OREANDA-NEWS. December 05, 2007. Equipment having no analog in home metallurgy has been commissioned in November at Azovstal: infrared camera for charge level visual control and development of gas flows of BF is operating at BF No 6, reported the press-centre of Azovstal.

For the first time in Ukraine, infrared camera has been installed at Azovstal BF No 6. It enables to read out relative temperature fields, determine material level and control distribution of gas flow in BF.

Due to usage of state-of–the–art equipment, time required for data collection and processing about internal processes in the furnace and on-line decision-making of changing in furnace charging is considerably reduced.

"All-out control of raw materials and power resources consumption at all production levels is the keystone of our business success. Implementation of advanced technologies and advanced equipment enables to bring up problem of optimization of costs connected with raw material to a new level, and this is another resource for salary growth dynamics of our employees" - said General Director of PJSC Azovstal Iron & Steel Works Dmitry Livshits.

Increase of gas flow usage due to controlled distribution of materials in BF will lead to reduction of coke consumption by 9,6 tons per day. Reduction of costs connected with raw materials is expected to be $280 thousand; also due to gas flow optimal use content of CO in blast furnace gas is considerably reduced.

This equipment gives additional advantages such as reduction of repair time and increase of furnace service life.

Project costs made up more than 780 thousand UAH. Similar equipment is planned to be installed at all blast furnaces.