According to the capital investment programme for 2025, Kamet-Steel has begun large-scale construction of a new blast furnace gas collector. This project is extremely important for ensuring a reliable production process and increasing the efficiency of blast furnace gas usage. The new collector will replace the worn gas pipeline, which cannot be technically restored.
The collector is a vital element of Kamet-Steel's process infrastructure for collecting and transporting blast furnace gas—a by-product of blast furnace smelting – for its subsequent use in metallurgical production.
The construction is split into five stages. The first stage will last until the end of 2027, covering construction of a gas pipeline with a length of 330 metres. The total length of the gas pipeline will be 1,200 metres.
The first phase will involve building a start-up facility for collecting gas from the BF-1M. The pipeline modernisation also includes upgrading pillars and supports, because old metal structures require replacement due to intensive operation under various weather conditions, corrosion, and constant loading.
Workers have already begun with foundations for supports, using highly strength cast-in-place concrete, and with preparing new metal structures. ESC Resource Invest, LLC is acting as a contractor, carrying out works on a turn-key basis.
The new gas pipeline is designed with current enterprise needs in mind. In contrast to the old collector with a diameter of 5 metres, the new one will be half the size, meeting the current requirements of blast furnaces. The new design will ease maintenance and repairs of the gas pipeline.
Mykhailo TURKIN, Chief Specialist for Gas Facilities and Accounting:
"During operation of the existing gas pipeline, we periodically face gas leaks, resulting in significant losses of blast furnace gas. That was the reason for implementing the new collector project. This aims at preventing emergency situations on the gas pipeline and unproductive losses of a valuable energy resource. Moreover, the optimisation of the gas collection system on new equipment will contribute to its more efficient use by the plant's energy facilities, as well as reducing consumption and increasing cost efficiency."
Mykhailo KOPTEV, Capital Construction and Investments Director:
"The efficient use of captive production utilities is reliable support for the operation of any enterprise. Blast furnace gas at Kamet-Steel is used for steam production at the power plant, heating hot blast for furnaces, production needs of the tube billet mill, and more. The new collector construction is one of the strategic steps aimed at stable operation of gas pipelines of the enterprise. With this facility, we will be able to safely and efficiently transport blast furnace gas to key consumers. This is not only technical modernisation, but also a significant contribution to reliability, environmental friendliness, and the future of the enterprise."
