace improves since coal injection is accompanied with oxygen injection.
3. A wide grade of coals can be injected
4. Injection rates are higher than the injection rates of other fuels such as oil and natural gas.
5. Coal grinding and injection systems are non polluting systems. Hence the overall pollution from coke production for iron making gets reduced by injecting pulverized coal in the blast furnace.
6. Coal supplies are relatively stable when compared with the petroleum fuels supplies.
7. Coal injection system is less costly than the cost of an additional coke oven battery. Lower capital cost means lower depreciation and interest to be charged on hot metal.

MHL is counted as a very reliable Technology Provider for building PCI Plant for the improvement of Blast Furnace Process parameters and Furnace profitability.