JFE Steel Restarts No.4 Blast Furnace at Fukuyama

JFE Steel restarted no.4 blast furnace at Fukuyama area of West Japan works on Friday after the firm relined the furnace and expand the capacity to 5,000 cubic meters. The works’ total capacity of 7 furnaces exceeded 30,000 cubic meters. The firm completed expansion for annual 30 million tonnes of raw steel output including 21.5 million tonnes at West Japan works. The works’ raw steel output decreased to 18.666 million tonnes in fiscal 2005 ended March 2006 from 19.39 million tonnes in fiscal 2004 due to unfavorable export market. The West Japan works has expanded the blast furnace capacity in years to make more high-valued steel products and to secure capacity for output increase. The works expanded no.4 blast furnace at Kurashiki area from 4,826 cubic meters to 5,005 cubic meters in second half of fiscal 2001. The works expanded the capacity from 2,857 cubic meters to 4,100 cubic meters for no.2 furnace of Kurashiki in fiscal 2003 and from 4,664 cubic meters to 5,500 cubic meters for no.5 furnace of Fukuyama in first half of fiscal 2005. The firm just finished the expansion of no.4 furnace from 4,288 cubic meters to 5,000 cubic meters. The works increased the total capacity by 2,970 cubic meters to 30,015 cubic meters for 7 furnaces including 3 furnaces with more than 5,000 cubic meters capacity. The works completed the expansion in iron making capacity for 21.5 million tonnes of raw steel output. Fukuyama’s no.4 furnace had lower iron making capacity due to the aged facility after the commissioning in June 1990. The works were suffered from the higher maintenance cost for the furnace. The works started the working for relining and expansion on February 22. The works finished the working in 72 days by the large block ring construction method, which is speedy relining process, compared with traditional 150 days. The works expended around 25 billion yen for the relining. The works introduced the original three parallel bunker bell less top system to improve control input distribution of raw materials and improve reducing ability, instead of traditional bell top. The works also improves the durability of the furnace body by using high performance refractory bricks and better body cooling facility. The works renewed the furnace controlling room and controlling system.