Krohne Optimass units installed at blast furnace

Edited by the Processingtalk editorial team Mar 26, 2007

Krohne Optimass Coriolis flowmeters are being used to measure the density and mass flow of an abrasive slurry, at a steelworks blast furnace in the Czech Republic

Wellingborough-based Krohne has supplied ten Optimass Coriolis flowmeters for installation at a blast furnace in the Czech Republic.

The instruments are being used in applications to measure the density and mass flow of slurry.

The Optimass flowmeters are being used in two processes; first on circulation pumps where they help to optimise the conveyance of slurry.

The second is on the feed to centrifuges where the slurry density needs to be accurately controlled for efficient operation.

During the production of raw iron or steel, blast gas is emitted, which contains a high concentration of extremely fine dusty particles.

Water is injected into the gas to reduce its temperature and capture the particles and clean the gas.

The water collects in settling basins where the dust particles drop to the bottom to form an abrasive slurry.

This has a density of between 1,050 and 1,200 kg/m (depending on its type) and is transported to thickening basins by circulating pumps.

Optimass flowmeters are installed on the pressure side of the circulation pumps and provide two independent measurement outputs.

A density reading is taken and used to help optimise the flow of the slurry while a mass flow reading helps to monitor the condition of the pump (which can wear because of the abrasive nature of the slurry) and also to compile slurry data.

On the feed to the centrifuges, the Optimass flowmeters help to maintain the density of the slurry at 1,200 kg/m - the level required for optimum efficiency.

The instruments provide a signal which is used to control the addition of water and again to monitor the pump condition.

Krohne Optimass flowmeters are ideally suited to this type of application.

The instrument has a single straight-tube design and will operate accurately and reliably in low flow/high density applications without introducing significant pressure drop.