Data-driven Analysis of Sulfur Flows and Behaviour in the Blast Furnace

Sulfur has for long been known as a problematic element for the quality of iron, but along with its accumulation it also causes physical problems in the blast furnace, so it is of central importance to safeguard its removal from the process. Sulfur-related problems in the blast furnace were studied by applying a balance equation for the element at three industrial blast furnaces, tracking errors in the in- and outflows and estimating changes in the amount of accumulated sulfur. A hypothesis on the behaviour of sulfur in the process was proposed and supporting evidence of it was found through an analysis of dynamic phenomena in the hearth of one of the furnaces.