Bokaro: The Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL) has commissioned a coal dust injection (CDI) system at one of its blast furnaces to reduce dependence on expensive coke and generate annual savings of nearly Rs 100 crore.In a statement, the SAIL-run PSU said the 650-metre-long specialised pipeline will transport pulverised coal directly to blast furnace (BF)-3. The project was completed in four months and was commissioned on I-Day.Originally conceived to cater to BF-4 and BF-5, the CDI redesigned and linked to BF-3 following the proposed strategic closure of BF-5. The modification assumes added significance as BF-3 does not have its own coal milling facility, making uninterrupted coal supply critical for operations. The CDI system has a nominal capacity of 10 tonnes per hour (TPH), while commissioning trials demonstrated a theoretical conveying capability of up to 15 TPH.“Coal dust is conveyed through the pipeline using a regulated combination of nitrogen pressure and coal flow, ensuring smooth transportation without blockages. The automated system features PLC-based controls, two-stage nitrogen pressure regulation and a dedicated purging arrangement,” it said.“The successful commissioning of the CDI system reflects BSL’s ability to adapt to changing operational requirements, focusing on cost reduction and technological efficiency,” said Manikant Dhan, BSL’s chief of communication.
