Gary Works' blast furnace damage awaits prognosis

Gary Works’ blast furnace damage awaits prognosis

As reported Monday, part of US Steel's Gary Works No. 14 blast furnace was involved in a multi-wheel carrier accident, causing possible damage and construction delays. More details about the accident have emerged. A prefabricated, 320-ton section was being positioned for placement in the furnace when it fell off the multi-wheel carrier transporting it. The failure was blamed on the carrier's hydraulics units. The accident could push back the late-October target for finishing construction of the $260 million furnace. US Steel's Carlee Vargo told SteelOrbis that the company is still working to determine the extent of any damage the blast furnace may have sustained. The rebuild of the 30-year-old Blast Furnace No. 13 began in July and is being renamed No. 14 because it is a technological upgrade to No. 13. When finished, it will be capable of producing over 2'100 more tons of hot metal daily than No. 13.