On the basis of a study using entransy theory, the thermal resistance and heat transfer coefficient of a blast furnace stave is defined.

A comprehensive performance optimization criterion of a blast furnace stave is defined. The new criterion takes the overall heat transfer of the stave and the flow resistance of the water pipe into account at the same time.

The calculation method of the new criterion is illustrated by an example. The performances of blast furnace staves with different pipe spacings and different pipe shapes are analyzed using the new criterion.

This paper provides a new criterion for the reasonable evaluation and design optimization of a blast furnace stave.