Abstract: Two aspects realizing the self-protect ability of a blast furnace cooling system with copper stave, adherent dross capability and adherent dross condition, were mainly discussed. Based on the copper stave in practice, a three-dimension heat transfer mathematical model of copper stave was established. Integration of the calculation with practice experience shows that the copper stave is more suitable for high loaded heat zone. The copper stave can provide with better adherent dross capability; but at the same time, only if having better adherent dross condition, the copper stave self-protect ability can be realized to get longevity and high productivity. The various elements of adherent dross condition were also analyzed.