Big problems at No. 7 blast furnace

Essar Steel Algoma is evaluating the damage and effect on its operations after a bustle pipe main carrying hot air blast to its No. 7 blast furnace failed early this morning.

Essar spokesperson Brenda Stenta tells SooToday.com that no one was injured in the accident, which occurred around 2:38 a.m.

The bustle pipe main failed in the area above the north tap hole.

"This resulted in the ejection of hot blast through the hole in the bustle pipe and into the north cast house," Stenta says. "Essar Steel Algoma emergency service and operating personnel immediately responded at the scene. No one was injured."

The bustle pipe carries hot air blast to the furnace.

"The furnace has been isolated and the process is under control. A team is currently assessing the extent of the damage and taking steps to initiate repairs.

"The impact to operations is currently under review. Once we have assessed the extent of the damage we will determine how much time will be required for the necessary repairs. It is premature to estimate at this time.

"In light of today’s event, we have pulled ahead a steelmaking maintenance outage that was scheduled for next week and the reline of No. 4 vessel is underway.

"Operations at the Slabcaster and DSPC are temporarily suspended. Production at the plate and strip mills and all finishing units (cold mill, QBI, welded shapes) is not affected at this time."