Original Article

Development and implementation of a mathematical model of charging a blast furnace equipped with a bell-type charging device

¹ Department of Technological Equipment and Control Systems, Iron and Steel Institute of Z.I. Nekrasov of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Ac.Starodubov square, 1, Dnipro, 49107, Ukraine
² Department of Machines and Units of Metallurgical Production, Faculty of Machines Design and Environmental Protection, Institute of Industrial and Business Technologies, Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies, Ukraine, Nauky avenue, 4, Dnipro, 49600, Ukraine

^* e-mail: Yuriy.Semenov.ISI@gmail.com

Received: 19 May 2025
Accepted: 24 September 2025

Abstract

The article presents the main stages of developing a mathematical model of charging a blast furnace with a typical bell-type top charging device and creating the appropriate software. Based on the analysis of existing mathematical models and identification of their shortcomings, the approaches necessary for developing a mathematical model of charging adapted to the individual technological conditions of the blast furnace (BF-1M) of PrJSC “Kamet-steel” (Kamianske, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine) were formed. A study of the features of the formation of the backfill surface, characteristic of this type of charging devices, was conducted, which allowed us to reasonably determine the basic factors and initial conditions that affect the movement of charge materials. Based on the results obtained, algorithms for implementing the model were developed, which determine the sequence of actions to ensure the accuracy of calculations. The developed algorithms became the basis for creating software for a mathematical model of blast furnace charging using a bell-type charging device. The created software allows modeling blast furnace charging processes in various modes, including promising charging modes. The model testing confirmed its effectiveness in predicting the material distribution in the furnace, which contributes to the optimization of the blast furnace smelting process. The obtained results can be used to improve the technological charging modes and increase the efficiency of the blast furnace.