Russian steelmaker OJSC Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) has completed an overhaul of blast furnace number nine in Magnitogorsk.
The works, which included a technical overhaul of the cast houses, was launched in December last year. Blast furnace number nine is the most powerful blast furnace at MMK. It was the largest blast furnace in Europe when it was built in 1964.
During more than 50 years of operation blast furnace number nine has produced approximately 80Mt of pig iron. In 2008, it underwent upgrade work including the installation of a Paul Wurth bell-less top.
Recent repairs included raking out and preparation of the chimney, reconstruction of the lining, and replacement of the flue protection. Project design documentation was developed by Magnitogorsk Gipromez, and the United Service Company acted as general contractor, completing all operations to a tight deadline of just 37 days.