Kametstal starts construction of a new blast furnace gas collector

The Kametstal metallurgical plant, part of the Metinvest Group, has launched a large-scale construction project for a new blast furnace gas collector in accordance with its capital investment program for 2025. This was announced in a press release from the company.

The blast furnace gas collector is a key element of the company’s technological infrastructure. It collects and transports gas generated during iron smelting for further use in metallurgical production.

This project is critical to ensuring continuity of production and the efficient use of a by-product of blast furnace production. The new collector will replace the gas pipeline, which has lost its technical suitability due to many years of operation.

The construction of the new facility is divided into five stages. The first will last until 2027 and will involve the construction of a 330-meter section of the gas pipeline. The total length of the new pipeline will be 1,200 meters. First, it is planned to build a start-up complex that will collect gas from blast furnace No. 1M.

In addition to the gas pipeline, steel structures will also be modernized, including supports and columns that have suffered significant wear and tear due to many years of operation, corrosion, and weather conditions. The first construction works have already begun, including the erection of foundations for supports, pouring of high-strength monolithic concrete, and preparation for the installation of new structures. The work is being carried out by the contractor ESK Resource Invest LLC.

The new gas pipeline is being designed to meet current production needs. While the old collector had a diameter of 5 m, the new one will be half that size, which corresponds to the current workload of Kametstal’s blast furnaces. The reduced diameter will simplify maintenance and repair of the gas pipeline, making its operation more reliable and efficient.

As reported by GMK Center, Kametstal recently began modernizing its main rolling mill, 400/200, which will be operating at full capacity in 2025. The work is aimed at improving equipment reliability and production energy efficiency.