The objective of the automatic combustion control is to guaranteethe operational stability of the coke batteries based on the controlof the coking time and consequently, minimize the reduction of usefullife of the ovens. This control is guided by a mathematical modelwhose inputs are process variables and raw materials parametersand outputs are combustion parameters. Therefore, this paper willpresent the evolution of the performance of the burning process,providing a stability of the coking time.

Anthracite coal as fuel for iron ore sintering is compared withcoke breeze. Anthracite is lower in porosity, higher in density, andslower in combustion rate. With higher proportion of anthracite infuel, permeability of sinter bed tends to decrease resulting in lowersinter productivity. Higher fuel rate with more replacement of cokebreeze by anthracite is ascribed to the lower density of heat sourceparticles and to the lower heat value and more volatile matters ofanthracite. A smaller particle size for anthracite is recommended.Some subsidiary heat sources such as magnetite ore and mill scalecould be helpful for more uniform sintering.

Dissolution of ZrO2 oxide in synthetic CaO - Al2O3 - SiO2 -Na2O - B2O3 mould fluxes was investigated in situ using aConfocal Scanning Laser Microscope (CSLM). Evolution ofparticle radius with time is obtained exhibiting strong dependenceon temperature and basicity of the mould fluxes. Therate-limiting step of the dissolution process was discussed, andbasicity was shown to significantly influence the rate-limiting step.

In most cases, hot metal dephosphorization slag is saturated withdicalcium-silicate that forms complete solid solution with tricalciumphosphate;the partition ratio of phosphorous between C2S andliquid slag is large. In order to utilize the effect of C2S phase for theimprovement of reaction efficiency, the optimum route of the slagcomposition change during dephosphorization should be clarified.The results of the fundamental experiments about the phosphorouspartition between C2S and liquid slag from the viewpoints of equilibriumand kinetics are reported.

Titanium-stabilized ultra-low carbon steels are often used in surfacequalitycritical applications and also susceptible to cloggingproblems in the casting process. The Automated Steel CleanlinessAnalysis Tool (ASCATTM), based on computer-controlled scanningelectron microscopy, was used to quantify the content andcompositions of inclusions present in the steel. The effects of alloyaddition timing at the RH degasser and of tundish slag compositionon cleanliness in these grades are discussed.

With extremely high cooling rates, a combined laminar jet andspray nozzle design cooling facility is the most advanced tool forthe evolution of mechanical properties of high-strength steels. Themain metallurgical aspects of Accelerated Cooling (ACC) andDirect Quenching (DQ) are presented. Typical plate applicationsare brought up. Design, engineering and operational aspects ofmodern cooling facilities are explained. Of particular importancefor a homogenous cooling process is a powerful process controlfeaturing advanced process models.

The corrosion risks in a wet flue gas desulphurization systemenvironment are reported. Uniform and localized corrosionresistance of different stainless steels is studied by electrochemicaltests. The effects of chloride content, fluoride content, pH andtemperature on corrosion resistance are discussed. The results showthat duplex UNS S32205 or superduplex UNS S32520 gradesare prime substitutes for austenitic 317LNM or super austenitic likeUNS S34565 grades in many aggressive environments. The lifecycle costs of scrubbers constructed of stainless steels plates or cladplates are compared. The excellent corrosion resistance of duplexand superduplex stainless steels, combined with their increasedmechanical properties and moderate alloy cost afford very costeffective solutions for wet flue gas desulphurization.