Key Responsibilities
1. Blast Furnace Operation:
- Oversee daily operations of the Blast Furnace, ensuring smooth and stable process conditions.
- Monitor and control key parameters such as:
- Top pressure and gas distribution.
- Blast pressure, temperature, and humidity.
- Oxygen enrichment and burden descent rate.
- Ensure consistent hot metal output, temperature, and quality (Si, S, P levels).
- Coordinate with the Stock House for burden charging and raw material sequencing.
- Support process optimization to improve productivity, reduce coke rate, and enhance campaign life.
- Lead furnace start-up, shutdown, and relining operations as required.
2. PCI (Pulverized Coal Injection) Operations:
- Supervise PCI system operations for reliable and efficient coal injection.
- Monitor and control:
- Coal grinding and drying parameters.
- Injection rate, pressure, and air/coal ratio.
- PCI equipment performance through PLC/DCS systems.
- Optimize PCI utilization to achieve target coke replacement ratio and maintain furnace thermal balance.
- Coordinate with mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation teams for preventive maintenance and system reliability.
- Analyze PCI efficiency and implement improvements in coal quality, distribution, and injection pattern.
3. Process Monitoring & Control
- Operate and monitor process parameters via PLC/DCS/SCADA systems.
- Record and analyze:
- Hot blast parameters (temperature, pressure, flow).
- Gas composition (CO, CO₂, H₂) and utilization.
- Top gas pressure and furnace temperature trends.
- Take corrective actions for any process deviations such as hanging, slipping, or scaffolding.
- Coordinate with control room and field teams for real-time process adjustments.
4. Production & Optimization:
- Achieve daily and monthly hot metal production targets.
- Maintain optimum fuel rate (coke + PCI) and energy efficiency.
- Analyze operational data for identifying improvement areas and reducing process losses.
- Support process trials, R&D initiatives, and automation improvement projects.
- Collaborate with Process Control and Energy Management teams for optimization initiatives.
5. Safety, Health & Environment:
- Ensure strict compliance with Blast Furnace safety standards and SOPs.
- Conduct safety toolbox talks, near-miss reporting, and hazard identification.
- Enforce LOTO procedures, PPE usage, and safe operating practices for PCI systems.
- Maintain compliance with ISO 45001 / ISO 14001 / ISO 9001 standards.
- Drive initiatives for energy conservation, waste heat utilization, and emission control.
6. Manpower & Shift Management:
- Lead and guide shift in-charges, control room engineers, and field operators in Furnace & PCI areas.
- Prepare and manage shift rosters ensuring round-the-clock operational coverage.
- Conduct regular skill enhancement and process awareness training for team members.
- Ensure effective shift handover communication and documentation.
7. Coordination & Communication
- Coordinate with:
- Hot Blast and Blower House for air and oxygen supply.
- Cast House for tapping sequence and metal despatch.
- Stock House for burden preparation and charging.
- Maintenance & Utilities for preventive and breakdown maintenance.
- Maintain smooth communication between control room and field operations during shifts.
8. Documentation & Reporting
- Maintain accurate records of:
- Furnace performance, cast details, and burden mix data.
- PCI injection rate, coal consumption, and energy utilization.
- Process deviations and corrective measures taken.
- Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly performance reports.
- Support in KPI review meetings, process audits, and management reporting.
Qualifications:
- B.E. / B.Tech / Diploma in Metallurgical / Mechanical / Production / Electrical Engineering from a recognized institution.
- Strong understanding of iron-making fundamentals, blast furnace thermodynamics, and fuel injection systems.
Experience:
- Deputy Manager: 7–10 years of experience in Blast Furnace operation and PCI systems.
- Manager: 10–14 years of experience in furnace process control, PCI optimization, and iron-making operations.
- Experience in integrated steel plants (≥0.5 MTPA Blast Furnace) preferred.
- Hands-on experience with PLC/DCS automation systems (Siemens / ABB / Honeywell) desirable.
Technical Skills:
- Strong command over Blast Furnace operation, burden distribution, and gas flow control.
- In-depth knowledge of PCI system operation and performance tuning.
- Proficiency in DCS/SCADA process monitoring and control logic interpretation.
- Ability to analyze gas utilization, thermal efficiency, and fuel rate performance.
- Familiarity with SAP (PM/MM) and digital process reporting tools.