Top Charging Patents (Class 373/81)
  • Patent number: 10429131
    Abstract: An arrangement (10) for preventing egress of a gas from a first opening of a vessel, the vessel including at least one other opening through which the gas can leave the vessel, the arrangement comprising an open passage (48) extending substantially around the first opening, the open passage (48) receiving a flow of gas such that the flow of gas leaves the open passage and flows towards and into the vessel to cause a gas from the environment external to the vessel to be drawn into the vessel. The arrangement may comprise a Coanda surface. The arrangement may be in the form of an inert for placement in the opening to the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Glencore Technology Pty Limited
    Inventors: Stanko Nikolic, Stephen Francis Gwynn-Jones, Nathan Roy Woodall
  • Patent number: 9139377
    Abstract: A method, control, and tracking system of a charge of material transported by a continuous supply conveyor of a metallurgical furnace, for example an electric furnace for production of steel. The continuous conveyor includes, in sequence starting from its inlet end towards its outlet end, a loading section of the charge of material to be supplied to the furnace, a preheating section of the charge of material loaded, and an introduction section into the furnace of the preheated charge of material, and along the loading section at least a first loading station of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: TENOVA S.p.A.
    Inventors: Francesco Alberto Maria Assante, Renato Girelli, Silvio Maria Reali
  • Publication number: 20150030049
    Abstract: Method for managing the metal charge in a melting furnace comprising at least a step of depositing metal materials to be melted in a storage zone, a step of picking up and loading the metal materials from the storage zone onto feed means by means of loading means, and a feed step in which the feed means feed the materials toward the melting furnace. The deposit step provides to divide the storage zone into a plurality of specialized areas in each of which a differentiated type of the metal materials is deposited, and during the pick-up and loading step, a processing device controls and commands the actuation of the loading means which pick up the types of materials from the specialized areas and load them onto the feed means according to a desired modality and quantity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Ferruccio Della Vedova, Lorenzo Ciani
  • Patent number: 8902949
    Abstract: A method is provided to control the feed of a metal charge into an electric arc furnace having at least one electrode to generate an electric arc to melt metals. The method includes: a step of defining a “cover index CI” of the electric arc by the slag present above the liquid metal bath, in order to calculate which of the harmonics present in an electric feed quantity of the furnace are taken into consideration; a step of measuring the actual cover index CI value during a functioning cycle of the furnace; and a step of adjusting the speed of feed of the metal charge into the furnace based on the measured value of the cover index CI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Danieli Automation SpA
    Inventors: Ferruccio Della Vedova, Marco Ometto
  • Patent number: 8891584
    Abstract: The present invention provides a shaft high temperature continuous graphitizing furnace comprising a furnace body comprising a feeding inlet and a discharging outlet, an electrode pair, a cooling system and a discharging device; the furnace body is designed to be a shaft cylindrical structure; the electrode pair is provided within the furnace body and comprise an upper electrode and a lower electrode, the upper electrode is located below the feeding inlet, and an umbrella or cone table shape electric field having a lower cross section area greater than its upper cross section area arises between the upper electrode and eh lower electrode; and the cooling system is located between the lower electrode and the discharging outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Miluo Xinxiang Carbon Products Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Yinghe Li
  • Publication number: 20140126604
    Abstract: In a charging hopper system of an electric arc furnace with a closure member which can be opened, a hopper-like containment with a discharge opening and at least one suction opening, the closure member closes the precharging chamber, the precharging chamber is separated from the hopper-like containment by a separating wall which can be opened and, in addition, a movable push shield is arranged in the precharging chamber for moving scrap metal from the precharging chamber into the hopper-like containment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: INTECO SPECIAL MELTING TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventor: INTECO SPECIAL MELTING TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
  • Patent number: 8506230
    Abstract: A distributor device including a distribution chute that extends inside the tank at an inclined angle for distributing material in the interior of the tank. A rotation frame is rotatable around a vertical central rotation axis (L) and includes a vertical inlet channel extending to the interior of the tank. A circular support frame is horizontally attached to the rotation frame, concentrically in relation to the vertical central rotation axis. A number of support rollers are connected to the tank and the axes of the support rollers are positioned radially with respect to the central rotation axis (L). At least one of the support rollers is as a support roller driving the rotation frame, which support roller the actuator is arranged to rotate. The distributor device includes a counterweight attached to the rotation frame, on the opposite side of the central rotation axis (L) in relation to the distribution chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Janne Ollila, Tom Rönnberg, Ari Ceder
  • Publication number: 20130051423
    Abstract: An electric arc furnace, signal processing device, storage medium, machine-readable program code, and method for determining a time for charging (e.g., recharging) an electric arc furnace with material to be melted (e.g., scrap) are provided. The electric arc furnace may include electrode(s) for heating material inside the electric arc furnace by an electric arc. By detecting a signal for determining a phase state of an electric arc root on the side of the material to be melted based on a captured electrode current, by checking whether the signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value for a predetermined minimum duration, and by ensuring that the charging time is reached at the earliest when the signal exceeds the predetermined minimum duration threshold value, a state-oriented charging time for an electric arc furnace can be determined to reduce energy use, resource use, and production time for a production cycle to reach a tap weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Björn Dittmer, Arno Döbbeler, Klaus Kruger, Sascha Leadbetter, Thomas Matschullat, Detlef Rieger
  • Publication number: 20120134384
    Abstract: This invention concerns an electric arc furnace comprising a chamber suitable for containing molten steel; a roof suitable for covering the chamber and for containing a mass of scrap steel; electrodes suitable for melting the mass of scrap, and means of support on a base. The latter means are such as to support the chamber and permit its oscillation around a horizontal axis of rotation. The roof and the chamber are counterprofiled in correspondence to the respective interface walls to create a rotoidal type coupling with regard to the axis of rotation. The roof, during oscillation of the chamber, remains fixed with regard to the base as well as in a closed position with regard to the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: SMS CONCAST ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Stefano Miani, Bruno Rubeo
  • Patent number: 7776253
    Abstract: An installation is provided for supplying materials into a metallurgical unit by the alloying steel for synchronizing the process of melting the supplied materials and reducing the alloying elements. The installation includes a distributor gear made as a funnel and a swivel launder with a drive, and intermediate hoppers interconnected with a pipe-chute. The installation is provided with a housing having a lid and means for fastening to structures of a plant. The funnel is mounted in the lid, the swivel launder is mounted under the lid and the intermediate hoppers are positioned radially in the housing to form a cavity by hopper surfaces facing a longitudinal axis of the installation, said cavity being separated from the interior of the hoppers, which are coupled to the pipe chute by discharge openings formed therein and shutters mounted to move relative to a longitudinal axis of a hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Obschestvo S Ogranichennoi Otvetstvennostyu “Issledovatelsko-Tekhnologichesky Tsentr Ausferr”
    Inventors: Andrei Andreevich Morozov, Rafkat Spartakovich Takhautdinov, Anatoly Yakovlevich Nakonechny, Vladimir Nikolaevich Urtsev, Dim Maratovich Khabibulin, Felix Vilenovich Kaptsan, Sergei Nikolaevich Anikeev, Sergei Iosifovich Platov, Vadim Yurievich Shtol
  • Patent number: 6801563
    Abstract: A scrap charging apparatus for an electric arc furnace includes a scrap holding bunker having diverging side walls extending between end walls separated by a scrap discharge opening supplying scrap from a fall space in the bunker to a scrap discharge chute. The end wall remote to the scrap discharged opening of the chute slopes at an acute angle to organized scrap entering the discharged opening. A throat opening for scrap passing into the scrap discharge chute is controlled by a pivotal scrap jam relief gate moveable between a scrap metering position, a relief position and a scrap compacting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: SMS Demag, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Stercho
  • Publication number: 20030086469
    Abstract: A scrap charging apparatus for an electric arc furnace a scrap holding bunker having diverging side walls extending between end walls separated by a scrap discharge opening supplying scrap from a fall space in the bunker to a scrap discharge chute. The end wall remote to the scrap discharged opening of the chute slopes at an acute angle to organized scrap entering the discharged opening. A throat opening for scrap passing into the slag discharge chute is controlled by a pivotal scrap jam relief gate moveable between a scrap metering position a relief position and a scrap compacting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: Michael J. Stercho
  • Patent number: 6438154
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing liquid slag and baghouse dust from a steelmaking furnace such as an EAF to recover valuable metals from the slag and dust includes a treatment vessel having a movable lower shell portion for receiving liquid slag and an upper shell portion that couples with the movable lower shell portion during heat activation of the treatment vessel. The slag is combined with silicon dioxide, a reducing agent, baghouse dust, and an inert gas before being heated to between approximately 1400° C. and 3000° C. The heat treatment results in a molten reduced iron and manganese metallic material, a treated slag layer, and an off-gas containing lead, zinc, and carbon monoxide. The off-gas is combusted, cooled, and solidified, resulting in lead oxide and zinc oxide. The slag layer is tapped, cooled, and solidified. The metallic layer is tapped for recycle in the steel making process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventor: John A. Vallomy
  • Patent number: 6389054
    Abstract: A scrap charging apparatus for an electric arc furnace uses a skip hoist to supply scrap to a holding bunker having diverging end walls extending between converging side walls. The containment space for the scrap is increased by this wall arrangement and provides an impetus in the bunker for scrap flow to an underlying scrap delivery chute. The scrap delivery chute is formed by an elongated scrap carrying trough having a greater width than the exit width of the scrap holding bunker for delivering scrap to a charging opining for an electric arc furnace A superstructure supporting the scrap holding bunker at an elevated and lateral spaced location from the electric arc furnace. A ram controlled by a drive incrementally advances scrap along the scrap delivery chute for introducing successive preselected volumes of scrap to a charging opining for an electric arc furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: SMS Demag Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Stercho
  • Patent number: 6347110
    Abstract: A feeding device for low shaft furnaces, in particular for arc furnaces for melting scrap, it being possible for the furnaces to be closed by a cover connected to a gas-extracting device, and it being possible for a charging apparatus to be set down on the furnaces once the cover has been removed from the furnace shaft. The charging apparatus has a top part and a bottom part. The top part is configured as a charging container which has a gas-permeable base which can be opened, and, in the region of its mouth, the bottom part is configured such that it corresponds with the top border of the upper furnace vessel. Provided outside the low shaft furnace is a bearing on which the charging apparatus can be set down and of which the level is considerably lower than that of the top border of the upper furnace vessel. The bearing has a connection by which it can be connected to the gas-extracting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: SMS Demag AG
    Inventors: Lutz Becker, Bertram Rupietta
  • Patent number: 6335945
    Abstract: A smelting furnace system for smelting metals, especially steel scrap, with a lower furnace vessel, in the bottom of which a tap hole is provided, and with an upper furnace vessel, which can be closed by a cover, in which a central pipe is provided coaxially with respect to the main axis of the furnace, in which pipe at least one electrode is arranged, and on which pipe there is provided a component which encompasses the upper furnace vessel and can be connected to a gas offtake device. In this arrangement, a slit is provided in the wall of the central pipe in a longitudinal direction. A sleeve is fastened at the edge of the slit, allowing the central pipe to be fastened to the casing of the upper furnace vessel having a corresponding slit. Furthermore, a supporting arm, which is connected to a supporting pillar arranged outside the furnace, can be led through the hollow space of the sleeve into the central pipe, with at least one electrode fastened on the front face of this arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: SMS Demag AG
    Inventors: Peter Meierling, Andreas Schüring, Hans-Ludwig Schaller
  • Publication number: 20010046251
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing liquid slag and baghouse dust from a steelmaking furnace such as an EAF to recover valuable metals from the slag and dust includes a treatment vessel having a movable lower shell portion for receiving liquid slag and an upper shell portion that couples with the movable lower shell portion during heat activation of the treatment vessel. The slag is combined with silicon dioxide, a reducing agent, baghouse dust, and an inert gas before being heated to between approximately 1400° C. and 3000° C. The heat treatment results in a molten reduced iron and manganese metallic material, a treated slag layer, and an off-gas containing lead, zinc, and carbon monoxide. The off-gas is combusted, cooled, and solidified, resulting in lead oxide and zinc oxide. The slag layer is tapped, cooled, and solidified. The metallic layer is tapped for recycle in the steel making process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventor: John A. Vallomy
  • Publication number: 20010043640
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a direct current electric arc furnace for melting or heating raw materials or molten material. The furnace comprises a refractory lined vessel for holding raw or molten metal material. The furnace also comprises a first top electrode and at least a second top electrode. Each of the top electrodes enters the vessel above the raw or molten material and has a position in the vessel. The furnace comprises at least one bottom electrode mounted in the bottom of the vessel and in electrical contact with the raw or molten material in the vessel. Additionally, the furnace comprises an electrical power supply mechanism with conductors to electrically connect to the top electrodes and the bottom electrode in order to input electrical energy into the material through the top and bottom electrodes in the form of arcs which deflect toward each other and define a hot area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Applicant: ANSEL M. SCHWARTZ
    Inventors: HIROSHI SHIMIZU, JOSEPH L. HAKE, RICHARD L. COOK
  • Patent number: 6269112
    Abstract: This invention is an electric arc furnace that can be continuously charged with ferrous materials, that can continuously melt the incoming charged materials, and that can semicontinuously tap molten steel by tilting to tap one side of the furnace or another. Continuous melting and refining can occur in lateral shafts adjacent to the central melting zone, and molten steel can be tapped from either of these shafts or directly from the central melting zone if desired. The furnace can be operated and tapped continuously, which provides many distinct advantages over what is currently available in the art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Inventors: Alfredo Poloni, Gianpietro Benedetti, Milorad Pavlicevic, Matteo Vittorio Losciale
  • Patent number: 6235075
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process and apparatus for generating high-silicon foundry pig iron. In the process: a) silicon oxides and iron-carbon metals are charged in a shaft furnace; b) the charge is kept under a highly reducing atmosphere; c) the material column is guided annularly at least in the vicinity of the vessel bottom and d) exposed to the radiation heat of a heat source located in the free space in the outlet region of the annular material column above the furnace base. The furnace has a centrally arranged electrode, which projects into the furnace vessel and is guided up to the vicinity of the base, and a counterelectrode arranged in the base of the furnace vessel. The electrode projecting into the vessel is enclosed by a coaxially guided sleeve whose outer diameter “d” is in a ratio to the inner diameter “D” of the furnace vessel such that d;D is about 1:4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Werner Hofmann, Wolfgang Reichelt
  • Patent number: 6155765
    Abstract: The present invention is a bulk loader apparatus for providing bulk material through an open roof of an electric arc furnace. The bulk loader apparatus is a base, a swing arm pivotally connected to the base, a swing cradle pivotally connected to an upper region of the swing arm, and a hopper positionable in the swing cradle. In operation, a hydraulic cylinder mounted on the base and connected to the swing arm moves the swing arm from a standby position where a full hopper is positioned in the swing cradle to a charging position where the contents of the hopper are emptied into the electric arc furnace. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a wire and pulley assembly is also included to reduce the distance the swing arm must be rotated to empty the bulk material from the hopper. In another embodiment of the present invention, the swing arm is mounted on a turret which rotates the swing arm between the standby position and one or more charging positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Inventors: Bruce J. Warnix, Sam H. McAllister
  • Patent number: 6136060
    Abstract: A method for refining a titanium metal containing ore such as rutile or illmenite or mixtures to produce titanium ingots or titanium alloys and compounds of titanium involves production of titanium tetrachloride as a molten slag, by processing the ore in a chlorination procedure and removing various impurities by a distillation or other procedure to form a relatively pure titanium tetrachloride (TiCl.sub.4). Thereafter, the titanium tetrachloride is introduced into the plasma focal point of a plasma reactor in a molten sodium environment for the initial reduction of gas phase titanium into titanium molten drops which are collected by a set of skulls. Thereafter, further processing are carried out in higher vacuum and the titanium is heated by electron beam guns in order to maximize titanium purity and, in a final optional stage, alloying compounds are added under yet higher vacuum and high temperature conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventor: Adrian A. Joseph
  • Patent number: 6004504
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved control of continuous electric arc furnace steelmaking in which a charge velocity detector measures charge velocity of metallic charge introduced to the furnace. A charge mass detector measures a charge mass of metallic charge introduced to the furnace. A computer determines a feed rate based on the charge velocity and the charge mass. An automatic bath level probe detects a steel bath. The computer determines a steel bath level and optimal positions to insert a temperature probe and an oxygen lance, and further predicts new bath levels from one tapping time to the next tapping time. The temperature probe is inserted to an optimal measurement position based on the steel bath level and measures a steel bath temperature. The oxygen lance is positioned and maintained at an optimal oxygen injection position and injects oxygen into the bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Techint Compagnia Tecnica Internazionale
    Inventor: John A. Vallomy
  • Patent number: 5879617
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating residual or waste materials that can be recycled energetically, especially light-weight refuse from shredders, which, reduced in size and classified, are stored in bunkers. The residual or waste material is fed by portions from the bunkers to a supply trough in a metal melting furnace, especially an electric arc furnace for melting steel. After a predetermined time, the residual material is placed by portions into a sluice that can be closed in a gas-tight manner. After the sluice is closed, the residual material is subjected to an oxygen-containing gas, the pressure of which is higher than the pressure at the furnace head of the metal melting furnace, until the pressure within the sluice exceed the pressure in the furnace head. The sluice output opening facing toward the furnace vessel bottom is opened after the pressure within the sluice exceeds the pressure in the furnace head and the residual material is conveyed pneumatically into the chamber part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Reinhard Fuchs, Ewald Feuerstacke
  • Patent number: 5812587
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an apparatus for supply of molten metal including a holding furnace pivotable about an axis having a metal chamber for holding molten metal, an outlet for supplying molten metal from said chamber and an inlet well communicating with said metal chamber, said inlet well being positioned on or adjacent the pivot axis of the holding furnace and displaced along the pivot axis from said outlet, a charging means for intermittently supplying a controlled flow of molten metal to the inlet well of the holding furnace, and a control means for varying the degree of pivot of the holding furnace to maintain a predetermined supply of molten metal. Also claimed as a holding furnace for the supply of molten metal, and a method for supplying molten metal using such apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Comalco Aluminium Limited
    Inventor: Jeremy Robin Locatelli
  • Patent number: 5533043
    Abstract: An installation for the production of liquid metal by melting a charge of ferrous material, comprising at least one electric melting furnace consisting of a chamber closed by a removable roof and associated with consumable electrodes for melting the charge of ferrous material, at least one chamber for preheating the charge, and a main hot gas and flue gas removal circuit, equipped with a filtration device for removing pollutants. The preheating chamber is associated with one or more burners, and the gases produced in the chamber during preheating are sent to an auxiliary low-throughput treatment circuit equipped with an incineration chamber, and the flue gases produced in the furnace by the melting of the charge are sent directly to the main treatment circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: CLECIM
    Inventor: Guy Forestier
  • Patent number: 5513206
    Abstract: An apparatus for preheating and charging scrap material includes a throat section (38) having at one end thereof a material charging inlet (37) connected to a furnace shell (2), the throat section extending laterally and upwardly obliquely, a heat exchanger section (39) connected to the other end of the throat section (38) and extending upwardly, a sealing section (42) above the heat exchanger section (39), a material supply (43) for supplying the scrap material into the sealing section (42), an exhaust duct (53) formed at the heat exchanger section (39) just below the sealing section (42) and connected to an exhaust system (58) and a material delivery device (46) disposed at the other end of the throat section (38) for delivering the scrap material (13) from the heat exchanger section (39) to the material charging inlet (37). The scrap material (13) is substantially continuously charged into the furnace shell (2) while preheated by the high-temperature exhaust gases from the furnace shell (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Ishikawajima-Harima Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motoharu Mori, Hironobu Yoshida, Ikuo Yamamura, Toru Iura, Osamu Takeuchi, Masaki Ogushi
  • Patent number: 5500870
    Abstract: A process and melting furnace unit are provided for extracting valuable substances by reducing oxygen-bound metals which process includes exposing a charge in a first reaction zone of a furnace vessel to heat energy so that a liquid slag floats on a metal melting bath, feeding the metal bath to a second reaction zone of the furnace vessel where the slag comes intimately into contact with a reducing agent, and feeding additional heat energy to the melt in the second reaction zone to prevent hardening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heribert Konig, Heinz Stark
  • Patent number: 5479435
    Abstract: Provided are a furnace shell with a lower electrode at a bottom of the shell, a furnace roof adapted to close an upper portion of the furnace shell, a material charge port substantially at a center of the furnace roof and two upper electrodes positioned laterally opposite to each other with respect to the material charge port and vertically extending through the furnace roof. Scrap material is continuously charged through the material charge port and arcs are directed to the scrap material at a center of the furnace shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Ishikawajima-Harima Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hironobu Yoshida, Shinichi Tsukizaki
  • Patent number: 5410566
    Abstract: In a method of producing metal melts, in particular a steel melt from scrap, in an electric arc furnace having at least one graphite electrode, organic substances are charged into the electric arc through a central longitudinal recess of the graphite electrode so as to reduce electrode consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Steins, Harald Berger, Peter Mittag
  • Patent number: 5375139
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an electric arc furnace wherein the natural gas flow is artificially altered to obtain beneficial effects. By injecting gases, preferably but not necessarily containing oxygen, into the electric arc furnace in the vicinity of the electrode port, the injected gases move vertically downward near the furnace center toward the bath. This process of injecting gases downward around the electrode enables the natural circulation in the furnace to be reversed. When gases reach the bath level, they disperse outward penetrating the scrap and depositing heat energy thereon. By preheating the scrap in this manner production is increased and emissions released into the off-gas system can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Inventor: Manfred Bender
  • Patent number: 5218617
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding iron-bearing particles into a metallurgical furnace such as an electric arc furnace, comprising a vessel for containing a bath of molten iron, having a wall extending above the bath of molten iron, a preferably screw type feeder mounted on the exterior of the vessel, a feeding port in the vessel wall shaped to permit passage of the feeder into the interior of the bath of vessel and located at such a height from the molten iron so that no molten materials will spill out from the furnace through the port during the normal operation and maneuvering of the furnace; and actuating means for extending the screw type feeder from a retracted position out of the vessel to an extended position into the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Hylsa S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Marco A. Herrera-Garcia, Rodolfo A. de la Garza Villarreal
  • Patent number: 5153894
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a smelting plant with shaft-like charging material preheater. In a smelting plant with an electric arc furnace (1) and a charging material preheater (2) of shaft configuration arranged laterally on the furnace, the outer walls of the charging material preheater in the lower region thereof are formed by the vessel wall (5) of the furnace while in the region thereabove they are formed by the walls of a shaft which is fixed in a holding structure (27). By a horizontal relative movement between the furnace vessel (3) and the holding structure (27) together with the vessel cover (6), without being impeded by the shaft (10) charging material can be charged from a scrap basket directly into the furnace vessel or through the displaced shaft into different regions of the furnace vessel (3). Charging material can be retained in the shaft by means of a blocking member (51) therein, and heated up during the refining phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Fuchs Technology AG
    Inventors: Joachim Ehle, Gerhard Fuchs
  • Patent number: 5117438
    Abstract: In a smelting unit comprising an arc furnace and at least one shaft-like charging material preheater which is arranged laterally on the furnace vessel of the arc furnace and the interior of which is connected in a region adjoining its bottom to the interior of the furnace vessel by way of a connecting zone, and in addition burners open in the lower region of the charging material preheater, in a sump mode of operation after the tapping step, of the amount of charging material which is required for the next bath of molten material, a part thereof is charged directly into the furnace vessel in order to reduce the smelting time. That part of the charging material is preheated in a preheating chamber which is connected downstream of the charging material preheater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Fuchs Systemtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Ehle, Gerhard Fuchs
  • Patent number: 5046145
    Abstract: There is disclosed an arc reactor for treating a material in powder form conductive at very high temperatures, the reactor comprising a vertical electrically insulated sleeve cylindrical in shape, an upper electrode coaxially mounted with the sleeve at its upper end, a bottom electrode cooperating with the upper electrode, injectors for injecting a gas tangentially into the sleeve in order to create a vortex inside the same, a feed mechanism for introducing the powder material inside the sleeve near its upper end, so as to form a uniform cylindrical curtain of particles falling down into the sleeve, the particles being centrifugally projected against the internal wall of the sleeve by the vortex and entirely covering the internal wall while they are being simultaneously treated by the arc column, a crucible positioned under the sleeve to collect the treated particles in molten form that drip down from the sleeve, the molten material in use being in conductive contact with the bottom electrode, and a drive sys
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Hydro-Quebec
    Inventor: Michel G. Drouet
  • Patent number: 4995051
    Abstract: The invention relates to a smelting furnace, particularly a D.C. arc furnace, suited for the treatment of finely-divided material, which comprises at least three electrodes suspended through the roof in order to create the electric arc. The process material is fed in through at least one feed gate (30) arranged inside the circle orbit formed by the electrodes (4, 16, 26) suspended through the furnace roof, which feed gate (30) is provided with auxiliary members in order to create an even supply of the material into the furnace. In order to discharge the gases created in the process, there is provided at least one outlet (20) outside the circle orbit formed by the electrodes (4, 16, 26).The invention also relates to a method for feeding finely divided material into the smelting furnace. According to this method, the material is fed through the feed gate (30) in suspension, either vertically or tangentially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Outokumpu Oy
    Inventors: Nils H. Hakulin, Risto M. Heikkila, Matti E. Honkaniemi, Helge J. Krogerus, Launo L. Lilja
  • Patent number: 4870655
    Abstract: An electric arc furnace includes a crucible having a metal shell for recovering precious metals from spent material. The shell includes a metal tap hole and a slag door positioned above and opposite the metal tap hole. A removable swinging roof is provided above the crucible together with a plurality of electrodes for heating the spent material. Also, a cooling band circumscribes the crucible for cooling the metal shell. Conveyors are provided for distributing the spent material at a plurality of points located between the electrodes and the wall of the crucible. The crucible is tilted to allow the removal of the slag and metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Inventor: Vincent C. Ward
  • Patent number: 4866731
    Abstract: An electric furnace includes a furnace vessel covered by a furnace lid liftable and lowerable by a lid lifting mechanism and pivotable from a position above the furnace vessel into a position lateral of the furnace vessel and back by a lid pivoting mechanism. A lid supporting framework is pivotably mounted lateral of the furnace vessel and includes at least one lid bracket extending over the furnace vessel for lifting, lowering and pivoting the furnace lid. In order to be able to pivot the lid bracket without furnace lid and without necessitating manipulations to be carried out at the furnace lid for the purpose of exchanging the lid or the lid core, the lid bracket is detachably connected to the furnace lid by at least one coupling means, with a coupling piece of the coupling means being arranged on the lid bracket and a coupling counter piece of the coupling means being arranged on the furnace lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ernst Zajicek, Ernst Riegler, Hubert Hammerschmid
  • Patent number: 4841542
    Abstract: An electric furnace includes a furnace vessel arranged on a furnace platform and covered by a furnace lid liftable and lowerable by a lid lifting mechanism and pivotable from a position above the furnace vessel into a position lateral of the furnace vessel, and back, by a lid pivoting mechanism. A lid supporting framework pivotably mounted lateral of the furnace vessel and including at least one lid bracket is provided for lifting, lowering and pivoting the furnace lid. In order that the high-current cables are only slightly twisted when pivoting the furnace lid, despite the pivot axis for the furnace lid being arranged as close to the furnace vessel as possible, the lid supporting framework is pivotably connected with the furnace platform by an oscillating crank hinged to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ernst Zajicek, Ernst Riegler, Johann Muhlbauer
  • Patent number: 4763337
    Abstract: In order to melt particulate material in an electric furnace with the help of at least one electric arc burning between a burner electrode arranged in the lid of the furnace and a bottom electrode arranged in the bottom of the furnace, the material is introduced into a space surrounding the electric arc. It is melted by the radiation heat of the electric arc and is collected in a melt bath covering the bottom part of the furnace. In order to attain a high energy exploitation and to prevent the material to be melted from being extracted, a fixed bed of the material to be melted is formed in the space surrounding the electric arc, which takes its root on the bottom part of the furnace and peripherally surrounds the electric arc. The material is melted on the side of the fixed bed facing the electric arc. The fixed bed is moved approximately radially towards the center of the furnace to an extent corresponding to the melted material volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hansjorg Wohlkonig, Heinz Muller, Heinrich Auberger
  • Patent number: 4702461
    Abstract: An electro furnace for metallurgic operations has its top connected to a vertically extending cylinder, into which a charge pipe leads at an oblique angle. A ceramic plug glides in the cylinder in piston like fashion for selective opening and closing the opening from said charge pipe. Any burden and ore mixture will therefore fall freely from the charge pipe whenever the plug is shifted up to open the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventors: Emil Herre, Gerd Herre, Guenter Zimmer, Hermann Cepin
  • Patent number: 4697274
    Abstract: An electric melting furnace arrangement for the continuous melting of spinnable mineral fine-particle or granular materials has a refractorily lined furnace vessel, a plurality of electrodes arranged on a partial circle extending into the furnace vessel from above, conveying devices for the materials to be melted designed as dosing pipes arranged close to the partial circle formed by the electrodes and each provided between two electrodes and a tapping device penetrating a side wall of the furnace vessel. Transporting devices are provided for admitting the dosing pipes, and when the dosing pipes are completely full, the further conveying of the materials to be melted is interruptable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Enkner, Leopold Amon, Alfred Kubelbock, Wolfgang Trimmel, Paul Nalepka, Leopold Schropp, Helmut Schwaighofer, Reinhard Pum, Manfred Traxler, Franz Tasch
  • Patent number: 4694465
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically charging scrap into an arc furnace wherein an inactive position at which a scrap bucket charged with the scrap is normally placed is provided adjacent to the arc furnace; a transport mechanism is provided so that the scrap bucket is moved between said position and the arc furnace; and the scrap bucket is brought to and stopped at a position right above the arc furnace so as to charge immediately the scrap into the arc furnace within a short time and without overflowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: Ishikawajima-Harima Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Nanjo, Fumio Tomizawa
  • Patent number: 4674102
    Abstract: For the purposes of charging an electric arc furnace the cover (3) of the furnace is lifted somewhat and, being held by a cover carrier mechanism (10, 11), pivoted to the side. The cover carrier mechanism (10, 11) is connected to a portal structure (13) which is rotatable about a vertical axis. At the same time horizontal electrode support arms (5, 6, 7), with the electrodes secured to the free ends thereof, are pivoted to the side. The electrode support arms are secured to vertically displaceable lift columns (19, 20, 21). The lift columns are arranged in one plane and have roller guides (15a, 15b; 16a, 16b) which are disposed in two horizontal planes. The rollers of each pair (15a, 15b . . . ) are so inclined that their axes of rotation include an angle of between 90.degree. and 160.degree.. In that way moments about vertical axes upon pivotal movement of the arrangement and in operation of the furnace can be carried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Assignee: Fuchs Systemtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Ehle
  • Patent number: 4662526
    Abstract: A hoisting mechanism for handling the cover of an electric arc furnace comprises a pivotable gantry base and gantry arms connected thereto which extend over the furnace cover. Traverse bars overlay the gantry arms and are connected to the furnace cover by hoisting rods which pass through the gantry arms. Lifting mechanisms preferably in the form of hydraulic piston-cylinder arrangements are secured, on one end, to the gantry arms and, on the other end, to the lower side of the traverse bars. The mechanism is electrically insulated to eliminate deterioration of the equipment and the existence of electrical circuits and, in addition, the hoisting rods and the piston cylinder mechanisms are water-cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans-Ludwig Schaller
  • Patent number: 4653065
    Abstract: A preheating mechanism for use with a duplex electric-arc furnace system is disclosed. The mechanism comprises a car travelling in a direction parallel to the straight line connecting the centers of the two furnaces, and a traversing car that is positioned above said first car and travels in a direction transversal to the direction in which said first car travels, said traversing car being capable of travelling over said first car in said transversal direction until it reaches a position where it overhangs either one of the two furnaces, said traversing car being provided with a raw material preheating combustor and a dust collecting hood in such a manner that each of said combustor and hood can be raised or lowered in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiko Seki, Hiroshi Nakatani, Katsuya Kogumasaka, Seiyu Takao, Isao Arimitsu, Hisanori Fujimori
  • Patent number: 4617672
    Abstract: Electric furnace arrangement including a furnace vessel with liftable and lowerable lid penetrated by at least one electrode. The electrode is fastened to a liftable and lowerable supporting construction by first clamping devices. For lifting the lid, a further clamping device for the electrode is provided on the lid, at least one coupling element is provided on the supporting construction and at least one counter-coupling element is arranged on the lid, which can be brought into and out of engagement with the coupling element. A connecting element can be provided between coupling element and supporting construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Enkner, Leopold Amon, Alfred Kubelbock, Wolfgang Trimmel, Paul Nalepka, Leopold Schropp, Helmut Schwaighofer, Reinhard Pum, Manfred Traxler, Franz Tasch
  • Patent number: 4569057
    Abstract: A feed system for a smelting furnace having a plurality of feed chutes arranged in a spaced apart, circular array. The feed system includes a circular conveyor mounted adjacent the furnace and concentrically with the feed chutes. The conveyor also has a gap therein which permits the discharge of material downwardly into the feed chutes and means for rotating the conveyor about its axis of curvature to sequentially position the gap above successive feed chutes. In addition, one or more feed hoppers are positioned above the conveyor for depositing feed materials thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: Pennsylvania Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Dominic Evangelista, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4537551
    Abstract: In charging electrothermic smelting furnaces the charge is fed batchwise to the furnace pot through annular charging units arranged more or less concentrically around each electrode. The charge is supplied to each annular charging unit which surrounds each electrode and consists of a rotatable chamber which comprises at least one bottom member and two substantially vertical side walls. The bottom member and the walls are rotated together for supply of charge to the chamber, then the bottom of the chamber is rotated separately from the walls whereby the charge contained between the walls of the chamber is allowed to fall into the furnace pot through at least one closable opening in said bottom member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Elkem a/s
    Inventor: Harald Krogsrud
  • Patent number: 4476564
    Abstract: Arc furnace has a furnace shell, a furnace lid with lid ring and a lid lifting and swivelling means as well as a lid opening in the furnace lid for exhausting the flue gas from the interior of the furnace and a flue gas exhaust nozzle for removing the flue gases above the lid opening, the nozzle being supported on the furnace lid ring. By means of this design feature as well as a guide arrangement and a locking means the flue gas exhaust nozzle can be completely integrated into the operating steps of the arc furnace in a simple and economical fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Assignee: BBC Brown, Boveri & Company, Limited
    Inventor: Karl Buhler