OREANDA-NEWS. "AZOVSTAL IRON & STEEL WORKS" (Metinvest Group) reduced consumption of energy resources owing to introduction of new and updated equipment, increase in use of alternative fuels in 2013. Obtained economic effect equaled to 6.5 million US Dollars.

As of the previous year end, reduction of natural gas consumption was 1.379 mln. m? and blast furnace gas 2.113 mln. m?. Usage of coke-oven gas was decreased by 828.43 thous. m?, coke by 15.9 thous. t. Consumption of thermal power was reduced by 9.91 thous. Gcal, electric power by 22.43 mln. kW/h.

Energy saving projects were implemented at BOF Shop, Plate Mill, Heavy Section Mill, Gas Shop, Boiler Shop, ASU-60 and Fe-containing Sludge Recovery Shop.

For 2014 specialists of the enterprise prepared a new draft program of energy saving measures. Specialists expect that its implementation would save at least 7 million US Dollars for the company.

Natural gas saving owing to the blast furnace gas usage became the upcoming energy saving trend. Reconstruction of the second boiler and repair of the fifth boiler at Thermal Power Plant would allow increasing the consumption of blast furnace gas at "AZOVSTAL IRON & STEEL WORKS".

This year, it is planned to upgrade stove No. 16 at BF Shop that will raise blast temperature at coke saving. In order to reduce electricity consumption at BOF Shop metal heating algorithm will be changed at the ladle furnaces.

Enver Tskitishvili, Director General of PJSC "AZOVSTAL IRON & STEEL WORKS", noted: "We are looking for ways to save energy resources by optimizing their consumption, using new efficient technologies. Natural gas is still the most expensive fuel and directly affects the cost of Azovstal products. So, like last year, we will focus on reducing the maximum natural gas consumption but without compromising production".