Effect of Oxygen Lance Copper Tip Position Management on Corrosion of MgO–C Refractory Lining in Basic Oxygen Furnace During Campaign

The research focuses on the management of oxygen lance copper tip rotation to mitigate wear on the MgO–C refractory lining in the basic oxygen furnace (BOF). This study investigates the continuous increase in the consumption of gunning mixture throughout the BOF campaign, particularly in the trunnion area. Clear trends in refractory thickness reduction were observed, with two significant wear phases identified: between heats 1000–7000 and between heats 11,000–16,000. These phases correlate with increased gunning mixture consumption. The most significant wear was found between 4–5.2 m height, known as the trunnion area. The study proposes turning of the oxygen lance copper tip (jet) during its replacement to distribute refractory lining wear more evenly and reduce gunning mixture consumption. A detailed analysis of the gunning mixture consumption during whole campaign as well as laser measurements of the working lining profile confirmed localized wear in areas of the trunnions that were excessively exposed by the direct impact of the pure oxygen jet stream and the sprayed and spitted emulsion of molten metal and slag. This position management strategy, coupled with slag splashing and high-basic slag coating, can reduce trunnion area gunning mixture usage and promote uniform MgO–C lining wear.