Patents by Inventor Risto Saarinen

Risto Saarinen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10203158
    Abstract: Provided are a method and an arrangement for feeding process gases from a suspension smelting furnace into a waste heat boiler. The arrangement comprises a feeding throat for feeding process gas. The feeding throat is connected to an uptake inner space at an exit. The feeding throat is connected to the waste heat boiler at an entrance. The feeding throat having a feeding channel comprising a channel inner roof. At least one of an uptake inner roof of the uptake of the suspension smelting furnace and the channel inner roof of the feeding channel of the feeding throat is provided with an angled and/or curved section that slopes at least partly downwardly in an angled and/or curved manner in the direction towards the entrance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Jiliang Xia, Tapio Ahokainen, Risto Saarinen
  • Publication number: 20160252305
    Abstract: Provided are a method and an arrangement for feeding process gases from a suspension smelting furnace into a waste heat boiler. The arrangement comprises a feeding throat for feeding process gas. The feeding throat is connected to an uptake inner space at an exit. The feeding throat is connected to the waste heat boiler at an entrance. The feeding throat having a feeding channel comprising a channel inner roof. At least one of an uptake inner roof of the uptake of the suspension smelting furnace and the channel inner roof of the feeding channel of the feeding throat is provided with an angled and/or curved section that slopes at least partly downwardly in an angled and/or curved manner in the direction towards the entrance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Jiliang XIA, Tapio AHOKAINEN, Risto SAARINEN
  • Patent number: 9322552
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating solids-containing process gas in a suspension smelting furnace, comprising directing the process gas from the reaction shaft of the suspension smelting furnace to a lower furnace and, further, through a raised shaft to a waste heat boiler to cool the process gas, whereby, through one or more gas nozzles placed on the lower furnace top wall, oxidizing gas is fed into the process gas flowing in the lower furnace, whereby the amount of oxidizing gas is adjusted during the process so that the amount of sulphides contained in the solid matter of the process gas that is directed to the waste heat boiler is minimized. The invention also relates to the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventor: Risto Saarinen
  • Patent number: 8837552
    Abstract: A sealing device is arranged around a rod electrode extending vertically through an aperture made in the ceiling of an arc furnace and being vertically movable inside the furnace to prevent the access of gases from the furnace through the aperture to the atmosphere, and on the other hand to prevent air from flowing from the atmosphere into the furnace. The sealing device comprises a gas distribution chamber provided with an inlet channel for feeding essentially passive gas, such as nitrogen or air, into the gas distribution chamber. The sealing device also includes a slit nozzle encasing the electrode, through which nozzle a gas jet is arranged to be discharged from the gas distribution chamber towards the electrode in a direction that is at an angle with respect to the horizontal plane and has a slightly upwards inclined orientation, and that is, with respect to the furnace interior, pointed outwardly, so that the sealing is carried out owing to the effect of the created stagnation pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Jiliang Xia, Tapio Ahokainen, Risto Saarinen
  • Patent number: 8568022
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and arrangement for measuring at least one physical magnitude, such as temperature, flow or pressure of the cooling fluid flowing in an individual cooling element cycle (3) of a cooling element (1) in a metallurgical furnace. The arrangement includes a supply header (2) for distributing the cooling fluid and for feeding it to the cooling element cycles (3) of the cooling elements (1), and a collection header (4) for collecting and receiving cooling fluid from the cooling element cycles (3) of the cooling elements (1). The arrangement includes a survey line (5) that is by intermediation of a valve arrangement (6) in fluid connection with at least one cooling element cycle (3), so that the cooling fluid is conducted alternatively through the survey line (5) to the collection header (4) or past the survey line (5) to the collection header (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Risto Saarinen, Lauri Pesonen
  • Patent number: 8480947
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cooling element for a metallurgical furnace, wherein there is arranged a frame element mainly made of copper and provided with water cooling channels; in the frame element, there are arranged fastening elements for connecting refractory bricks to the frame element; and refractory bricks are connected to the frame element by using fastening elements; and wherein the fastening elements are at least partly formed of elongate steel fastening strips; the method comprising fastening the elongate fastening steel strips to the frame element so that the elongate fastening steel strips together form in between them an open interspace, which is narrowed in a direction pointed away from the bottom of the open interspace; and arranging refractory bricks in the open interspace so that the refractory bricks are located at least partly in the open interspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Risto Saarinen, Eero Hugg, Mikael Jafs
  • Patent number: 8377513
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coating a cooling element (1) mainly made of copper, provided with water cooling pipes (2) and used particularly in connection with metallurgic furnaces or the like, wherein the cooling element includes a fire surface (3) that is in contact with molten metal, suspension or process gas; side surfaces (6) and an outer surface (7), so that at least part of the fire surface (3) is coated by a corrosion resistant coating (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Risto Saarinen, Yrjö Leppänen
  • Patent number: 8038930
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling element to be used in the structure of a pyromettalurgical reactor used in the manufacturing of metals, which cooling element comprises a housing element mainly made of copper, provided with a channel system for the cooling medium circulation, made of pipe that is mainly made of copper; on the outer surface of the pipes forming the channel system, there is arranged a coating that has a lower melting point than the material of the housing element and the pipe. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the cooling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Kai Seppälä, Jyrki Koitto, Risto Saarinen
  • Publication number: 20110108235
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cooling element for a metallurgical furnace, wherein there is arranged a frame element mainly made of copper and provided with water cooling channels; in the frame element, there are arranged fastening elements for connecting refractory bricks to the frame element; and refractory bricks are connected to the frame element by using fastening elements; and wherein the fastening elements are at least partly formed of elongate steel fastening strips; the method comprising fastening the elongate fastening steel strips to the frame element so that the elongate fastening steel strips together form in between them an open interspace, which is narrowed in a direction pointed away from the bottom of the open interspace; and arranging refractory bricks in the open interspace so that the refractory bricks are located at least partly in the open interspace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Risto Saarinen, Eero Hugg, Mikael Jafs
  • Publication number: 20110090934
    Abstract: A sealing device is arranged around a rod electrode extending vertically through an aperture made in the ceiling of an arc furnace and being vertically movable inside the furnace to prevent the access of gases from the furnace through the aperture to the atmosphere, and on the other hand to prevent air from flowing from the atmosphere into the furnace. The sealing device comprises a gas distribution chamber provided with an inlet channel for feeding essentially passive gas, such as nitrogen or air, into the gas distribution chamber. The sealing device also includes a slit nozzle encasing the electrode, through which nozzle a gas jet is arranged to be discharged from the gas distribution chamber towards the electrode in a direction that is at an angle with respect to the horizontal plane and has a slightly upwards inclined orientation, and that is, with respect to the furnace interior, pointed outwardly, so that the sealing is carried out owing to the effect of the created stagnation pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Jiliang Xia, Tapio Ahokainen, Risto Saarinen
  • Publication number: 20100329300
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and arrangement for measuring at least one physical magnitude, such as temperature, flow or pressure of the cooling fluid flowing in an individual cooling element cycle (3) of a cooling element (1) in a metallurgical furnace. The arrangement includes a supply header (2) for distributing the cooling fluid and for feeding it to the cooling element cycles (3) of the cooling elements (1), and a collection header (4) for collecting and receiving cooling fluid from the cooling element cycles (3) of the cooling elements (1). The arrangement includes a survey line (5) that is by intermediation of a valve arrangement (6) in fluid connection with at least one cooling element cycle (3), so that the cooling fluid is conducted alternatively through the survey line (5) to the collection header (4) or past the survey line (5) to the collection header (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventors: Risto Saarinen, Lauri Pesonen
  • Publication number: 20100012501
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coating a cooling element (1) mainly made of copper, provided with water cooling pipes (2) and used particularly in connection with metallurgic furnaces or the like, wherein the cooling element includes a fire surface (3) that is in contact with molten metal, suspension or process gas; side surfaces (6) and an outer surface (7), so that at least part of the fire surface (3) is coated by a corrosion resistant coating (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventors: Risto Saarinen, Yrjö Leppänen
  • Publication number: 20090126530
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating solids-containing process gas in a suspension smelting furnace, comprising directing the process gas from the reaction shaft of the suspension smelting furnace to a lower furnace and, further, through a raised shaft to a waste heat boiler to cool the process gas, whereby, through one or more gas nozzles placed on the lower furnace top wall, oxidizing gas is fed into the process gas flowing in the lower furnace, whereby the amount of oxidizing gas is adjusted during the process so that the amount of sulphides contained in the solid matter of the process gas that is directed to the waste heat boiler is minimized. The invention also relates to the equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventor: Risto Saarinen
  • Patent number: 7465422
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a cooling element (1) to be used in the structure of a furnace used in metal processes, such as a flash smelting furnace, a blast furnace, an electric furnace or other metallurgical reactor, the cooling element having a copper housing (2) made of one single piece, in which housing there is formed a channel system (3) for the circulation of the cooling medium, lining elements (4) made of fireproof material, the housing and lining element including means for connecting them together, and the lining element (4) and the housing (2) are connected so that the lining element (4) can move in the vertical direction with respect to the housing (2). Also disclosed is a cooling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Outotec Oyi
    Inventors: Risto Saarinen, Eero Hugg, Kai Seppälä
  • Publication number: 20080272525
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling element to be used in the structure of a pyromettalurgical reactor used in the manufacturing of metals, which cooling element comprises a housing element mainly made of copper, provided with a channel system for the cooling medium circulation, made of pipe that is mainly made of copper; on the outer surface of the pipes forming the channel system, there is arranged a coating that has a lower melting point than the material of the housing element and the pipe. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the cooling element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2006
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventors: Kai Seppala, Jyrki Koitto, Risto Saarinen
  • Patent number: 7393496
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for increasing the capacity of a waste-heat boiler (1) processing gases obtained from a metallurgic smelting furnace, such as a flash smelting furnace, and for reducing dust accretions, where liquid is added into the waste-heat boiler (1) of the smelting furnace. The invention also relates to an apparatus for increasing the capacity of a waste-heat boiler (1) processing gases obtained from a metallurgic smelting furnace, such as a flash smelting furnace, and for reducing dust accretions, in which case the waste-heat boiler is provided with at least one nozzle (2) for adding liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Risto Saarinen, Ilkka Kojo
  • Patent number: 7273510
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement (1, 12, 16) for continuously tapping a molten phase, such as matte, from a smelting furnace, such as a flash smelting furnace, said arrangement comprising a matte tapping hole (5) provided in the furnace wall for discharging the molten phase from the furnace, an overflow tank (6) for receiving the molten phase (4), and an overflow edge (8) provided in the overflow tank for discharging the molten phase, so that in the smelting furnace, in the vicinity of the matte tapping hole (5), there can be arranged at least one heat-producing element (9, 15) in order to prevent the molten phase from being solidified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Outokumpu Oyj
    Inventor: Risto Saarinen
  • Publication number: 20060049554
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a cooling element (1) to be used in the structure of a furnace used in metal processes, such as a flash smelting furnace, a blast furnace, an electric furnace or other metallurgical reactor, said cooling element comprising a copper housing (2) made of one single piece, in which housing there is formed a channel system (3) for the circulation of the cooling medium, lining elements (4) made of fireproof material, said housing and lining element including means for connecting them together, and the lining element (4) and the housing (2) are connected so that the lining element (4) can move in the vertical direction with respect to the housing (2). The invention also relates to a cooling element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Applicant: OUTOKUMPU OYJ
    Inventors: Risto Saarinen, Eero Hugg, Kai Seppala
  • Publication number: 20060037435
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating slag created in the production of blister copper processed directly from concentrate in a suspension smelting furnace, such as a flash smelting furnace, in order to recover the copper, so that at least part of the slag is leached in at least one step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Pekka Hanniala, Ilkka Kojo, Risto Saarinen
  • Publication number: 20050280191
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for increasing the capacity of a waste-heat boiler (1) processing gases obtained from a metallurgic smelting furnace, such as a flash smelting furnace, and for reducing dust accretions, where liquid is added into the waste-heat boiler (1) of the smelting furnace. The invention also relates to an apparatus for increasing the capacity of a waste-heat boiler (1) processing gases obtained from a metallurgic smelting furnace, such as a flash smelting furnace, and for reducing dust accretions, in which case the waste-heat boiler is provided with at least one nozzle (2) for adding liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Risto Saarinen, Ilkka Kojo