Steel Institute VDEh (Düsseldorf, Germany):

Lüngen H. B., Dr. Eng., Director in Technology, e-mail: hans-bodo.luengen@vdeh.de

ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG (Duisburg, Germany):
Peters M., Dr. Eng., Head of Production Hot Metal
Schmöle P., Dr. Eng., Prof., Head of Competence Centre Metallurgy

The blast furnace — converter route is dominant in Europe steelmaking. Investments are being made to modernize hot metal production plants in Europe. The coking plants, sinter units and blast furnaces are powerful and environmentally friendly. Blast furnaces operated in Europe are highly performed, low in reductant rates and highly efficient. Campaign lives of more than 20 years have been achieved. In view of the demands for massive reductions of CO₂ emissions in Europe, however, it will be necessary to work on solutions regarding whether, and how, the carbon-based blast furnace — converter route can meet such demands. Ironmaking in blast furnace plants has changed from «old economy» to «factory of the future»: clean, highly performing, environmentally friendly and socially sustainable. Investments have been done in modernization of blast furnace plants, in new coal injection facilities and new top gas recovery turbines. The lowest limits of reductant consumption under the given boundary conditions and also the lowest limits of the resulting CO₂ emissions are reached.

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2. Kopietz, В.; Beckmann, H.-B.; Nelles, L.: Construction and commissioning of coke plant capacity increase Huttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann — an important contribution for securing the production site, stahl u. eisen 135 (2015) No. 3, p. 65/72.
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