Exactly a month ago blast furnace No.4 was shut down for reconditioning repair. Built in 1948, it has served the Works for 60 years. During 4 furnace campaigns in the period from 1948 to 2008 blast furnace No.4 has produced 46 million 332 thousand tons of pig iron. This is more than on each of the neighbouring furnaces No.2,3 and 5 (from 43 to 45 million tons).
During this period it remained standing on its first, post-war foundation, the condition of which, as a result of inspection accomplished at the end of last year, has been acknowledged as unsatisfactory.
The Works order foresees the accomplishment of the repair of the furnace in 2 stages. The first one is reconditioning repair (2009), the second — accomplishment of a complex of works connected with reconstructive measures (2010-12). A.P. Fomenko, main specialist on metallurgical production, has been appointed the head of reconditioning repair. After salamander tapping the furnace was handed over for repair to the construction maintenance department “Zaporozhstalstroy-1”.
The main task of the first stage is to build a new foundation for blast furnace No.4 leaving the furnace in its original place. This is quite a difficult task which requires basic technical decisions to be taken by the state enterprise “Ukrgipromez”. It is necessary to take an optimal decision to restore the furnace with minimum expenditures and without any risk. At present variants regarding fulfillment of this job together with the Works’ specialists are being considered. They incline to build supports under the furnace in the shape of 4 metal columns.
Until this global problem is being solved dismantling is going on. Among other things during next week the furnace charging gear will be dismantled and by the end of the month cleaning of the furnace of remains of material and refractories will start.