Patents by Inventor Tapio Ahokainen

Tapio Ahokainen 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: 10852065
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling suspension in a suspension smelting furnace. The method comprises feeding additionally to pulverous solid matter and additionally to reaction gas reducing agent into the suspension smelting furnace, wherein reducing agent is fed in the form of a concentrated stream of reducing agent through the suspension in the reaction shaft onto the surface of the melt to form a reducing zone containing reducing agent within the collection zone of the melt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Outotec (Finland) Oy
    Inventors: Markku Lahtinen, Lauri P. Pesonen, Tapio Ahokainen, Peter Bjorklund
  • Patent number: 10451350
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an arrangement for feeding fine-grained matter to a concentrate or matte burner (1) of a suspension smelting furnace (2). The arrangement comprising a fluidization arrangement (3) for feeding fluidized fine-grained matter into a dosing bin (4), and a conveyor means (6) for feeding fluidized fine-grained matter from the dosing bin (4) to the concentrate or matte burner (1) of the suspension smelting furnace (2), and a loss-in-weight controller (5) between the dosing bin (4) and the conveyor means (6). The arrangement comprises an impact cone (8) arranged below a filling valve (7) between the fluidization arrangement (3) and the dosing bin (4) for distributing fluidized fine-grained matter flowing from the fluidization arrangement (3) within the dosing bin (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Outotec (Finland) Oy
    Inventors: Markku Lahtinen, Tapio Ahokainen, Peter Björklund
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10151535
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for feeding fine-grained matter to a concentrate or matte burner (1) of a suspension smelting furnace (2). The arrangement includes a screw conveyor (3) comprising a tube means (4) having an inlet opening (6), an downward-facing outlet opening (7), and a helical screw (8) for moving fine-grained matter from the inlet opening (6) to the downward-facing outlet opening (7). The downward-facing outlet opening (7) is provided with a distribution means (10). The distribution means (10) has a free end (11) configured for feeding fine-grained matter into the downward-facing outlet opening (7). The helical screw (8) of the screw conveyor (3) extends from the direction of the inlet opening (6) at least partly over the downward-facing outlet opening (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Outotec (Finland) Oy
    Inventors: Peter Björklund, Tapio Ahokainen
  • Publication number: 20180209741
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an arrangement for feeding fine-grained matter to a concentrate or matte burner (1) of a suspension smelting furnace (2). The arrangement comprising a fluidization arrangement (3) for feeding fluidized fine-grained matter into a dosing bin (4), and a conveyor means (6) for feeding fluidized fine-grained matter from the dosing bin (4) to the concentrate or matte burner (1) of the suspension smelting furnace (2), and a loss-in-weight controller (5) between the dosing bin (4) and the conveyor means (6). The arrangement comprises an impact cone (8) arranged below a filling valve (7) between the fluidization arrangement (3) and the dosing bin (4) for distributing fluidized fine-grained matter flowing from the fluidization arrangement (3) within the dosing bin (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: Outotec (Finland) Oy
    Inventors: Markku Lahtinen, Tapio Ahokainen, Peter Björklund
  • Patent number: 10006718
    Abstract: An arrangement for feeding fine-grained matter to a concentrate or matte burner (1) of a suspension smelting furnace (2). The arrangement comprising a fluidization arrangement (3) for feeding fluidized fine-grained matter into a dosing bin (4), and a conveyor means (6) for feeding fluidized fine-grained matter from the dosing bin (4) to the concentrate or matte burner (1) of the suspension smelting furnace (2), and a loss-in-weight controller (5) between the dosing bin (4) and the conveyor means (6). The arrangement comprises an impact cone (8) arranged below a filling valve (7) between the fluidization arrangement (3) and the dosing bin (4) for distributing fluidized fine-grained matter flowing from the fluidization arrangement (3) within the dosing bin (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Outotec (Finland) Oy
    Inventors: Markku Lahtinen, Tapio Ahokainen, Peter Björklund
  • Publication number: 20180156541
    Abstract: Provided is a burner such as a concentrate burner or a matte burner for feeding reaction gas and fine solids into a reaction shaft of a suspension smelting furnace. The burner comprises an annular fine solids discharge channel that is radially limited at the outside by a first annular wall and that is radially limited at the inside by a second annular wall. The annular fine solids discharge channel is configured to receive fine solids from a fine solids feeding arrangement and to create an annular flow of fine solids in the annular fine solids discharge channel. The annular fine solids discharge channel being provided with spreading means configured to be hit by the annular flow of fine solids and configured to even out particle distribution in the annular flow of fine solids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Elli MIETTINEN, Sarianna SUOMINEN, Lauri P. PESONEN, Aki LAANINEN, Tapio AHOKAINEN, Kaj EKLUND, Markku LAHTINEN, Peter BJÖRKLUND
  • Patent number: 9957586
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of using a suspension smelting furnace and to a suspension smelting furnace and to a concentrate burner (4). The concentrate burner (4) comprises a first gas supply device (12) for feeding a first gas (5) into the reaction shaft (2) and a second gas supply device (18) for feeding a second gas (16) into the reaction shaft (2). The first gas supply device (12) comprises a first annular discharge opening (14), which which is arranged concentrically with the mouth (8) of a feeder pipe (7), so that the first annular discharge opening (14) surrounds the feeder pipe (7). The second gas supply device (18) comprises a second annular discharge opening (17), which is arranged concentrically with the mouth (8) of the feeder pipe (7), so that the second annular discharge opening (17) surrounds the feeder pipe (7) opening (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Jussi Sipilä, Markku Lahtinen, Peter Björklund, Kaarle Peltoniemi, Tapio Ahokainen, Lauri P. Pesonen, Kaj Eklund
  • Patent number: 9869515
    Abstract: The invention relates to a suspension smelting furnace comprising a reaction shaft (1), an uptake shaft (2), and a lower furnace (3), as well as a concentrate burner (4) for feeding reaction gas and fine solids into the reaction shaft (1) of the suspension smelting furnace. The concentrate burner (4) comprises a fine solids discharge channel (5) that is radially limited by the wall (6) of the solids discharge channel, a fine solids dispersion device (7) in the fine solids discharge channel (5), an annular reaction gas channel (8) that surrounds the fine solids discharge channel (5) and is radially limited by the wall (9) of the annular reaction gas channel (8), and a cooling block (10) that surrounds the annular reaction gas channel (8). The cooling block (10) is a component that is manufactured by a continuous casting method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Peter Björklund, Kaarle Peltoniemi, Mikael Jåfs, Tapio Ahokainen, Kari Pienimäki, Lauri P. Pesonen
  • Patent number: 9851150
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an arrangement for feeding fine-grained matter to a concentrate burner (1) or a matte burner of a suspension smelting furnace (2). The invention relates also to a controlling means for controlling feeding of fine-grained matter to a concentrate burner (1) or a matte burner of a suspension smelting furnace (2) in an arrangement for feeding fine-grained matter to a concentrate burner (1) or a matte burner of a suspension smelting furnace (2). The invention relates also to controlling means for controlling feeding of fine-grained matter to a concentrate burner (1) or a matte burner of a suspension smelting furnace (2) in an arrangement for feeding fine-grained matter to a concentrate burner (1) or a matte burner of a suspension smelting furnace (2) and to a computer program product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Outotec (Finland) Oy
    Inventors: Peter Björklund, Tapio Ahokainen, Markku Ylönen
  • Publication number: 20170248368
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling suspension in a suspension smelting furnace, to a suspension smelting furnace, and to a concentrate burner. The method comprises feeding additionally to pulverous solid matter and additionally to reaction gas reducing agent into the suspension smelting furnace, wherein reducing agent is fed in the form of a concentrated stream of reducing agent through the suspension in the reaction shaft onto the surface of the melt to form a reducing zone containing reducing agent within the collection zone of the melt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: Outotec (Finland) Oy
    Inventors: Markku Lahtinen, Lauri P. Pesonen, Tapio Ahokainen, Peter Bjorklund
  • Patent number: 9677815
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling suspension (8) in a suspension smelting furnace (1), to a suspension smelting furnace, and to a concentrate burner (2). The method comprises feeding additionally to pulverous solid matter (6) and additionally to reaction gas (7) reducing agent (13) into the suspension smelting furnace (1), wherein reducing agent (13) is fed in the form of a concentrated stream of reducing agent (13) through the suspension (8) in the reaction shaft (2) onto the surface (9) of the melt (10) to form a reducing zone (15) containing reducing agent (13) within the collection zone (14) of the melt (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Markku Lahtinen, Lauri P. Pesonen, Tapio Ahokainen, Peter Bjorklund
  • Patent number: 9580771
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an arrangement for refining copper concentrate. The arrangement includes a suspension smelting furnace comprising a reaction shaft, and a settler. The reaction shaft is provided with a concentrate burner for feeding copper concentrate such as copper sulfide concentrate and/or copper matte and additionally at least reaction gas into the reaction shaft to obtain a blister layer containing blister and a first slag layer containing slag on top of the blister layer in the settler, and a slag cleaning furnace. The arrangement includes a feeder configured for feeding blister from the blister layer in the settler and for feeding slag from the first slag layer in the settler into the slag cleaning furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Outotec (Finland) Oy
    Inventors: Tapio Ahokainen, Peter Björklund, Tuomo Jokinen, Harri Rannikko, Maija Metsärinta, Markku Lahtinen
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20160223187
    Abstract: Provided are a method and an arrangement for treating process gas flowing from a furnace space of a pyrometallurgical furnace into a waste heat boiler that is in fluid communication with the furnace space of the pyrometallurgical furnace at a connecting aperture. The method comprises providing the region of the connecting aperture between the furnace space of the pyrometallurgical furnace and the waste heat boiler with a gas blowing means for blowing gas into process gas flowing from the furnace space of the pyrometallurgical furnace into the waste heat boiler, and blowing gas with the gas blowing means into process gas flowing from the furnace space of the pyrometallurgical furnace into the waste heat boiler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Kari PIENIMAKI, Tapio AHOKAINEN, Eero HUGG, Elli MIETTINEN, Mikael JAFS
  • Patent number: 9347710
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the thermal balance of a suspension smelting and to a suspension smelting furnace. The suspension smelting furnace, comprising a reaction shaft (1), a lower furnace (2), and an uptake (3), wherein the reaction shaft (1) having a shaft structure (4) that is provided with a surrounding wall structure (5) and a roof structure (6) and that limits a reaction chamber (7), and wherein the reaction shaft (1) is provided with a concentrate burner (14) for feeding pulverous solid matter and reaction gas into the reaction chamber (7). The shaft structure (4) of the reaction shaft (1) is provided with cooling means (8) for feeding endothermic material into the reaction chamber (7) of the reaction shaft (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Jorma Myyri, Tapio Ahokainen, Lauri P. Pesonen, Peter Björklund
  • Publication number: 20150233644
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for feeding fine-grained matter to a concentrate or matte burner (1) of a suspension smelting furnace (2). The arrangement includes a screw conveyor (3) comprising a tube means (4) having an inlet opening (6), an downward-facing outlet opening (7), and a helical screw (8) for moving fine-grained matter from the inlet opening (6) to the downward-facing outlet opening (7). The downward-facing outlet opening (7) is provided with a distribution means (10). The distribution means (10) has a free end (11) configured for feeding fine-grained matter into the downward-facing outlet opening (7). The helical screw (8) of the screw conveyor (3) extends from the direction of the inlet opening (6) at least partly over the downward-facing outlet opening (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: Outotec (Finland) Oy
    Inventors: Peter Björklund, Tapio Ahokainen
  • Publication number: 20150233643
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an arrangement for feeding fine-grained matter to a concentrate or matte burner (1) of a suspension smelting furnace (2). The arrangement comprising a fluidization arrangement (3) for feeding fluidized fine-grained matter into a dosing bin (4), and a conveyor means (6) for feeding fluidized fine-grained matter from the dosing bin (4) to the concentrate or matte burner (1) of the suspension smelting furnace (2), and a loss-in-weight controller (5) between the dosing bin (4) and the conveyor means (6). The arrangement comprises an impact cone (8) arranged below a filling valve (7) between the fluidization arrangement (3) and the dosing bin (4) for distributing fluidized fine-grained matter flowing from the fluidization arrangement (3) within the dosing bin (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: Outotec (Finland) Oy
    Inventors: Markku Lahtinen, Tapio Ahokainen, Peter Björklund
  • Publication number: 20150211798
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an arrangement for feeding fine-grained matter to a concentrate burner (1) or a matte burner of a suspension smelting furnace (2). The invention relates also to a controlling means for controlling feeding of fine-grained matter to a concentrate burner (1) or a matte burner of a suspension smelting furnace (2) in an arrangement for feeding fine-grained matter to a concentrate burner (1) or a matte burner of a suspension smelting furnace (2). The invention relates also to controlling means for controlling feeding of fine-grained matter to a concentrate burner (1) or a matte burner of a suspension smelting furnace (2) in an arrangement for feeding fine-grained matter to a concentrate burner (1) or a matte burner of a suspension smelting furnace (2) and to a computer program product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: Outotec (Finland) Oy
    Inventors: Peter Björklund, Tapio Ahokainen, Markku Ylönen
  • Publication number: 20150197828
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of using a suspension smelting furnace and to a suspension smelting furnace and to a concentrate burner (4). The concentrate burner (4) comprises a first gas supply device (12) for feeding a first gas (5) into the reaction shaft (2) and a second gas supply device (18) for feeding a second gas (16) into the reaction shaft (2). The first gas supply device (12) comprises a first annular discharge opening (14), which which is arranged concentrically with the mouth (8) of a feeder pipe (7), so that the first annular discharge opening (14) surrounds the feeder pipe (7). The second gas supply device (18) comprises a second annular discharge opening (17), which is arranged concentrically with the mouth (8) of the feeder pipe (7), so that the second annular discharge opening (17) surrounds the feeder pipe (7) opening (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventors: Jussi SIPILÄ, Markku LAHTINEN, Peter BJÖRKLUND, Kaarle PELTONIEMI, Tapio AHOKAINEN, Lauri P. PESONEN, Kaj EKLUND