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

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

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

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

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

Abstract: A blast furnace charging system for feeding charge material into the hearth of a blast furnace includes at least two hoppers for temporarily storing charge material, each hopper having a discharge assembly for feeding the charge material from the respective hopper into the hearth of a blast furnace, the discharge assembly including an inclined discharge channel having, at its lower end, a material gate providing charge material flow control at the lower end of the discharge channel; and a protection ring arranged in the vicinity of the material gate for leading charge material from the discharge channel to a seal seat of the discharge assembly, where the discharge assembly further includes a heated panel arranged on the protection ring, the heated panel being formed by a panel-like copper body having fluid channels arranged therein so as to form a channel leading from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet.

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

Abstract: The invention concerns a charging installation for a shaft furnace, in particular for a blast furnace, and especially the lower sealing valve assembly thereof, the installation including at least two hoppers acting as lock hoppers for intermediate storage of charge material to be charged into the furnace, the lower sealing valve includes a lower sealing valve housing arranged below the hoppers, the lower sealing valve housing has at least two inlets respectively communicating with one of the hoppers and an outlet for passing charge material into the furnace, each inlet has a respective associated valve seat providing gas-tight sealing of the hoppers downstream, the lower sealing valve assembly further includes a sealing valve mechanism for sealing the inlets, more specifically for closing the seats in technically gas-tight manner, where the sealing valve mechanism includes a one-sided shutter having a single sealing face that cooperates with both of the at least two valve seats, by virtue of the sealing valve

Abstract: A charging device for a shaft furnace comprises a distribution chute for bulk material and a drive mechanism for the distribution chute. The distribution chute has a trough-shaped main part with an open impact section and an outlet section. The main part provides a sliding channel between the impact section and the outlet section. The drive mechanism for the distribution chute is capable of rotating the distribution chute about an essentially vertical axis and pivoting the distribution chute about an essentially horizontal axis so as to allow distribution of bulk material on a charging surface of the shaft furnace. According to the present invention, the distribution chute comprises a circumferentially closed funnel portion which tapers in the direction of flow and is arranged downstream of the impact section and with its outlet at the downstream end of said trough-shaped main part.

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

Abstract: A method for calibrating a weighing system of a blast furnace top hopper and a corresponding weighing system are disclosed. The method comprises the step of using at least one actuator for exerting a vertical net force with a certain magnitude onto the hopper, so as to simulate a certain weight of charge material in the hopper; and the step of determining the magnitude of the vertical net force. According to the invention, the method further comprises the step of determining the magnitude of a pressure exerting a lifting force onto said hopper and the step of using the determined magnitude of the vertical net force and the determined magnitude of the pressure to establish calibration data for the weighing system.

Abstract: A rotary charging device (10) for a shaft furnace commonly comprises a rotary distribution means (12) for distributing charge material on a charging surface in the shaft furnace. A rotatable structure supports (16) the rotary distribution means and a stationary support (18) rotatably supports the rotatable structure. According to the invention, the charging device (10) is equipped with an inductive coupling device (30) including a stationary inductor (34) fixed to the stationary support and a rotary inductor (36) fixed to the rotatable structure. The stationary inductor (34) and the rotary inductor (36) are separated by a radial gap and configured as rotary transformer for achieving contact-less electric energy transfer from the stationary support (18) to the rotatable structure (16) by means of magnetic coupling trough the radial gap for powering an electric load arranged on the rotatable structure (16) and connected to said rotary inductor (36).

Abstract: A device for distributing loose materials, arranged in a curtain of loose material tipped out from a means of conveying loose material includes a box with a top opening, at least one wall which extends transverse to the curtain of material inside the box to subdivide the box into at least two compartments, and at least two tipping-out means, one of the tipping-out means being associated with each of the compartments of the box, the tipping-out means being directed in such a way as to deflect the material received in the respective compartments into a distinct region of the hopper. The method for loading a hopper includes tipping loose material out in the form of a curtain of material over the hopper and splitting the curtain into at least two partial streams so as to deflect each of the partial streams towards a distinct region of the hopper.

Abstract: A charging device (10; 10?; 10?) for a shaft furnace comprises a distribution chute (20; 20?; 20?; 20??), which is supported rotatable about an essentially vertical axis of rotation (A), and a variable-speed drive (26) connected to the distribution chute. The variable-speed drive is configured to rotate the distribution chute for circumferential distribution of bulk material on a charging surface of the shaft furnace. According to the invention, the distribution chute comprises multiple chute sections (32, 34, 36, 38) that are interlinked by articulations so as to be capable of forming a curved channel for radial distribution of bulk material on the charging surface, the degree of curvature of said channel being variable in function of the speed of rotation (?) of the distribution chute.

Abstract: A charging device for a shaft furnace comprises a distribution chute for bulk material and a drive mechanism for the distribution chute. The distribution chute has a trough-shaped main part with an open impact section and an outlet section. The main part provides a sliding channel between the impact section and the outlet section. The drive mechanism for the distribution chute is capable of rotating the distribution chute about an essentially vertical axis and pivoting the distribution chute about an essentially horizontal axis so as to allow distribution of bulk material on a charging surface of the shaft furnace. According to the present invention, the distribution chute comprises a circumferentially closed funnel portion which tapers in the direction of flow and is arranged downstream of the impact section and with its outlet at the downstream end of said trough-shaped main part.

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

Abstract: A three hopper charging installation for a shaft furnace includes a rotary distribution device for distributing bulk material in the furnace by rotating a distribution member about the furnace central axis and a first, a second and a third hopper arranged in parallel above the rotary distribution device and offset from the central axis. A sealing valve housing is arranged between the hoppers and the distribution device. It has a top part with a first, a second and a third inlet respectively communicating with the first, the second and the third hopper. A first, a second and a third sealing valve are provided in the top part. Each sealing valve includes a flap which is pivotable between a closed sealing position and an open parking position. The sealing valve housing also has a funnel shaped bottom part with an outlet communicating with the distribution device.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a weighing system of a blast furnace top hopper and a corresponding weighing system are disclosed. The method comprises the step of using at least one actuator for exerting a vertical net force with a certain magnitude onto the hopper, so as to simulate a certain weight of charge material in the hopper; and the step of determining the magnitude of the vertical net force. According to the invention, the method further comprises the step of determining the magnitude of a pressure exerting a lifting force onto said hopper and the step of using the determined magnitude of the vertical net force and the determined magnitude of the pressure to establish calibration data for the weighing system.

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

Abstract: A charging device for charging a shaft furnace, including a rotary distributor and a variable drive for rotating the rotary distributor about an essentially vertical axis of rotation, where the rotary distributor includes a plurality of guiding members which form sliding channels for charge material, and where the rotary distributor comprises a junction slide from which each guiding member issues and which is arranged such that a flow of charge material slides via one specific guiding member in function of the velocity and/or the sense of rotation of the rotary distributor.