Arc Furnace Device Patents (Class 373/60)
  • Patent number: 11846469
    Abstract: An oil-line assembly for an oil-fired boiler including a bracket, an elongated pipe, a first socket, a second socket, and a flexible hose. The bracket has a first plate member and a second plate member both having a common edge. The elongated pipe is coupled to an edge opposite the common edge of the second plate member and extends along its longitudinal axis parallel to the common edge. The elongated pipe has a proximal end and a distal end. The first socket is secured to the proximal end of the elongated pipe. The free end of the first socket receives an oil-line that extends from oil source. The second socket is coupled to the distal end of the elongated pipe. The proximal end of the flexible hose is coupled to the free end of the second socket and the distal end is coupled to an input of the oil-fired boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Inventor: Joseph Nicola Lamparelli
  • Patent number: 9892866
    Abstract: Methods and compositions of carbonaceous nanoparticle fabrication and their use for electrode materials in supercapacitors are provided. The method includes a first step of reacting a first carbon source with a second carbon source in the presence of a nitrogen source in a DC arc furnace to form a composite nanoparticle. The second carbon source includes a dopant. The composite nanoparticle includes a crystalline carbon phase having an amorphous phase comprising dopant or carbide. The method includes a second step of removing the amorphous second layer to form the carbonaceous nanoparticle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Robert P. H. Chang, Donald B. Buchholz, Nam Dong Kim, Byunghong Lee
  • Patent number: 9261552
    Abstract: A fault detector for operating process of electric arc furnace and method thereof are disclosed, which belong to the technical field of fault detection. The fault detector includes the temperature signal acquisition equipment, the current signal acquisition equipment and a host computer. The multimode fault monitoring and diagnosis method comprises the following steps: acquiring and standardizing the data; establishing the preliminary monitoring model for the operating process to obtain common subsets of M operating modes and typical subsets of every operating mode; calculating the T2 statistics and the SPE statistics, and monitoring and diagnosing fault in the operating process. The present invention has the advantages that the colorimetric temperature measurement can improve the calculation accuracy, different equipment becomes compatible, and the fault detector is suitable for operating in industrial production process with a variety of steady modes and can diagnose faults in a certain operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventors: Yingwei Zhang, Wenyou Du, Zhiming Li, Yunpeng Fan
  • Patent number: 9139884
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for producing liquid pig iron or liquid primary steel products from charge materials formed by iron ores and additions. The charge materials are subjected to a further reduction in a reducing zone (1) and are then fed to a smelting zone or a smelting unit (2), in particular a fusion gasifier, for smelting with the addition of carbon carriers and oxygen-containing gas to form a fixed bed. A CO- and H2-containing reduction gas is formed, which gas is introduced into the reducing zone converted there and drawn off as top gas. The hot top gas, laden with solid matter, after separation of the solids, is subjected at least to a dry coarse separation and at least parts of the hot solids segregated by the separation are returned into the smelting zone or the smelting unit (2) or the reducing unit (1). In addition, the top gas is treated in a further fine separation stage (13A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: PRIMETALS TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRIA GMBH
    Inventors: Georg Aichinger, Thomas Eder, Hado Heckmann, Robert Millner, Johannes Leopold Schenk, Martin Schmidt, Kurt Wieder, Johann Wurm
  • Patent number: 8874323
    Abstract: A device is described for generating a control signal for controlling a passenger protection arrangement of a motor vehicle, having a first acceleration sensor for generating a first acceleration signal, having a second acceleration sensor for generating a second acceleration signal, having a first structure-borne noise sensor for generating a first structure-borne noise signal, having a second structure-borne noise sensor for generating a second structure-borne noise signal, and having an evaluation circuit, the evaluation circuit (being configured for generating a combination signal from the first structure-borne noise signal and the second structure-borne noise signal, the evaluation circuit being configured for generating the control signal as a function of the first acceleration signal, the second acceleration signal and the combination signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Nicolaus Ulbrich, Andreas Wienss
  • Patent number: 8651169
    Abstract: An arc melting furnace apparatus is provided which reduces an operation burden on a worker and shortens working hours. An arc melting furnace apparatus 1 includes a housing 2 having formed therein a melting chamber 2a, a hearth 4 provided within the melting chamber 2a and having a recessed portion 4a, and a heating mechanism 10 for heating and melting a metal material supplied into the recessed portion 4 to generate an alloy ingot. The apparatus comprises a turning member 23 rotatably supported on a supporting member 21 standing within the melting chamber 2a, a perimeter edge of the turning member 23 rotating and moving along the inner surface of the recessed portion 4a to lift the alloy ingot generated in the recessed portion 4a above the hearth 4 and turn it over, and a resilient turn-over assisting member 24 provided above an upper end of the recessed portion 4a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: Diavac Limited, Tohoku Techno Arch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Nagata, Motohiro Kameyama, Yoshihiko Yokoyama, Akihisa Inoue
  • Patent number: 8562713
    Abstract: A combined arc furnace, ladle metallurgical furnace and vacuum degassing system having the flexibility to produce at least non-vacuum arc remelt, vacuum arc remelt, vacuum oxygen decarburized non-vacuum arc remelt, and vacuum oxygen decarburized vacuum arc remelt steels from one off to continuous casting end uses in steady state or randomized order which utilizes only a minimum of energy attributable to preheating hot metal contacting components of the system followed by heat loss reduction of the components and use of a carryover heel in the arc furnace, in which the throughput of the system is limited solely by the melting capacity of the arc furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: A. Finkl & Sons Co.
    Inventors: John A. Guliana, Guy A. Brada, Christian H. Ericksen, Bruce C. Liimatainen, Algirdas A. Underys
  • Publication number: 20130206358
    Abstract: A panel cooled with a fluid, for metallurgic furnaces, includes a first chamber having a face which, in assembly conditions, is configured to face an interior of a metallurgic furnace and an opposite face in thermal contact with a face of a second chamber whose opposed face is configured to face, in assembly conditions, an external part of the metallurgic furnace. The first and second chambers are mutually independent. The first and second chambers each include an inlet and outlet of a cooling fluid. The panel has a first working configuration in which the first chamber is passed by a first cooling fluid and the second chamber is passed by a second cooling fluid different from the first cooling fluid, and a second working configuration in which the first chamber is passed by the second cooling fluid and the second chamber is passed by the first cooling fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: TENOVA S.p.A.
    Inventors: Fabio Maddalena, Luciano Camisani, Silvio Maria Reali
  • Publication number: 20130052598
    Abstract: A high energy photon production system and method which comprises a reaction vessel, a base heating source capable of generating a temperature of at least 4,000° F. within the reaction vessel; and a source of water for supplying water to the base heating source, within the vessel. As soon as the water is heated to a temperature of at least 4,000° F., at least some of the water becomes disassociated and facilitates production and release of high energy photons within the vessel which can be combined with the base heating source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventor: Donald I. GONSER
  • Patent number: 8240169
    Abstract: A vitreous silica crucible manufacturing apparatus includes a plurality of carbon electrodes configured to heat and melt raw material powder by arc discharge, and a value of a ratio R2/R1 of a diameter R2 of a front end of each of the carbon electrodes to a diameter R1 of a base end is set in a range of 0.6 to 0.8. Each carbon electrode has a diameter reduction portion formed at a front end position and reduced in diameter from a diameter R3 of a base end side to the diameter R2 of the front end. When a length of the diameter reduction portion is L1, the diameter of the front end is R2, the diameter of the base end is R1, an angle between the axis lines of the carbon electrodes is ?1, and X=(R1?R2)/2, a value of L1?(X/tan(?1/2)) is set in a range of 50 to 150 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Japan Super Quartz Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Fukui, Hiroshi Kishi, Masaki Morikawa
  • Patent number: 8217312
    Abstract: Method for heating a fluid, in particular a fluid which is not electrical conductive, where a rotor body (10) which is arranged in a chamber for absorption of the fluid, is rotated with a generally vertical shaft (11). A voltage is applied to a rod shaped electrode (16) which is arranged centrally in a rotor chamber (12) and to an electrode at the bottom (13) of the rotor chamber, for creation of a flame arc, so that a flow of the fluid passing the flame arc is created. The length (L) of the flame arc is held generally stable, preferably constant by controlling the position of the rod shaped electrode (16). The fluid is made enter the rotor chamber (12) so that it is kept outside the flame arc, and that the fluid is provided to flow through the rotor chamber (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: ALU Innovation AS
    Inventor: Karl Venaas
  • Publication number: 20120140787
    Abstract: A temperature T of a metal melt in a furnace is precisely determined without contact using at least one burner gun unit fed through a furnace wall of the furnace above the metal melt into a furnace chamber and at least one temperature measuring unit downstream of the burner gun unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Markus Abel, Alexander Müller, Domenico Nardacchione
  • Patent number: 8110019
    Abstract: The present invention is based on a novel electric induction furnace design that enables the removal of zinc-containing filter dust (FD) originating from the production of steel (alloy or non-alloy) and the production of cast iron with galvanized steel scrap, using a novel process based on the carbothermal reduction of the metal oxides present in the FD, performed at the temperature at which the materials are melted inside the electric induction furnace. The electric induction furnace of the invention incorporates an electric arc or plasma beam generator to melt all the inorganic non-metallic material. The incorporation of this generator also enables the use of large volumes of molten slag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Consejo Superior De Investigaciones Cientificas
    Inventor: Miguel Fernández López
  • Publication number: 20110292961
    Abstract: In a method and a device for controlling a carbon monoxide output of an electric arc oven, comprising an oven container, an arrangement for determining a height of a foamed slag in at least three zones of the oven container on the basis of a solid-borne sound measurement, at least one first device for controlling an oxygen infeed, and at least one second device for controlling a carbon infeed into the oven container, the height of the foamed slag is determined in each of the at least three zones and associated with a carbon monoxide content in the exhaust gas of the electric arc oven, wherein the carbon infeed and/or the oxygen infeed in at least one of the at least three zones is controlled such that the height of the foamed slag is maintained below a maximum value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas Matschullat, Detlef Rieger
  • Publication number: 20110286490
    Abstract: A method for producing an activated carbon material, such as a tape or belt of carbon fibres, includes within a reaction chamber causing relative movement between a carbon-containing substrate and an electric arc in a gap between two electrodes or adjacent an electrode so that an electric arc exists between the electrode and the substrate to heat the substrate to a substrate surface temperature effective to activate the carbon-containing substrate and above about 3750K. The activated material has high adsorbency, and increased capacitance and conductivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: John Abrahamson, Rahul Shastry
  • Patent number: 8021599
    Abstract: A method for producing steel products (1) with optimum surface quality wherein the molten steel (1b) is produced in a process route (10, 100; 12; 13) that is selected according to a desired final microstructure (9), by melting in a furnace (2b) with an electrode system (31), and in a vacuum degassing system; or by melting in a furnace installation (35) or an individual furnace vessel (30), in a ladle furnace (25), and in a differential-pressure vacuum degassing system (43); or by melting in a furnace (2b) with additions of alloying materials (26), a partial-quantity degassing in the ladle furnace (25), or a vacuum degassing system (27) and a ladle degassing (27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: SMS Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Fritz-Peter Pleschiutschnigg, Karl-Ernst Hensger, Dieter Rosenthal, Rainer Teworte, Dieter Tembergen
  • Patent number: 8023550
    Abstract: A reactance ballast device (V), in particular for an arc furnace, has an induction coil (1) and a free-standing load stepping switch (2), with the load stepping switch (2) being designed to adjust the reactance of the induction coil (1) while on load. A transformer (T), in particular for an arc furnace (O), has an associated reactance ballast device (V) of the type mentioned initially. An arc furnace (O), in particular for steel smelting, is preceded by a transformer (T) such as this.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Arno Döbbeler
  • Patent number: 7991039
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the operating parameters of an electric arc furnace having a primary electrical circuit comprising a primary current transformer. The method includes monitoring the furnace's primary current transformer; collecting data therefrom; transmitting the collected data to a server having an operatively connected monitor; and displaying the collected data on the monitor in substantially real-time. The server also collects information about the performance of the furnace from a programmable logic computer and information entered manually by an operator at a furnace monitoring viewer system, which may also be displayed in substantially real-time on the monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald E. Gerhan, Nicolas Lugo, Dave A. Lehr, Fernando Martinez Garcia
  • Publication number: 20110013662
    Abstract: A process for at least one of a chemical and a physical treatment of fluidizable substances in a reactor. The process includes introducing a hot gas into an interior of the reactor through a gas supply tube and cooling at least one of the hot gas and the gas supply tube with a coolant. The cooling is performed by contacting the hot gas with the coolant so as to provide a temperature of a wall of the gas supply tube at least 50° C. lower than a temperature of the gas at an inlet of the gas supply tube facing away from the interior of the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventors: Michael Missalla, Edgar Gasafi, Jean Claude Hein, Andreas Orth, Jean-Paul Nepper
  • Publication number: 20110007773
    Abstract: In a method for operating an arc furnace (2) with at least one electrode (3a, 3b, 3c), a solid material fed to the arc furnace (1) is melted by an arc (1) formed by the at least one electrode (3a, 3b, 3c). A measurement (MM) for the mass of one part of the solid material arranged on a boundary (2) of the arc furnace (1) is determined, and using the determined measurement (MM), a process variable of the arc furnace (1) is controlled and/or regulated. A method which can reduce the risk of electrode damage caused by metal scraps falling into the treated area is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Arno Döbbeler, Klaus Krüger, Thomas Matschullat, Detlef Rieger
  • Publication number: 20080232423
    Abstract: A method for preparing material comprising the steps of providing a transport vehicle including a horizontal ejector and a basin that defines an opening, wherein the horizontal ejector is coupled to the material within the basin; loading a first material into the basin proximate the horizontal ejector; loading a second material into the basin proximate the opening; actuating the horizontal ejector for movement from a retracted position toward a deployed position; and horizontally ejecting the second material through the opening and then subsequently horizontally ejecting the first material through the opening. A system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: Edw. C. Levy Co.
    Inventors: Barry J. Alexin, Thomas A. Smith
  • Patent number: 6999495
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing spatial energy coverage in a furnace is provided. The apparatus of the present invention includes a panel positioned at least partially into a sidewall of a furnace. The panel includes a plurality of openings for injecting a material through each of the openings at least partially during the same time period. The method of the present invention includes positioning the panel at least partially within the sidewall of a furnace. The method also includes injecting at least partially during the same time period, a primary combustion material, a secondary combustion material, and a particulate material, into the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Air Liquide America, LP
    Inventors: Alex Popenov, Peter van Kampen, Yury Eyfa, Olivier Delabroy
  • Patent number: 6810069
    Abstract: Protection systems are described for electrical systems such as electrical arc furnaces. The protection systems may be designed and used to detect and clear faults that may occur within the electric arc furnace. For example, a pair of Rogowski coils may be used to detect current at their respective locations along a conductors, and output corresponding signals to a multi-function, differential relay having multiple voltage and current inputs. By comparing the signals from the Rogowski coils, the differential relay may determine whether a fault exists at some point along the conductors and between the pair of Rogowski coils. Further, the relay may then, in response to the fault, trip a circuit breaker or other network protection device, so that the fault may be corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: McGraw-Edison Company
    Inventors: Ljubomir A. Kojovic, Martin T. Bishop
  • Patent number: 6794598
    Abstract: An arc electrode structure, for producing carbon nanostructures, which includes a first electrode and two or more second electrodes disposed within a chamber is provided. The electrodes are connected to a voltage potential to produce an arc-plasma region. The first electrode has a sloped surface with a plurality of holes therein for holding catalyst. The first electrode's sloped surface, and the positioning of the plurality of second electrodes allows control of the direction and region of arc-plasma. Further, the first electrode has a central bore which may be either a blind bore, or a through bore. The blind bore collects unwanted deposits that slide off of the sloped surface of the first electrode. The throughbore either allows soot and carbon nanostructures to be removed from the chamber, or allows organic vapor to be introduced into the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Houjin Huang, Hisashi Kajiura, Mitsuaki Miyakoshi, Atsuo Yamada, Masashi Shiraishi
  • Publication number: 20040101021
    Abstract: A method for periodic elongation of the electrode for the electric arc furnace and the electrode for the electric arc furnace. The method includes screwing on the electrode column of an earlier prepared new electrode and a nipple with a longitudinal through hole with a metal rod in it, for example made of aluminium or copper, which is melted under the working temperatures of the electrode column with filling up cavities in the joint “electrodes-nipple”, as well as with partial filling of the additional cavity in the body of the electrode, the gas mixture from the space of the additional cavity free of liquid metal being drawn to the working area of the furnace through provided holes in the body of the said electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Viktor Nikolaevich Khloponin, Ewald Schumacher
  • Publication number: 20040066830
    Abstract: An electrode for electric arc furnaces, in which metallurgical processes are performed, has a current-conducting electrode core having a core end pointing in a direction of the furnace bottom in the mounted state of the electrode. An electrode armor made of an electrically conducting material is provided that is process-neutral relative to a molten mass and slag of the metallurgical processes. The electrode armor is arranged on the electrode core and the core end such that at least the electrode portion immersed into the slag or the molten mass is completely enclosed. In this way, contact between the electrode and the slag and molten mass is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Roland Konig, Walter Weischedel
  • Publication number: 20040052289
    Abstract: An electric arc furnace and method for forming tubular carbon nanostructures comprising a first electrode (cathode) and an a second electrode (anode) opposite the first electrode, sources of voltage (V) and current (A) to create charged particles (Ie) and produce an arch between the electrodes, a source of a gas to surround the arc, and a source of carbon precursor positioned adjacent the anode and within the arc, wherein the arc is maintained at a pressure and high temperature for a time sufficient to heat the carbon precursor to form carbon nonotubes upon the anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Robert P.H. Chang
  • Publication number: 20040017837
    Abstract: A fume extraction system includes a combustion zone coupled with an exhaust outlet of a furnace to receive an exhaust gas stream emerging from the furnace outlet during system operation, where the exhaust gas stream includes explosive gases that undergo combustion reactions within the combustion zone. A duct section is aligned downstream from the combustion zone to deliver the exhaust gas stream toward a venting outlet. A suction unit establishes a negative pressure within the system so as to draw the exhaust gas stream from the furnace outlet and through the fume extraction system during system operation. An exhaust damper is further provided within the system between the combustion zone inlet and the suction unit. A control system selectively controls the negative pressure applied to the furnace, combustion zone and duct section based upon a measured concentration of at least one gas constituent within the exhaust gas stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Stewart C. Jepson
  • Publication number: 20030235231
    Abstract: A method of measuring the instantaneous parameters of a consumable electrode by: (a) providing a laser measuring device and positioning the laser measuring device in the vicinity of the electrode to be measured; (b) activating the laser measuring device to obtain data relating to the instantaneous parameters of the consumable electrode; and (c) transferring the data obtained from the laser measuring device to a computer data processing and storage device to determine the instantaneous parameters of the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Hernan Rincon, Jorge Reyes
  • Patent number: 6400748
    Abstract: In order to operate an electric arc furnace (1) in optimum conditions, especially in order to build up and maintain a certain intensity of foamed slag, the amount of slag builder fed into the furnace (1) and therefore the power consumption of the furnace (1) is regulated according to the current received by the electrodes (2) in such a way that a maximum amount of slag builder is initially added in order to build up said foamed slag until the amount of current received by the electrodes (2) is reduced. Subsequently, the amount of added slag builder is reduced until the amount of current received reaches a predetermined set value. The theoretical amount of current received is kept constant by reducing or increasing the added amount of slag builder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventors: Wilfried Stein, Karl Stein
  • Patent number: 6371711
    Abstract: An apparatus for feeding containers of feed material into a process chamber is disclosed. The apparatus is designed to maintain the atmosphere within the process chamber as separate from the atmosphere surrounding the process chamber. The apparatus has a feeder housing having at least two internal seals, which form an airtight seal about the feeding canisters as the canisters are passed through the seals. The seals are separated by a distance less than the length of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Integrated Environmental Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas N. Berger
  • Publication number: 20010043638
    Abstract: An electrode assembly comprising concentric tubular electrodes is provided for high temperature processing of materials. The electrode assembly is connected with a power supply that includes switching means for alternatively operating the electrode assembly in a transferred mode of operation, in a non-transferred mode of operation, or according to a controlled sequence of non-transferred and transferred modes of operation. The power supply system includes variable inductors, such as leakage-coupled reactors, for controlling the electrical power supplied to the electrodes for producing a DC arc. The electrode assembly can be incorporated into an arc furnace for processing waste material in the furnace. The electrode assembly is also suitable for use in the practice of in-situ vitrification and remediation of contaminated soil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: J. Kenneth Wittle, Richard A. Hamilton, Charles S. Titus
  • Patent number: 6289034
    Abstract: A process for producing metals from a metalliferous feed material in an electric furnace is disclosed. The process includes the steps of forming a molten bath having a metal layer and a slag layer on the metal layer in the furnace and supplying electrical energy to the furnace and converting the electrical energy to thermal energy and thereby contributing to the heat input requirements of the process. The process also includes injecting a carrier gas and a solid carbonaceous material into the molten bath via one or more than one solids injection lance/tuyere and causing molten material to be projected from the molten bath as splashes, droplets, and streams into a space above a nominal quiescent surface of the molten bath and forming a transition zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Technologies Resources Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Cecil Peter Bates
  • Patent number: 6229838
    Abstract: An electric arc furnace is provided for the production of steel by melting metal between electrodes. The electric arc furnace comprises gas injectors provided with respective cooling chambers placed in a wall of the furnace, wherein at least one single chamber is associated with at least two injectors in order to cool each injector. Each injector is angled in a manner appropriate with respect to a corresponding gas injected thereby and to a corresponding function thereof, wherein the orientation axes of the injectors are not parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Sébastien Flichy, Jacky Laurent, Frédéric Viraize, Marc Bremont, Jean-Claude Vuillermoz
  • Patent number: 6154709
    Abstract: In low-power AC networks, it is desirable when a load is connected, for example an arc furnace or a vehicle, to know the load capacity of the AC network in order to avoid undesirable drops in the network voltage U.sub.N. To this end, load voltage signals which are proportional to the amplitude of a load voltage U.sub.L are detected at the point of the load L at a 1st measurement time which can be predetermined and at a 2nd measurement time which can be predetermined and is later. At the same time, load current signals are detected which are proportional to the amplitude of a load current I.sub.L. Furthermore, a phase difference .DELTA..phi. is determined, which is obtained with reference to the phase angle of the network voltage U.sub.N at the 1st measurement time. These measurements are used as the bases to calculate a magnitude of the network impedance of the AC network and the network phase angle .phi..sub.N between the network voltage U.sub.N and the network current. A maximum possible power P.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Kai Mossig, Peter Terwiesch
  • Patent number: 5788920
    Abstract: An oxygen blowing lance capable of directing oxygen jet streams onto a molten metal in an electric furnace, the lance being insertable into an electric furnace through a sidewall working port, the lance being positionable above the molten metal in the electric furnace. The lance includes a horizontal segment and an angled segment, the angled segment being positioned on the distal portion of the horizontal segment and being inclined relative to the horizontal segment. The lance also includes a tip, the tip being positioned on the distal portion of the angled segment, with the distal portion of the tip being directed toward the molten metal. The horizontal segment, the angled segment and the tip define an oxygen flow channel and a cooling water flow channel. The oxygen flow channel extends substantially the length of the lance, and the cooling water flow channel surrounds the oxygen flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Okamoto, Nobuyoshi Takashiba
  • Patent number: 5573573
    Abstract: There is disclosed an electric arc furnace for the production of steel by melting scrap, in particular iron scrap, and/or sponge iron and/or pig iron as well as fluxes in a furnace vessel, into which at least one graphite electrode projects, which is displaceable in its longitudinal direction, wherein an electric arc is ignited between the graphite electrode and the charging stock. To achieve a particularly high energy input, the graphite electrode projects into a lower part of the furnace vessel from aside and the lower part, in the region of the graphite electrode, has an enlargement radially protruding outwardly relative to the upper part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Berger, Peter Mittag, Johannes Steins, Gert Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 5471495
    Abstract: There is disclosed an electric arc furnace for the production of steel by melting scrap, in particular iron scrap, and/or sponge iron and/or pig iron as well as fluxes in a furnace vessel, into which at least one graphite electrode projects, which is displaceable in its longitudinal direction, wherein an electric arc is ignited between the graphite electrode and the charging stock. To achieve a particularly high energy input, the graphite electrode projects into a lower part of the furnace vessel from aside and the lower part, in the region of the graphite electrode, has an enlargement radially protruding outwardly relative to the upper part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbeau GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Berger, Peter Mittag, Johannes Steins, Gert Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 5454852
    Abstract: A converter for the production of steel from solid and/or liquid charging substances, such as pig iron and/or scrap and/or sponge iron, includes a refractorily lined refining vessel, a refining device for feeding oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas, and a heating device. In order to obtain the maximum output possible at high scrap charging as well as a high purity of the steel, the heating device includes at least one self-consuming graphite electrode and the refining device, independent of the heating device, either is formed by an oxygen-blowing lance or includes oxygen-containing bottom and/or lateral tuyeres located below the melt bath level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Industieanlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Pirklbauer, Johann Grabner, Sieghart Kaspar
  • Patent number: 5333146
    Abstract: An incinerator for the disposal of biohazardous waste has a sealed enclosure defining a combustion chamber with upper, first level intermediate, second level intermediate and lower portions. The upper chamber portion is an inclined chute with a door into which a plurality of cylindrical metal containers of waste are loaded. The bottom run of the chute has a stepped, centrally expanding dimension so different sized containers will be self-centered. A pair of laterally-spaced drums is disposed in the first level intermediate portion, at a constriction which stops further descent down the chute of the leading container. Banks of first level TIG torches are arranged to arc to the drums, providing heat for "cooking" waste in the unopened containers in the upper portion with rising gases and for opening the leading container and incandescently acting on solid materials spilled therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Inventor: Murry Vance
  • Patent number: 5297160
    Abstract: An arc furnace comprising a furnace vessel having a transverse axis and a central axis, electrodes disposed on a graduated circle, the electrodes projecting into the furnace vessel parallel to the central vertical axis, the electrodes are mounted on an electrode holding device of three supporting columns and three supporting arms, the center is located on the transverse axis at a predetermined distance from the center, the transverse axis being collinear with the middle one of the supporting arms, an electrode is disposed closest to the supporting columns at the intersection of the transverse axis and the graduated circle, and the other electrodes are disposed on the graduated circle an angle .alpha.=<110.degree. with the electrode at the center of the circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Joseph F. Kroker
  • Patent number: 5255284
    Abstract: A direct-current electric arc furnace has an at least one electric arc electrode switched as a cathode and a bottom electrode switched as an anode. The bottom electrode includes an electrically conductive bottom plate, a first ramming mass consisting of electrically non-conducting refractory material centrally located atop the electrically conductive bottom plate, and a second ramming mass consisting of electrically non-conducting refractory material, the second ramming mass being located atop and about a periphery of the electrically conductive bottom plate.A plurality of concentrically arranged electrode segments are positioned between the first and second ramming masses, each of the plurality of electrode segments including an electrically non-conducting ramming mass configured to support a plurality of vertically arranged and electrically conducting segment conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Deutsch Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Dane Meredith
  • Patent number: 5252120
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing high quality steel having less than about 1 ppm H, 50 ppm N, 25 ppm O and 0.005 S which includes subjection to vacuum, gas purging, and alternating current heating arcs, followed by shrouded pouring into sealed ingot molds to form a VAR electrode which is subsequently remelted under a very low absolute vacuum and re-solidified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: A. Finkl & Sons Co.
    Inventors: Charles W. Finkl, Guy A. Brada, Algirdas A. Underys
  • Patent number: 5245627
    Abstract: A process is disclosed, for treating dross containing a metal such as aluminum, in order to recover this metal, In this process, the dross to be treated is introduced into a rotary or oscillating furnace, in which it is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the metal to be recovered while the furnace is rotated or oscillated to cause the metal to be recovered to separate from the dross. After the separation is completed, the metal to be recovered is removed from the furnace prior to removing the balance of the dross. In this process, the furnace that is used is a radiating arc furnace having two opposite electrodes which are preferably made of graphite, between which an electrical arc is generated and maintained in order to provide the desired heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Hydro Quebec
    Inventor: Michel G. Drouet
  • Patent number: 5237585
    Abstract: A direct current arc furnace has a furnace vessel which is surrounded by a metal shell having at least one electrode connected as a cathode, and at least one bottom contact. The bottom of the furnace consists of a lining layer which possesses electrically conducting bricks or the like, which lining layer lies on a contact plate covering most of the bottom. The contact plate forms the bottom contact connected as the anode and lies on a bottom plate. The bottom plate is equipped with a plurality of connection fittings which pass through openings in the bottom plate and are connected via electric wires to a current supplying device provided next to the furnace. For the internal deflection of the arc, at least one section of the lining layer is composed of a material which possesses a lower electrical conductivity than the lining layer in another section which is circumferentially spaced from the one section so as to form circumferentially spaced zones of varying conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri Ltd.
    Inventor: Sven-Einar Stenkvist
  • Patent number: 5224118
    Abstract: An incinerator for the disposal of biohazardous waste has a sealed enclosure defining a combustion chamber with upper, first level intermediate, second level intermediate and lower portions. The upper chamber portion is an inclined chute with a door into which a plurality of cylindrical metal containers of waste are loaded. The bottom run of the chute has a stepped, centrally expanding dimension so different sized containers will be self-centered. A pair of laterally-spaced drums is disposed in the first level intermediate portion, at a constriction which stops further descent down the chute of the leading container. Banks of first level TIG torches are arranged to arc to the drums, providing heat for "cooking" waste in the unopened containers in the upper portion with rising gases and for opening the leading container and incandescently acting on solid materials spilled therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Inventor: Murry Vance
  • Patent number: 5199043
    Abstract: A lining for a direct-current electric-arc furnace, in which at least part of that regions of said furnace which receives the melt is provided on the inside with an electrically conductive, refractory brick lining and a ring-shaped current conductor, on its outside, constitutes the opposite pole to the upper electrode centrally extending into said surface. The entire bottom area is covered with a refractory, insulating brick lining and a brick lining of graphite bricks is applied onto that brick lining in the radially outer wall region of the furnace. Located adjacent thereto in radially inward manner is an annular zone, comprising an electrically conductive, refractory brick lining. The central bottom area above said insulating brick lining is consittuted by a monolithic ramming mass. Furthermore, the material of the wall of said furnace above said brick lining of graphite bricks largely corresponds to that of said insulating brick lining at the hearth bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Deutsche Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Dane Meredith
  • Patent number: 5189682
    Abstract: The invention provides a direct current electric arc furnace which is composed of a feeding system of direct current to the furnace, a movable electrode at the roof of the furnace, and a bottom electrode attached to the bottom of the furnace at the position deviated from the center of the bottom of the furnace, the deviated distance from the center being determined by a magnetic field, generated by a current in the steel bath of the furnace, from under an arc generated by the movable electrode to the bottom electrode, which can cancel a second magnetic field generated by the current of the feeding system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: NKK Corporation
    Inventors: Toshimichi Maki, Takato Matsuo
  • Patent number: 5166950
    Abstract: Process for melting a furnace charge, with post-combustion of the smokes by njecting an oxygenated gas in the furnace atmosphere as a series of jets flowing according to a tangential component in the space between electrodes and cylindrical furnace partition of the furnace, in a direction of injection so as to produce a rotary gas current about the vertical axis of the furnace and preferably in at least two series as two stepped levels to produce gas currents which rotate in opposite directions. Applications to electrical furnaces for the production of steel or ferro-alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes
    Inventors: Dominique Jouvaud, Nicolas Perrin
  • Patent number: 5138629
    Abstract: The invention provides a direct current electric arc furnace which is composed of a feeding system of direct current to the furnace, a movable electrode at the roof of the furnace, and a bottom electrode attached to the bottom of the furnace at the position deviated from the center of the bottom of the furnace, the deviated distance from the center being determined by a magnetic field, generated by a current in the steel bath of the furnace, from under an arc generated by the movable electrode to the bottom electrode, which can cancel a second magnetic field generated by the current of the feeding system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: NKK Corporation
    Inventors: Toshimichi Maki, Takato Matsuo