Improvement of Taphole Cleaning Equipment at İsdemir Blast Furnaces

Abstract

In this study, cleaning equipment used in cleaning around the tap holes in Iskenderun Iron and Steel Co. (ISDEMIR)
in Blast Furnaces are examined. The aim of this research reducing the cost of cleaning equipments, improving
cleaning process of the around of the tap hole and reducing the production losses due to the tap hole.
In ISDEMIR Blast Furnaces, tap holes are drilled by drill and liquid pig iron is discharging from tap holes. In each
blast furnace of ISDEMIR there are 10-12 casting operations per day. After each casting operation, employees
check for scaling around the casting hole. if scaling occurs around the tap holes, the tap holes cannot be closed by
mudgun, this situation leading to production losses and for this reason, around of the tap holes should be thoroughly
cleaned. The cleaning equipment used before the improvement project is shown in figure 1. After the improvement
project, the new design trimming apparatus is shown in figures 3 and 4. With the newly designed
equipment,roduction costs of the equipment and production losses due to cleaning processes have been reduced.