Major breakdown in BSP’s Blast Furnace #8

Bhilai, Oct 13: A major breakdown occurred in the Blast Furnace #8 of Bhilai Steel Plant on Thursday evening. Hot compressed air leaked from the compensator control system and caught fire. The employees panicked after spotting huge flames following a blast. They raised alarm after which the entire area was evacuated and fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the flames. Fortunately, there were no casualties. Production processes in the Blast Furnace and the linked mills were affected due to this mishap.

According to information, the incident occurred around 17:00 hrs on Thursday. Hot air started leaking from a valve of the compensator control system of the Stove Number 3 of Blast Furnace 8. Soon the hot air caught fire and the gas pipes were engulfed in huge flames. The workers raised an alarm after which six fire tenders reached the spot and fire fighting operations were launched. A CISF team cordoned off the area and evacuated the workers. The gas leak reduced the pressure inside the furnace due to which hot metal production and other processes were affected. The safety department took control over the situation and the leaking stove was bypassed. With sustained efforts, the firemen managed to douse the flames and cool down the affected area. Any casualty was not reported.

According to the BSP’s Public Relations Department, “There was an air leakage from the compensator of Stove number 3 of BF 8 around 5:00 pm on October 13, 2022. Out of the three stoves, one stove has therefore been affected. The hot air caught fire. Fire has been extinguished using fire tenders. Stove number 3 is being bypassed and production is continuing as usual. No persons have been injured in the mishap”.