A journey: Achieving 11KT of daily hot metal production milestone at blast furnace 1, Tata Steel Kalinganagar.

The article focuses on the achievement of a daily hot metal production milestone of 11,000 tons at Blast Furnace 1 (BF1) of Tata Steel Limited, Kalinganagar, through operational control measures. Key enablers identified include optimizing burden distribution, maintaining high top gas pressure (TGP), adjusting slag chemistry with increased basicity and MgO content, and raising raceway adiabatic flame temperature (RAFT) to reduce blast humidity. Additionally, the controlled injection of colemanite powder—a borate mineral—via the pulverized coal injection (PCI) system improved furnace permeability and slag fluidity, enabling higher wind volume and sustained production rates. The study presents detailed process parameter adjustments and trial results that collectively contributed to enhanced furnace productivity and fuel efficiency.