In the high-temperature workshop of a steel plant, as the huge converter spews molten steel, the “flexible pipe” connecting the oxygen lance to the oxygen supply system is silently playing its role. This is the oxygen lance blowing hose; though seemingly inconspicuous, it is an indispensable key piece of equipment in the steelmaking process. This hose not only has to withstand high-temperature radiation and high-pressure oxygen, but also maintain stable operation amidst the frequent up-and-down movements of the oxygen lance. It can be said that it is a “flexible guardian” ensuring safe and efficient steelmaking production.

I. The Core Function of Oxygen Lance Blowing Hose

1. A Key Link in Steelmaking Process

The oxygen lance blowing hose is the only flexible component that connects the fixed oxygen supply pipeline and the mobile oxygen lance in the converter steelmaking process. In the oxygen top blown converter (BOF) process, the oxygen lance needs to be precisely moved up and down and adjusted in angle above the converter to achieve the best oxygen blowing effect. The existence of oxygen blowing hoses is precisely to ensure the stable and safe delivery of high-purity oxygen to the oxygen gun nozzle in this dynamic environment.

2. A “Challenger” in Extreme Conditions

The working environment of the oxygen lance blowing hose can be described as “purgatory-level”:

• High Temperature Test:The temperature at the converter mouth reaches 1000℃, and the hose is directly exposed to intense heat radiation
• High pressure environment:The working pressure is usually around 1.2-2.5MPa, with high requirements for airtightness
• Mechanical Fatigue:The oxygen lance moves up and down several times per minute, and the hose must withstand frequent bending and vibration
• Harsh Environment:Multiple challenges such as slag splashing, dust pollution, and mechanical collisions

II. Analysis of Three Core Functions

The function of the oxygen blowing hose is far more than just “a pipe that carries oxygen.” It undertakes three key missions:

1. Ensure That the Oxygen Flow Is “sufficient, Pure, and Stable”
   This Is Its Most Basic and Most Demanding Function. The Inside of the Hose Must Be Extremely Smooth to Minimize Resistance and Ensure the Designed Flow Rate; the Lining Material Must Have Excellent Flame-Retardant and Oxidation-Resistant Properties to Prevent Reaction with the Pipe Wall in a High-Pressure Pure Oxygen Environment (ordinary Rubber Will Burn Rapidly in High-Pressure Oxygen); at the Same Time, the Pipe Body Must Have Excellent Anti-Expansion Performance to Ensure a Constant Inner Diameter Under Different Pressures, Thereby Ensuring the Stability of Oxygen Flow and Pressure. Any Slight Fluctuation in Flow or Pressure Will Directly Affect the Chemical Reaction in the Furnace, Leading to Failure in the Control of Molten Steel Composition.

2. Ensure smooth movement of the oxygen lance
   During converter smelting, the oxygen lance needs to be frequently raised, lowered, and its angle finely adjusted according to the process stage. The hose connected to it must also undergo complex bending, swinging, and stretching. This requires the oxygen blowing hose to have extremely high flexibility and fatigue resistance while withstanding high pressure. It is like a strong “tendon,” providing a flexible and reliable connection between the rigid pipe and the moving oxygen lance, ensuring smooth movement of the oxygen lance and uninterrupted oxygen delivery.
   
3. The “Last Line of Defense” for Factory Safety
   This is the heaviest and most important responsibility of the oxygen blowing hose. The medium it transports is high-pressure pure oxygen, and once the hose fails—whether it bursts, leaks, or burns through—the consequences are catastrophic. Leaking high-pressure oxygen will rapidly fuel combustion, causing equipment to burn out; if it comes into contact with flammable materials such as grease, it may even cause a deflagration. Therefore, a qualified oxygen blowing hose must have multiple layers of safety protection:

Inner Liner: Special flame-retardant rubber, fundamentally preventing combustion inside the hose.
Reinforcing Layer: Multiple layers of high-strength fiber braiding or winding, providing burst strength sufficient to withstand several times the working pressure, resisting pressure shocks.
Outer Cover: Wear-resistant, high-temperature resistant, and anti-aging rubber, protecting the reinforcing layer from external mechanical damage and high-temperature radiation.

III. How Hose Affects on Steelmaking

The performance of a single hose, like a butterfly effect, directly impacts the final production indicators:

Affects steel quality:Stable flow and pressure are prerequisites for accurately controlling oxygen blowing time and achieving the “double hit” of final carbon temperature. Unstable hose performance will directly lead to fluctuations in composition control.

Determines smelting efficiency:The hose’s diameter and pressure resistance determine the maximum oxygen supply intensity. Using hoses with larger diameters and higher pressure resistance is one of the key hardware upgrade paths for steel mills to achieve high-intensity smelting and shorten the smelting cycle.

Concerns about production costs and safety:High-quality hoses have a longer service life, can withstand more smelting furnace cycles, and reduce the hose consumption cost per ton of steel. More importantly, it greatly reduces the risk of unplanned furnace shutdowns caused by sudden hose ruptures. The production loss, equipment maintenance costs, and safety risks caused by a single furnace shutdown accident far exceed the value of the hose itself by hundreds or thousands of times. From this perspective, pursuing the highest cost-effectiveness rather than the lowest price for oxygen blowing hoses is the wisest choice for steel mills.