A new process is described of handling the pulverized coal injection (PCI) into blast furnaces in an energy efficient way, aiming at decreasing the specific consumption of electricity and nitrogen. The process improvement included two new phases in the main coal vessels sequence. The return on investment (ROI) was high as the specific electricity and nitrogen consumption were reduced and the lifetimes of operational valves were increased as well. The process is now operationally more stable when compared to the original design.

1. Mills, D.: Pneumatic Conveying Design Guide, 2nd ed., Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann, New York, USA, 2005.
2. Birk, W.; Johansson, A.; Medvedev, A.: IEEE Control System Mag. 19 (1999) No. 1, p. 33/43.
3. Motta, R. S. N.; Zanetti, C. H.; Figueira, R. B.; Mendes, A. R.: Expansion of the injection nominal capacity in the PCI plant of CSN from 40 to 50 t/h, XXII Seminary of Global Energetic Balances and ABM Utilities, June 2000, João Monlevade, Brazil.
4. Motta, R. S. N.; Zanetti, C. H.; Figueira, R. B.; Franklin, F.; Silva, A. J. L.: Reduction of pulverized coal injection system stops, 5th Europ. Coke and Ironmaking Congr., 13–15 May 2005, Stockholm, Sweden.