Analysis of current trends and prospects for pig iron production in small blast furnaces

A modern blast furnace has wide possibilities for using various natural and man-made resources, coke and its substitutes, and can use a large share of ore-carbon briquettes, one of the most promising materials in terms of optimal indicators of blast furnace efficiency. Various methods of modernization and improvement are available for a modern small blast furnace. In fact, it can be a reduced version of a modern large furnace. In particular, the profile of a small blast furnace can be changed, which is ensured by modern equipment, air blowers and loading devices. Such a modification is possible up to the creation of a “wide” low-shaft furnace, best suited for processing secondary material resources with a high zinc load. A small blast furnace, using available achievements, can be not only a source of high-quality pig iron, but also be a cost-effective unit for recycling secondary materials and wastes of various origins.