Pulverized coal injection (PCI) method has beenwas developed in 19th century, howeverbut thethis method was not being implemented till the 1970s. Rise ofin concerns indue to increased [[coke]] cost due to competition from accumulated demand for iron production and limiting resources, this method attractedwas attractive to iron making industries and appealedincreased its value.
PCI method is based on the simple concept thatof primary air (termed as conveying gas) carrycarrying pulverized coal through thea lance into the [[tuyere]] (mid bottom side inlet of blast furnace), then mixmixed with secondary hot air (termed as blast) supplied through a blowpipe in tuyere then piped to a furnace andto creatingcreate a balloon like cavity called a “raceway”, which then propagates coal, coke combustions and melts solid iron ore and reducereduces it to molten iron. The most remarkable property of thethis method was that this method allows for cheaper coal to be consumed in the system to replace expensive coke; as a result, it can remarkably savecut cost.down Althoughon duecosts. Due to severe environment inside the furnace, (>2000K), visual observations of raceway shape and size is impossible, therefore numericalsensors methodregestering isnumbers are preferred to virtually investigate the chemical and physical phenomenonreactions inside the furnace.
Better understanding of racewaythe raceway and PCI method can optimize the performance of a blast furnace and reduce theits cost. In recent years, further improvement of PCI method, and the use of coal blendsblend (mixing multiple different coals) injection methodmethods are strongly attracting industry.
