Abstract: A device for distributing charge material into a shaft furnace includes a main housing, a distribution chute, a suspension rotor and an adjustment rotor, which are rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, the chute is suspended to the suspension rotor to rotate therewith for circumferential distribution of charge material and adjustable in orientation through the adjustment rotor for radial distribution of charge material, a differential gear interconnects the suspension rotor and the adjustment rotor and is configured to transmit to the adjustment rotor the same speed of rotation that is imparted to the suspension rotor by a main rotation drive unless an adjustment drive imparts differential rotation to the adjustment rotor, the device further including: a first gear casing arranged on the main housing and enclosing a gear mechanism that connects the main rotation drive to a first output shaft that protrudes into the main housing where it is connected to a gearwheel that meshes with a first gear rin

Abstract: A device (10) for distributing charge material into a shaft furnace comprises a main housing (12), a distribution chute, a suspension rotor (18) and an adjustment rotor (26), which are rotatable about a substantially vertical axis. The chute (32) is suspended to the suspension rotor (18) to rotate therewith for circumferential distribution of charge material and adjustable in orientation through the adjustment rotor (26) for radial distribution of charge material. A differential gear (86) interconnects the suspension rotor (18) and the adjustment rotor (26) and is configured to transmit to the adjustment rotor the same speed of rotation that is imparted to the suspension rotor by a main rotation drive (60) unless an adjustment drive (96) imparts, through the differential gear, a differential rotation to the adjustment rotor.

Abstract: A charging device for a shaft furnace, which includes at least one charging hopper having a discharge orifice arranged in a position off-centre with respect to the central axis of the shaft furnace, and a material distribution device arranged below this hopper. The material distribution device includes a feed channel coaxial with the central axis of the furnace and a rotatable, pivotable chute, which is arranged below the feed channel for distributing a charge in the shaft furnace. The charging device also includes a connecting box in the shape of a funnel, arranged between the material distribution device and the charging hopper. The connecting box possesses a lower central outlet communicating with the charging hopper and at least one upper inlet which is arranged off-centre with respect to the central axis of the furnace and communicates with the discharge orifice of the hopper.

Abstract: The invention concerns a drive mechanism for a distribution chute (14) in a shaft furnace charging installation. This drive mechanism comprises rotary supporting means (15) supporting the distribution chute so that it can be rotated, typically about a vertical axis of rotation (A), and a fixed structure (10) supporting the rotary supporting means (15). It has a main drive motor (30) for rotating the chute and an auxiliary drive motor (40) for adjusting the position of the chute, typically the pivotal position about a horizontal axis (B). The drive mechanism further comprises first, second and third transmission means (34; 46; 54). The first transmission (34) operationally couples the main drive motor (30) to a first ring gear (40) rigidly connected to the rotary supporting means (15). The second transmission (46) operationally couples the auxiliary drive motor (40) to a second ring gear (48) that is independently rotatable about the axis of rotation (A).

Abstract: A multiple hopper charging installation for a shaft furnace includes a rotary distribution device for distributing bulk material in the shaft furnace by rotating a distribution member about a central axis of the shaft furnace and at least two hoppers arranged in parallel and offset from the central axis above the rotary distribution device. Each hopper has a lower funnel part ending in an outlet portion and each hopper has a material gate valve with a shutter member associated to its outlet portion.

Abstract: A rotary charging device for a shaft furnace commonly comprises a rotary distribution configured to distribute charge material on a charging surface in the shaft furnace. A rotatable structure supports the rotary distribution means and a stationary support rotatably supports the rotatable structure. According to the invention, the charging device is equipped with an inductive coupling device including a stationary inductor fixed to the stationary support and a rotary inductor fixed to the rotatable structure. The stationary inductor and the rotary inductor are separated by a radial gap and configured as rotary transformer for achieving contact-less electric energy transfer from the stationary support to the rotatable structure by means of magnetic coupling through the radial gap for powering an electric load arranged on the rotatable structure and connected to said rotary inductor.

Abstract: In a charging process of a shaft furnace, in particular of a blast furnace, batches of charge material are typically discharged in cyclical sequence into the furnace from a top hopper using a flow control valve. A method and system is proposed for adjusting the flow rate of charge material in such a process. According to the invention, a respective set of plural valve settings is stored for each batch, each valve setting of a set being associated to a different stage in the discharge of the batch. The method and system are configured to discharge a given batch so that, at each stage in the discharge of the given batch, the flow control valve operates at a constant valve opening according to the valve setting associated to that stage and so that an actual average flow rate at which charge material is discharged is determined for that stage.

Abstract: In a charging process of a shaft furnace, in particular of a blast furnace, batches of charge material are typically discharged in cyclical sequence into the furnace from a top hopper using a flow control valve. A method and system is proposed for adjusting the flow rate of charge material in such a process. Pre-determined valve characteristics for certain types of material are provided, each indicating the relation between flow rate and valve setting for one type of material. According to the invention, a specific valve characteristic is stored for each batch of charge material, each specific valve characteristic being bijectively associated to one batch and indicating the relation between flow rate and valve setting of the flow control valve specifically for the associated batch.

Abstract: A device (10), for moving a runner (12) of a shaft furnace between an upper tapping floor level (42), where the runner is in an operational position in front of a taphole of the furnace, and a lower service level (40), where the runner is accessible for replacement. The device (10) comprises a first support (28) and a second support (34) forming a base member (38), a carrier member (20) for bearing the runner, the carrier member having a first and a second longitudinal portion, a first lifting member (22) connected via a first articulation (26) to the first longitudinal portion and via a second articulation (30) to the first support, and a second lifting member (24) connected via a third articulation (32) to the second longitudinal portion and via a fourth articulation (36) to the second support. The base member (38), the carrier member (20) and the first and second lifting members (22, 24) together with the four articulations (26, 30, 32, 36) form a four-bar equivalent mechanism.

Abstract: A shaft furnace bleeder valve for controlling a gas outflow from the interior of a pressurized furnace to the ambient atmosphere through an exhaust conduit is proposed. The bleeder valve comprises a valve seat associated with the exhaust conduit, a movable closure member having a central closure surface and a peripheral sealing surface cooperating with the valve seat, the closure surface comprising a convex surface at least in proximity to the sealing surface. The valve further has an actuating mechanism, which is connected to the closure member for moving the closure member between a closed position on the valve seat and an open position distant from the valve seat.

Abstract: A rotary charging device for a shaft furnace, in particular a blast furnace, is disclosed. The charging device is equipped with a cooling system. The rotary charging device includes a rotatable support for rotary distribution means as well as a stationary housing for the rotatable support. The cooling system includes a rotary cooling circuit fixed in rotation with the rotatable support as well as a stationary cooling circuit on the stationary housing. A heat transfer device is provided which includes a stationary heat transfer element configured to be cooled by a cooling fluid flowing through the stationary cooling circuit and which includes a rotary heat transfer element configured to be heated by a separate cooling fluid circulated in the rotary cooling circuit.

Abstract: A cooling plate for a metallurgical furnace includes a body with a front face, an opposite rear face (16), four side edges and at least one coolant channel extending from the region of one side edge to the region of the opposite side edge, where a bent connection pipe connects at least one extremity of each coolant channel for coolant fluid feed or return, and the bent connection pipe is sealingly connected with the extremity of the associated coolant channel within a respective recess in the body that is opened toward the rear side, where the coolant channel opens in the recess in a connection surface beveled towards the rear side; and the bent connection pipe does not extend laterally beyond the corresponding side edge.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for treating iron-and-steel plant sludge comprising adjusting the available CaO content of the sludge so as to obtain an available CaO content of 3% to 8% based on the sludge weight, adding a carbon-containing fuel, introducing the sludge onto one of the upper stages of a multistage furnace, heating the multistage furnace, gradually transferring the sludge onto the lower stages, and adjusting the temperature of the exhaust gases of the multistage furnace to at least 500.degree. C. and that of the treated sludge at the output of the multistage furnace to a temperature ranging between 700.degree. C. and 800.degree. C.

Abstract: A charging device for a shaft furnace, which includes at least one charging hopper having a discharge orifice arranged in a position off-centre with respect to the central axis of the shaft furnace, and a material distribution device arranged below this hopper. The material distribution device includes a feed channel coaxial with the central axis of the furnace and a rotatable, pivotable chute, which is arranged below the feed channel for distributing a charge in the shaft furnace. The charging device also includes a connecting box in the shape of a funnel, arranged between the material distribution device and the charging hopper. The connecting box possesses a lower central outlet communicating with the charging hopper and at least one upper inlet which is arranged off-centre with respect to the central axis of the furnace and communicates with the discharge orifice of the hopper.

Abstract: A charging device (1 10; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610, 710) for distributing bulk material in an enclosure, in particular in a shaft furnace comprises a stationary housing (12) that supports a rotatable structure (14) carrying adjustable distribution means (16). Distribution of bulk material in circumferential direction is achieved by rotation of the distribution means (16) together with the rotatable structure (14). Distribution of bulk material in radial direction is achieved by adjustment of the distribution means (16). For rotating the distribution means, usually about the central axis (A) of the charging device, the device (1 10; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610, 710) includes a first rolling bearing (122) with a first stationary race (124; 324) that bears a first rotary race (128). The first rotary race is coupled to a first gear ring (130; 430; 530; 730) that cooperates with a first drive (50) for rotating the rotatable structure and thereby the distribution means.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a charge distribution apparatus for a furnace comprising a charge distribution chute and a drive mechanism (12) with a first rotary drive shaft (14) for rotating the charge distribution chute and a second rotary drive shaft (16) for changing the angle of inclination of the charge distribution chute. The first and second drive shafts (14, 16) are coupled to respective first and second motors (18, 22) via a planetary gear mechanism (20) for driving the first and second drive shafts (14, 16).

Abstract: A coke oven piping system (10) comprises a pipe assembly for conveying coke oven gases (14) from a coke oven to a collecting main (16); and flow control means comprising a flow orifice (22) in the pipe assembly with an associated obturating member (20), the obturating member being axially moveable between an open position at a certain distance from the flow orifice to a closed position in which it substantially obstructs the flow orifice (22). At least one throttling opening (28) is arranged so as to offer, towards the end of the closing stroke of the obturating member (20), an opening area for the gases to the collecting main (16) that depends on the axial position of the obturating member (20).

Abstract: A shaft furnace bleeder valve for controlling a gas outflow from the interior of a pressurized furnace to the ambient atmosphere through an exhaust conduit is proposed. The bleeder valve comprises a valve seat associated with the exhaust conduit, a movable closure member having a central closure surface and a peripheral sealing surface cooperating with the valve seat, the closure surface comprising a convex surface at least in proximity to the sealing surface. The valve further has an actuating mechanism, which is connected to the closure member for moving the closure member between a closed position on the valve seat and an open position distant from the valve seat.

Abstract: A coke oven offtake piping system including a pipe assembly for conveying coke oven gases from a coke oven to a collecting main, at least one spraying nozzle in pipe assembly, and a discharge section with a discharge pipe having a discharge orifice, where a gate member cooperates with the discharge orifice and is movable along the discharge orifice in order to present a closing surface to the extremity thereof, whereby the opening area of said discharge orifice can be varied for controlling the flow rate to the collecting main.

Abstract: The inventive multi-level furnace comprises a furnace wall delimiting a cylindrical space having a vertical axis, a plurality of beds defining the levels inside said cylindrical space and at least one scraping arm which is provided with a wall scraper and associated with the bed in such a way that it is rotatable about the vertical axis of the furnace. During scraping arm rotation, said wall scraper defines a scraped area on the internal surface of the furnace wall which comprises a plurality of wall cavities forming a row of access openings in the scraped area, thereby making it possible to avoid the formation of a hardened crust adhered to the internal surface of the furnace wall and to develop braking shocks in the scraping arm.