In the Blast Furnace Workshop of Zaporizhstal Integrated Iron & Steel Works, the overhaul of Blast Furnace No.5 have been completed.

The repair was performed within the scope of the Program of Production Modernization and Revamping implementing some elements of new technologies. The costs spent for the repair made up about UAH 20 million.

The most important stages of the repair, which continued for 6 days were replacement of the main distribution device of the bell less top system, repair of the blast heater dust arresters and reconstruction of the main runner.

The new structure and runner framework are strengthen with the modern fluid refractory mixtures made by Terres Refractaires du Boulonnais Company (France) which would permit to increase the overhaul life of the runner from 2 weeks to 6 months. Increasing the overhaul life of the runner would considerably decrease iron losses while tapping the anticipated decrease of losses is up to 10,000 tonnes per year.

Rostislav Shurma DG of Zaporizhstal Integrated Iron & Steel Works said that "For the last four months of the year, we have spent about UAH 140 million for maintaining the accurate and coordinated operation of the equipment."