OREANDA-NEWS. November 10, 2014. Replacement of gas duct section utilized to carry flue gas from fluidized bed furnace (FBF) No.3 to electrostatic precipitators located in dust removal section of the plant has been initiated at Kola MMC (subsidiary of MMC Norilsk Nickel) refining shop. Over 40 meters of steel structures will be dismantled and replaced within the scope of the project.

The old section remained in operation throughout an extensive campaign and is now obsolete. Section repairs were deemed impractical from economic standpoint and management of Kola MMC decided to pursue the full replacement option instead.

Casing of the new gas duct was manufactured by the mechanical repairs service of Kola MMC, and to maintain even flue gas temperature it will be further inlayed with specialized firebrick ensuring consistency of gas duct performance for years to come.

The project will also bring an ecological benefit by reducing the amount of fugitive emissions of sulfur dioxide caused by deterioration of equipment.

Project completion is scheduled for the end of December 2014. Production operations at FBF No.3 were stopped for the duration of project works. Division’s production targets for the period shall be met using FBF No.1 and 2.