SAIL-RSP to commission 4th hot-blast stove in CY’26 to increase overall plant efficiency

• Stove to allow greater flexibility in BF operations
• RSP targeting to raise total capacity to over 9 mnt by 2030

Steel major Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) is about install a fourth hot-blast stove, this time for blast furnace No. 5 at the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP). The technology supplier is Primetals Technologies. The additional stove will allow RSP to carry out sequential repairs on existing stoves while maintaining production levels.

Efficiency & longevity

The new internal-combustion-chamber stove will be supplied as a turnkey project, with Primetals Technologies responsible for design, detailed engineering, equipment supply, construction, and full commissioning. The scope of supply includes the stove shell, refractories, electrical and automation equipment including field instruments, and an upgrade to Level 1 automation system.

The internal combustion technology will feature an enhanced dome shape and construction, designed to manage expansion and high temperatures more efficiently. In addition, the new unit features a unique burner design, which ensures a more stable flame.

Commissioning is planned for mid-2026. Once operational, the fourth stove will provide greater flexibility and stability for blast furnace operations at RSP.

BF 5 & capacity expansion

RSP was India’s first publicly owned integrated steel plant. It began operations in 1959 with an initial capacity of 1 million tonnes (mnt). Continuous investment and upgrades have increased the plant’s capacity to 4.5 mnt of hot metal annually.

One of the biggest BFs of the country, the new blast furnace 5 with a useful volume of 4,060 m3 is designed for a production capacity of 2.8 mnt per annum with an average daily hot metal production of 7,924 t per day.

The furnace operates at a high intensification level and for a campaign life of 20 years. Equipped with modern features such as pulverised coal injection system, cast house fume extraction system, cast house slag granulation system, top gas recovery turbines of 14 MW capacity, heat recovery system, plate/stave coolers and conveyor belt charging system, this BF has Level II automation.

In consonance with SAIL’s expansion plan to 35 mnt by 2030 from 20-21 mnt currently, RSP has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Steel to raise total capacity to 9.3 mnt by 2030.