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Operation and Maintenance of the Oxygen Lance
To achieve optimal oxygen‑lance life and blowing performance, proper operation and routine maintenance are essential. During the refining process, the oxygen lance often operates at pressures that deviate from its design value; therefore, to optimize refining efficiency and extend lance life, the oxygen pressure should be maintained within a range of 1.0 to 1.2 times the design pressure. Operators must inspect the nozzle for erosion daily and calibrate the lance position, as these measures are critical for refining quality, lance longevity, and operational safety. An oxygen lance filled with water must operate inside a high‑temperature furnace; a major water leak could have severe consequences. It is imperative to ensure that the control systems for oxygen pressure, water pressure, and water flow, as well as the lifting mechanism and lance holder, remain in good working order. Hose connections should be inspected regularly. Water flow rate, return‑water temperature, and the lifting mechanism are interlocked: if an abnormal condition is detected, the lance will automatically be raised and the oxygen supply shut off.
Under the combined effects of high‑temperature radiation and the erosive action of molten steel and slag, the tip of the oxygen lance nozzle is most prone to damage. When this damage reaches a certain extent, it can alter the characteristics of the oxygen jet. The Beijing Iron & Steel Research Institute conducted comparative measurements on the jet‑flow characteristics of new versus aged three‑hole nozzles and found that the Mach number at the outlet of the used nozzle fails to attain the design value at the original exit plane. Moreover, the oxygen flow rate through the aged nozzle is 2%–4% lower than that of the original nozzle. In addition, the tendency for the three jets to converge is markedly pronounced, reducing the effective impingement area by approximately 50%, which is detrimental to slag melting. Therefore, when the nozzle has eroded by about 10 mm or when abnormal conditions are observed during the blowing and slag‑forming process, the oxygen lance nozzle must be replaced promptly—rather than waiting until it is completely damaged.
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