NLMK improves efficiency of blast furnace operations

NLMK Group, Russia's largest manufacturer of high value-added steel products, has improved the energy efficiency of blowing equipment used in blast furnace processes in Lipetsk. This upgrade will enable NLMK to reduce its environmental impact and save approximately RUB 210 million per year by reducing energy consumption.

Three state-of-the-art turbochargers were launched as part of a project to supply high-pressure air to NLMK. They will supply air at the first stage to the air heaters, and then to blast furnaces 3, 4 and 5. Testing of the third and final project is currently underway.

Alexander Starchenko, NLMK's Vice President for Energy, said that as a result of the renewal of existing equipment, the directions of the Strategy 2017 are being implemented, which was determined with the aim of consolidating the company's leadership by increasing the efficiency of all production processes and key indicators.

Retrofitting legacy equipment to create modern, high-performance equivalents increases operational stability and reduces energy consumption. The savings for each of the three units will exceed 70 million rubles per year.

Over the past few years, NLMK has implemented several major projects that have made it possible to increase production efficiency and the volume of electricity generated from secondary resources. Thus, a 150 MW waste heat and power plant was launched in Lipetsk, the complex of which includes a progressive blower station that meets the needs of blast furnaces for blast. In addition, an air separation unit for oxygen generation has been installed at NLMK.