Recently, the Technical Specifications for Acidity Control of Blast Furnace Gas was included in the Demonstration Program for Group Standard Application by the China Iron and Steel Association. Prepared and released under the leadership of Shougang Jingtang, this document represents a groundbreaking achievement in blast furnace gas in China. In the past few days, there were many visits to Shougang Jingtang from persons on behalf of other Chinese steel companies to learn and exchange views on this standard.

The Demonstration Program for Group Standard Application is an annual evaluation program carried out by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to thoroughly implement the National Standardization Development Outline and the Plan for Deepening the Reform of Standardization, promote the demonstrative application of group standards, and guide social groups to formulate high-quality group standards. The Technical Specifications for Acidity Control of Blast Furnace Gas is currently one of the very few professional standards in gas.

Blast furnace gas is a crucial by-product in the ironmaking process. After recovery and pressurization, it is delivered to users as fuel. Because it contains sulfur, sulfate, and chlorine among other ions, and dissolves easily in water, gas condenses in water are highly acidic (pH = 2–3) and can easily corrode supporting facilities such as gas pipelines, gas tanks, and drainers. This will lead to gas leakage, affecting operational stability and production security in steel plants.

Based on plenty of experience, Shougang Jingtang developed an array of technologies to adjust the pH of blast furnace gas to a neutral level, reduce the temperature of the gas, and ensure the long-term security and operational stability of the blast furnace gas system.

Industry is an important base for the development of new productive forces, and standards are an advanced form of the technological innovation system. Shougang Jingtang has always been implementing new development concepts based on practices in production activities, applying technological innovations in real life, and creating innovations. The launch of the Technical Specifications for Acidity Control of Blast Furnace Gas is important for the operational security of blast furnace gas systems in the steel industry, and serves as a case for the acidity control of blast furnace gas during construction, renovation and expansion, and production and operation management.