Optimizing the tapping time of a blast furnace is important to a stable operation and life extension. To optimize the tapping time of the blast furnace, the location of Hearth Liquid Level should be recognized. There are several ways to measure the hearth liquid level in the blast furnace, such as Electromotive Force(EMF) measurement, pressure measurement by putting in nitrogen probe and manometry with strain gauge. In this paper, it will be discussed using strain gauge among the three methods. Conventional strain gauge must be revised periodically. Since, internal pressure, temperature of internal refractory material and wind pressure have effect on the strain gauge. However, static pressure value is required to compensate. To solve these problems, this paper suggests finding relationship between Hearth Liquid Level and strain gauge output, adding digital filter in strain gauge. Using the proposed method, it was possible to estimate the hearth liquid level and determine the appropriate tapping time. Usefulness of the proposed method through simulations and experimental results are confirmed.
