Russian steel producer Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) has stated that it has completed technical upgrades to its blast furnace No. 8. Currently, the blast furnace is gradually reaching its operational performance level.
The total investment in the blast furnace modernization amounted to approximately RUB 2 billion ($32.9 million). The core scope of work focused on the blast furnace itself - all of its components (cooling units, housing, lining, hearth cooling pipes, etc.) have been replaced.
The automation controls of the blast furnace have also undergone significant upgrades. New controllers produced by Siemens have been installed instead of the previous outdated components. Much of the equipment installed on the blast furnace was made in Russia.
The technical upgrades to the blast furnace started in December 2014. The modernization work was scheduled to last 100 days, but, thanks to efforts of the company's contractors and the departments involved, the project was completed ahead of schedule.
Blast furnace No. 8 was originally commissioned on January 16, 1954. It has an effective volume of 1,370 cubic meters with an output capacity of 3,200 mt of pig iron per day. The last major upgrades to the blast furnace were carried out in 1987.