The Russian steel producer Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) has announced that it is carrying out overhauling work at its blast furnaces, taking advantage of the current production cuts entailed by the reduced demand for steel.
Accordingly, MMK has already completed the scheduled 27-day overhaul of its blast furnace (BF) No. 2, directed towards the upgrading of the furnace's main equipment and increasing its technical and cost effectiveness. Earlier, MMK had carried out overhauling work at its BF No. 7, and is currently continuing repair works at air heaters No. 23 and No. 24 of this blast furnace. The repairs are planned to be completed by late winter-early spring.
Moreover, an overhaul is also being conducted at MMK's BF No. 8, which will allow the furnace to work at least five years without major first-category repair works. In addition, in the second quarter of the current year, MMK plans to carry out an overhaul at its BF No. 1.
The overhauling works will allow MMK to prolong the working life of its blast furnace facilities and to increase their cost effectiveness.