AU2006225192B2

AU2006225192B2 - Contact plate for electrometallurgical furnace electrode and method for fabricating this plate

Info

Publication number: AU2006225192B2
Application number: AU2006225192A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Christian Roche
Original assignee: Fai Production SAS
Current assignee: Fai Production SAS
Priority date: 2005-10-10
Filing date: 2006-10-02
Publication date: 2011-07-21
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-02
Also published as: AU2006225192A1; ZA200608410B; FR2891981B1; CN1949942B; FR2891981A1; CN1949942A; BRPI0604460A; EA200601653A1; EA009005B1; NO343580B1; NO20064608L; BRPI0604460B1

Abstract

Contact plate for electrometallurgical furnace electrode and method for fabricating this plate Vertical contact plate designed to be placed in contact with the wall of a vertical electrode of an electrometallurgical furnace, provided with means for removing heat by using a cooling fluid, which comprise at least one inner manifold channel (59) having at least one inlet and at least one outlet which can be connected, respectively, to at least one external fluid supply pipe and to at least one external fluid discharge pipe, a multiplicity of secondary inner channels or wells (61) opening into the said inner manifold channel, and heat transfer means (30) extending in the said secondary channels and coupled thermally to the fluid circulating in the inner manifold channel. Reference: Figure 3. 58 21 22 47 45 53 50 52 49 26 46 23 28 12 55 - 57 25 - --- 27 34 - 3 35-- 37 24- -- 33 -59 -- -32 30 --- 29- ----- 13- 64 16 -- 39 --- 43 40 11 31 41 17 42

Description

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION NAME OF APPLICANT(S):: FAI Production ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys I Nicholson Street, Melbourne, 3000, Australia INVENTION TITLE: Contact plate for electrometallurgical furnace electrode and method for fabricating this plate The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5102 - la The present invention relates to the field of 5 electrometallurgical furnaces in which the vertical, and generally cylindrical, electrodes are surrounded by an electrical connection device which generally comprises a ring of contact plates in contact with the electrode wall, a retaining ring consisting of segments 10 surrounding the ring of plates, and radial jacks interposed between the plates and the retaining segments. At the present time, each of the plates has a 15 continuous inner channel, and the openings of these channels formed on the upper faces of the plates are connected to external pipes emerging from an installation for circulating a cooling fluid such as water, in such a way that this fluid is made to 20 circulate in the said channels, from one end to the other, and cool the plates. Arrangements of this kind are described in documents FR-A-2,846,1 87 and

EP-A

0,029,416. 25 This channel is made, for example, by drilling the plate, and generally comprises a horizontal connecting branch, formed in the lower part of the plate and produced by the horizontal drilling of a blind hole or a through hole from a radial side of the plate, 30 followed by the closure of its end or ends by one or more plugs which are inserted or welded or screwed and bonded. It has been found that the presence of the above plugs, 35 located in the hottest lower part of the plate, constitutes a weak point and creates a hazard in case of unsealing of a plug, since in this case the cooling fluid is discharged into the bath and can cause the bath to explode as a result of the sudden evaporation C:\NRPonbhDCCXAZNf\3729155_ .DOC-7/5/2011 -2 of the cooling fluid, such as water. Furthermore, since the heat is mainly absorbed in the peripheral areas of the plate, the central part of the plate tends to be the hottest. and this has a negative effect on the flow of current and the baking of the electrode paste. 5 In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the cooling means of the said contact plates is improved. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a vertical contact plate designed to be placed in contact with the wall of a vertical electrode of an 10 electrometallurgical furnace, comprising means for removing heat by using a cooling fluid, which comprises: at least one inner manifold channel having at least one inlet and at least one outlet which can be connected, respectively, to at least one external fluid supply pipe and to at least one external fluid discharge pipe; 15 a multiplicity of blind secondary inner channels or wells each having one end opening into the said inner manifold channel; and heat transfer means extending into the said secondary channels and coupled thermally to the fluid circulating in the inner manifold channel. 20 The said channels preferably consist of portions of holes opening externally in the upper part of the plate, in which are fitted the plugs that delimit these channels. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vertical contact plate designed to be placed in contact with the wall of a vertical electrode 25 of an electrometallurgical furnace, comprising means for removing heat by using a cooling fluid, which comprises: at least one first inner manifold channel; at least one first inner passage communicating with the first channel and connectable to an external pipe which may be an inlet pipe or conversely an outlet pipe; 30 at least one second inner manifold channel; at least one second inner passage communicating with the first channel and connectable to an external pipe which may be an outlet pipe or conversely an inlet pipe; C \NRPoIblI)CC\AZM\3172 I _ DOC7/5/211 -3 a multiplicity of secondary inner channels opening into the second manifold channel; and a multiplicity of intermediate pipes engaged in the said secondary channels to form a space between the pipes and the walls of these secondary channels, 5 passing through the second channel, and each having one end communicating with the first channel and not communicating with the second channel, while the other end is located in the proximity of the bottom of the said secondary channels, in such a way that a fluid supplied by the external pipe connected to the lirst inner manifold channel can circulate into this first manifold channel, then into the 10 intermediate pipes towards the blind ends of the secondary channels, then into the spaces between the inner walls of the secondary channels and the outer walls of the intermediate pipes, then into the second inner manifold channel so that it can be discharged via the external pipe connected to the second inner manifold channel, or in the opposite direction. 15 The first manifold channel is preferably located on the opposite side of' the second manifold channel from the secondary channels. Preferably, the said first and second channels extend horizontally and are formed 20 in an upper part of the plate, and the said secondary channels extend vertically and downwards, and the said passages open on the upper face of the plate. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided vertical contact plate designed to be placed in contact with the wall of a vertical electrode of an 25 electrometallurgical furnace, comprising means for removing heat by using a cooling fluid, which comprises: at least one inner manifold channel for circulating a cooling fluid, having at least one inlet and at least one outlet which can be connected, respectively, to at least one external fluid supply pipe and to at least one external fluid discharge pipe; 30 a multiplicity of secondary inner channels opening into the said inner manifold channel; and a multiplicity of closed tubes, forming heat pipes, extending in the said secondary C 'rNR Pnl)CC1AM\I7?)|I _ | (DOC-(7/'2' 11 -4 channels and having end parts extending in the said inner manifold channel so that they can be coupled thermally to the fluid circulating in the inner manifold channel. The said closed tubes are preferably fitted tightly into the said secondary channels. 5 According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided method of fabricating means for removing heat from a vertical plate having inner and outer faces, upper and lower faces and lateral faces, this plate being designed to be placed in contact with the wall of a vertical electrode of an clectrometallurgical furnace, 10 comprising: drilling two horizontal holes in the upper part of the plate from at least one of the lateral faces, parallel to the inner face and the upper face; drilling secondary vertical holes from the upper face, these holes passing through the said horizontal holes and extending downwards without reaching the lower face: 15 engaging pipes in the said secondary vertical holes and fixing their upper end parts in the parts of the vertical holes extending between the said horizontal holes, the lower ends of the said pipes being in the proximity of the bottoms of the vertical holes; fitting plugs into the parts of the vertical holes located above the said horizontal holes: 20 fitting plugs into the open ends of the horizontal holes; and forming passages connecting the opposite ends of the horizontal h o l e s to inlets/outlets located on the upper face. The method preferably consists in carrying out the aforesaid steps in a flat plate and, in 25 a further step, bending this plate in such a way that its inner face forms a segment of a cylinder. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided method of fabricating means for removing heat from a vertical plate having inner and outer faces, upper and 30 lower faces and lateral faces, this plate being designed to be placed in contact with the wall of a vertical electrode of an electrometallurgical furnace, comprising: drilling a horizontal hole in the upper part of the plate from at least one of the C\NR rthl\DCCOAZ~f1729155_ IDOC-7/5/2011 -5 lateral faces, parallel to the inner face and the upper face; drilling secondary vertical holes from the upper face, these holes passing through the said horizontal hole and extending downwards without reaching the lower face; 5 engaging closed tubes, forming heat pipes, in the said secondary vertical holes, in positions such that their upper end parts extend into the said horizontal hole; fitting a plug into the open end of the horizontal hole; fitting plugs into the parts of the vertical holes located above the horizontal 10 hole; and forming passages connecting the ends of the horizontal hole to inlets/outlets located on the upper face. The said closed tubes preferably fill the secondary vertical holes radially. 15 The closed tubes are preferably cooled belre being engaged in the secondary vertical holes. Preferably the method consists in carrying out the aforesaid steps in a flat plate and, in a 20 further step, bending this plate in such a way that its inner face forms a segment of a cylinder. The present invention will be understood more clearly by studying the contact plates for an electrometallurgical furnace electrode, described by way of example and without 25 restrictive intent, and illustrated by the drawing, in which: - Figure 1 shows a top view of an electrometallurgical furnace fitting; -6 - Figure 2 shows a top view of a first plate according to the invention; - Figure 3 shows a vertical section taken along a cylindrical surface of the said first plate, as shown 5 by III-III of Figure 2; - Figure 4 shows a vertical section taken along the said cylindrical surface of a left-hand upper part of the said first plate as shown by Figure 3; - Figure 5 shows a vertical section taken along the 10 said cylindrical surface of a right-hand upper part of the said first plate as shown by Figure 3; - Figure 6 shows a horizontal section through the said first plate, taken along a first manifold channel; - Figure 7 shows a horizontal section through the 15 said first plate, taken along a second manifold channel; - Figure 8 shows a horizontal section through the said first plate, taken along supply/discharge channels; 20 - Figure 9 shows a vertical section through a lower part of the said first plate; - Figure 10 shows a horizontal section through Figure 9; - Figure 11 shows a top view of a second plate 25 according to the invention; - Figure 12 shows a vertical section taken along a cylindrical surface of the said second plate, as shown by XII-XII of Figure 11; - Figure 13 shows a horizontal section through the 30 said second plate, taken along a manifold channel; - and Figure 14 shows a horizontal section through the said first plate, taken along supply/discharge channels. 35 Referring to Figure 1, it will be seen that this shows part of an electrometallurgical furnace fitting which comprises a vertical cylindrical electrode 1, including a paste to be baked, surrounded by an electrical connection device 2.

-7 This electrical connection device 2 comprises, in a known way, a suspended ring 3 consisting of circumferentially juxtaposed contact plates 4 in 5 contact with the wall of the electrode 1, a suspended retaining ring 5 consisting of circumferentially juxtaposed interconnected segments 6, and jacks 7 interposed between the contact plates 4 and the segments 6. 10 Referring to Figures 2 to 10, a description will now be given of a plate 8 for forming each of the contact plates 4 of the device 2. 15 The plate 8 has a cylindrical inner face 9 intended to make contact with the electrode 1, a cylindrical outer face 10 concentric with the face 9 and having a flat 10a for the application of a jack 7, a radial lower face 11, a radial upper face 12 and two vertical end 20 faces 13 and 14 located in planes containing the axis of the electrode 1. As shown more fully in Figures 3, 6 and 7, in this example the plate 8 has five cylindrical vertical blind 25 holes 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19, extending from the upper face 12 and having their bottoms located in the proximity of the lower face 11, without reaching the latter. The axes of these holes are distributed over a cylindrical surface 20 concentric with the inner face 30 9. By way of example, the spacings between the axes are equal and the distances between the end holes 15 and 19 and the respective end faces 13 and 14 are slightly greater than these spacings. 35 The plate 8 has cylindrical parts 21 and 22 projecting upwards from its upper face 12, through which the holes 16 and 18 are made.

-8 As shown more fully in Figures 3 and 6, the plate 8 has an upper curved horizontal hole 23 extending in its upper part from the end face 13 without reaching the end face 14, this hole having a circular or cylindrical 5 cross section. The axis of this hole 23 extends along an arc concentric with the inner face 9 and contained in the cylindrical surface 20 of the axes of the vertical holes 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19, in such a way that these vertical holes pass through the horizontal 10 hole 23. In the example, this horizontal hole 23 has a diameter substantially equal to or slightly less than the diameter of the vertical holes 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19. 15 As shown more fully in Figures 3 and 7, the plate 8 has a lower curved horizontal hole 24 extending in its upper part from the end face 14 without reaching the end face 13, and placed below the upper hole 23, this hole having a circular or cylindrical cross section. 20 The axis of this hole 24 extends along an arc concentric with the inner face 9 and contained in the cylindrical surface 20 of the axes of the vertical holes 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19, in such a way that these vertical holes also pass through the horizontal hole 25 24. In the example, this hole 24 has a diameter substantially equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of the vertical holes 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19. As shown more fully in Figures 3, 4 and 8, the plate 8 30 also has a cylindrical vertical hole 25 extending from the upper face 12, placed between the end face 13 and the vertical hole 15 and opening into the upper horizontal hole 23, its axis being in the cylindrical plane 20, together with a curved horizontal hole 26 35 extending in its upper part from the end face 13, placed above the horizontal hole 23 and following the latter, passing through the vertical hole 25 and the vertical hole 15 and opening into the vertical hole 16, -9 this hole 26 having a circular or cylindrical cross section. As shown more fully in Figures 3, 5 and 8, the plate 8 5 also has a cylindrical vertical hole 27 extending from the upper face 12, placed between the end face 14 and the vertical hole 19 and opening into the lower horizontal hole 24, its axis being in the cylindrical plane of the axis of the horizontal hole 24, together 10 with a curved horizontal hole 28 extending in its upper part from the end face 14, placed above the horizontal hole 23, passing through the vertical hole 27 and the vertical hole 19 and opening into the vertical hole 18, this hole 28 having a circular or cylindrical cross 15 section. In the parts of the vertical holes 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 located above the upper horizontal hole 23, cylindrical pipes 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33 are fitted 20 concentrically by means of spacing washers 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38 positioned and fixed to form a seal between the horizontal holes 23 and 24. The cylindrical pipes 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33 pass through the lower horizontal hole 24 and extend into the proximity of the bottoms of 25 the vertical holes 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 without reaching them. As shown more fully in Figures 9 and 10, finned spacing washers 39, 40, 41, 42 and 43 are fitted around the 30 lower parts of the pipes 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33. Plugs 44, 45, 47 and 48 are positioned and fixed to form a seal in the parts of the vertical holes 15, 16, 18 and 19 located between the upper horizontal hole 23 35 and the lower horizontal hole 24, and a plug 46 is positioned and fixed to form a seal in the upper part of the vertical hole 17 adjacent to the horizontal hole 23.

- 10 Plugs 49, 50, 51, 52 and 53 are positioned and fixed to form a seal in the upper end parts of the vertical holes 15, 19, 25 and 27 located between the horizontal holes 26 and 27 and in the upper part of the vertical 5 hole 17 adjacent to the upper face 12. Plugs 54 and 55 are positioned and fixed to form a seal in the end parts of the horizontal holes 23 and 26 adjacent to the end face 13. 10 Plugs 56 and 57 are positioned and fixed to form a seal in the end parts of the horizontal holes 24 and 28 adjacent to the end face 14. 15 It is clear from the above description that the upper horizontal hole 23 forms a first inner manifold channel 58, that the lower horizontal hole 24 forms a second inner manifold channel 59, and that the parts of the vertical holes 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 located below the 20 lower horizontal hole 24 form secondary blind channels or wells 60, 61, 62, 63 and 64. Additionally, the holes 25 and 26 and the upper part of the vertical hole 16 form an inlet passage 65, or conversely an outlet passage, and the holes 27 and 28 and the upper part of 25 the vertical hole 18 form an outlet passage 66, or conversely an inlet passage. Thus, when the projecting part 21 is connected to an external pipe for supplying a cooling fluid, such as 30 water, for the plate 8, this fluid circulates into the inlet passage 65, then into the first inner manifold channel 57, then downwards in the vertical pipes 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33, along parallel paths, then around the lower ends of these pipes then upwards between the 35 outer walls of these vertical pipes 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33 and the walls of the secondary channels or wells 60, 61, 62, 63 and 64, along parallel paths, then into the outlet passage 66, so that it can finally be discharged - 11 through an external discharge pipe. Circulation in the opposite direction could be considered. Clearly, the above supply and discharge pipes are 5 connected to a source of fluid having means of propelling the fluid. When this is done, the fluid circulating in the plate 9 absorbs and removes the heat. 10 To fabricate the plate 8, it is possible to proceed as follows. A flat plate, usually metallic and usually copper 15 based, is taken. The aforementioned holes are made. The aforementioned vertical pipes are fitted. 20 The aforementioned plugs are fitted. The said flat plate is deformed, by hot bending for example, until the plate 8 is produced in such a way 25 that its inner face forms a segment of a cylinder matching the cylindrical wall of the electrode 1. Referring to Figures 11 to 14, a description will now be given of a plate 68 which is also capable of forming 30 each of the contact plates 4 of the device 2. This plate 68 has a cylindrical inner face 69 intended to make contact with the electrode 1, a cylindrical outer face 70 concentric with the electrode J and 35 having a flat 70a for the application of a jack 7, a radial lower face 71, a radial upper face 72 and two vertical end faces 73 and 74 located in planes containing the axis of the electrode 1.

- 12 In the example, the plate 68 has seven blind cylindrical vertical holes 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80 and 81 extending from the upper face 72 and having their bottoms located in the proximity of the lower face 71 5 without reaching it. The axes of these holes are distributed along a cylindrical plane 82 concentric with the inner face 69. By way of example, the spacings between the axes are equal and the distances between the end holes 75 and 81 and the respective end faces 73 10 and 74 are slightly greater than these spacings. As shown more fully in Figures 12 and 13, the plate 68 has an upper curved horizontal hole 83 extending in its upper part from the end face 73 without reaching the 15 end face 14, the hole 83 having a circular or cylindrical cross section. The axis of this hole 83 extends along an arc concentric with the inner face 69 and contained in the plane 82 of the axes of the vertical holes 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80 and 81 in such a 20 way that these vertical holes pass through the horizontal hole 83. In the example, this horizontal hole 83 has a diameter greater than the diameter of the vertical holes 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80 and 81. As a variant, the horizontal hole 83 could be shifted 25 outwards or inwards with respect to the vertical holes 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80 et 81. As shown more fully in Figures 12 and 14, the plate 68 also has a cylindrical vertical hole 84 extending from 30 the upper face 72, placed between the end face 73 and the vertical hole 75 and opening into the horizontal hole 83, its axis being in the cylindrical plane 82, together with a curved horizontal hole 85 extending in its upper part from the end face 73, placed above the 35 horizontal hole 83 and following the latter, passing through the vertical hole 84 and the vertical hole 75 and opening into the vertical hole 76. The diameter of the holes 84 and 85 is substantially equal to the diameter of the horizontal hole 83.

- 13 In a symmetrical way, the plate 68 has a cylindrical vertical hole 86 extending from the upper face 72, placed between the end face 73 and the vertical hole 81 5 and opening into the horizontal hole 83, its axis being in the cylindrical plane 82, together with a curved horizontal hole 87 extending in its upper part from the end face 74, placed above the horizontal hole 83 and following the latter, passing through the vertical hole 10 86 and the vertical hole 80 and opening into the vertical hole 79. The diameter of the holes 86 and 87 is substantially equal to the diameter of the horizontal hole 83. 15 Plate 68 has cylindrical parts 88 and 89 projecting upwards from the upper face 72, through which the holes 76 and 80 are formed, these holes being enlarged from the ends of these projecting parts to the horizontal holes 85 and 87, substantially to the diameter of the 20 latter. Vertical tubes 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95 and 96 are fitted in the vertical holes 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80 and 81, the lower ends of these tubes being at the bottoms or 25 in the proximity of the bottoms of the above vertical holes, while their upper ends are in the parts of the above vertical holes extending between the horizontal hole 83 and the horizontal holes 85 and 87. 30 Plugs 97, 98, 102 and 103 are positioned and fixed to form a seal in the parts of the vertical holes 75, 76, 80 and 81 extending between the horizontal hole 83 and the horizontal holes 85 and 87. 35 Plugs 99, 100 and 101 are positioned and fixed to form a seal in the upper parts of the vertical holes 77, 78 and 79.

- 14 The vertical tubes 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95 and 96 are tightly in contact in the parts of the vertical holes 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80 and 81 located below the horizontal hole 83, forming secondary channels, so as 5 to form a sealed connection. The ends of the vertical tubes 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95 and 96 are closed and sealed by plugs 104a and 104b, these tubes being under a vacuum and partially filled 10 with a suitable liquid, so as to form heat transfer tubes or heat pipes. Plugs 105, 106, 107 and 108 are positioned and fixed to form a seal in the upper end parts of the vertical 15 holes 75 and 81 located between the horizontal holes 85 and 87 and in the upper part of the vertical holes 84 and 86 adjacent to the upper face 72. Plugs 109, 110 and 111 are positioned and fixed to form 20 a seal in the end parts of the horizontal holes 83 and 85, adjacent to the end face 73, and in the end part of the horizontal hole 87, adjacent to the end face 74. It is clear from the above description that the 25 horizontal hole 83 forms an inner manifold channel 112, that the holes 84 and 85 and the upper part of the vertical hole 78 form an inlet passage 113, or conversely an outlet passage, and that the holes 86 and 87 and the upper part of the vertical hole 80 form an 30 outlet passage 114, or conversely an inlet passage. Thus, when the projecting part 88 is connected to an external pipe for supplying a cooling fluid, such as water, for the plate 68, this fluid circulates into the 35 inlet passage 113, then into the inner manifold channel 112, around the parts of the vertical tubes 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95 and 96 passing through this channel, then into the outlet passage 114, so that it can finally be - 15 discharged via an external discharge pipe. Circulation in the opposite direction could be considered. Clearly, the above supply and discharge pipes are 5 connected to a source of fluid having means of propelling the fluid. When this is done, the heat pipes 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95 and 96 transfer the heat to their upper parts and 10 this heat is removed by the fluid circulating in the inner manifold channel 112. To fabricate the plate 68, it is possible to proceed as follows. 15 A flat plate, usually metallic and usually copper based, is taken. The aforementioned holes are made. 20 The aforementioned closed vertical tubes forming heat pipes are fitted. For this purpose, they are cooled to reduce their cross sections and they are fitted in place. When the temperatures have been balanced with 25 that of the plate, the aforementioned sealed connections are produced. The aforementioned plugs are fitted. 30 The said flat plate is deformed, by hot bending for example, until the plate 68 is produced in such a way that its inner face forms a segment of a cylinder. The contact plates which have been described have the 35 following particular advantages. They have no plugs in their lower parts subjected to the heat of the bath.

C.\NRPonb\DCC\A/%MI0729|I 5' D IOC-7/5/210|I -16 The fluid circulation means included in the plates provide better distribution of heat removal over the volume of the plates, more uniform or distributed temperature gradients, better maintenance of the geometric shape of the plates, reduction of the risks of striking electric arcs between the plates and the electrodes, better distribution of current 5 circulation, and, ultimately, greater uniformity and control of the baking of the electrode paste and reduced consumption of the cooling fluid such as water. The present invention is not limited to the examples described above. Many variants can be proposed without departure from the scope defined by the attached claims. i0 Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. 15 T he reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the Field of 20 endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims

2. Plate according to Claim 1, wherein the said channels consist of portions of holes 15 opening externally in the tipper part of' the plate, in which are fitted the plugs that delimit these channels.
3. Vertical contact plate designed to be placed in contact with the wall of'a vertical electrode of'an electrometallurgical furnace, comprising means for removing heat by using 20 a cooling fluid, which comprises: at least one first inner manifold channel; at least one first inner passage communicating with the first channel and connectable to an external pipe which may be an inlet pipe or conversely an outlet pipe; at least one second inner manifold channel; 25 at least one second inner passage communicating with the first channel and connectable to an external pipe which may be an outlet pipe or conversely an inlet pipe; a multiplicity of secondary inner channels opening into the second manifold channel; and a multiplicity of intermediate pipes engaged in the said secondary channels to form 30 a space between the pipes and the walls of these secondary channels, passing through the second channel, and each having one end communicating with the first channel and not communicating with the second channel, while the other end is located in the proximity of' C \NR onh[DCC\AMU729 5 I I - 18 the bottom of the said secondary channels, in such a way that a fluid supplied by the external pipe connected to the First inner manifold channel can circulate into this first manifold channel, then into the intermediate pipes towards the blind ends of the secondary channels, then into the spaces between the 5 inner walls of the secondary channels and the outer walls of the intermediate pipes, then into the second inner manifold channel so that it can be discharged via the external pipe connected to the second inner manifold channel, or in the opposite direction.
4. Plate according to Claim 3, wherein the first manifold channel is on the opposite 10 side of the second manifold channel from the secondary channels.
5. Plate according to either one of Claims 3 and 4, wherein the said first and second manifold channels extend horizontally and are formed in an upper part of the plate and the said secondary channels extend vertically and downwards, the said passages opening on 15 the upper face of the plate.
6. Vertical contact plate designed to be placed in contact with the wall of a vertical electrode of an electrometallurgical furnace, comprising means for removing heat by using a cooling fluid, which comprises: 20 at least one inner manifold channel for circulating a cooling fluid, having at least one inlet and at least one outlet which can be connected, respectively, to at least one external fluid supply pipe and to at least one external fluid discharge pipe; a multiplicity of secondary inner channels opening into the said inner manifold channel; and 25 a multiplicity of closed tubes, forming heat pipes, extending in the said secondary channels and having end parts extending in the said inner manifold channel so that they can be coupled thermally to the fluid circulating in the inner manifold channel.
7. Plate according to Claim 6, wherein the said closed tubes are fitted tightly in the 30 said secondary channels.
8. Method of fabricating means for removing heat from a vertical plate having inner C \NRPonhDCCAM 72155_I 1OC-7/1/2)11 - 19 and outer faces, upper and lower faces and lateral faces, this plate being designed to be placed in contact with the wall of a vertical electrode of an electrornetallurgical furnace, comprising: drilling two horizontal holes in the upper part of the plate from at least one of the 5 lateral faces, parallel to the inner face and the upper face; drilling secondary vertical holes from the upper face, these holes passing through the said horizontal holes and extending downwards without reaching the lower face; engaging pipes in the said secondary vertical holes and fixing their upper end parts in the parts of the vertical holes extending between the said horizontal holes, the lower 10 ends of the said pipes being in the proximity of the bottoms of the vertical holes; fitting plugs into the parts of the vertical holes located above the said horizontal holes; fitting plugs into the open ends of the horizontal holes; and forming passages connecting the opposite ends of the horizontal holes to 15 inlets/outlets located on the tipper face.
9. Method according to Claim 8, comprising carrying out the aforesaid steps in a flat plate and, in a further step, bending this plate in such a way that its inner face forms a segment of a cylinder. 20
10. Method of fabricating means for removing heat from a vertical plate having inner and outer faces, upper and lower faces and lateral faces, this plate being designed to be placed in contact with the wall of a vertical electrode of an electrometallurgical furnace, comprising: 25 drilling a horizontal hole in the tipper part of the plate from at least one of the lateral faces, parallel to the inner face and the tipper face; drilling secondary vertical holes from the upper face, these holes passing through the said horizontal hole and extending downwards without reaching the lower face; engaging closed tubes, forming heat pipes, in the said secondary vertical holes, in 30 positions such that their upper end parts extend into the said horizontal hole; fitting a plug into the open end of the horizontal hole; Fitting plugs into the parts of the vertical holes located above the horizontal hole; C \NRPonhD~CC\.A/.A1\3729155 _lI.DOC-7I/50I - 20 and forming passages connecting the ends of the horizontal hole to inlets/outlets located on the upper face 5 11. Method according to Claim 10, wherein the said closed tubes radially fill the secondary vertical holes.
12. Method according to either one of Claims 10 and 11, wherein the closed tubes are cooled before being engaged in the secondary vertical holes. 10
13. Method according to any one of Claims 8 to 12, comprising carrying out the aforesaid steps in a flat plate and, in a further step, bending this plate in such a way that its inner face forms a segment of a cylinder. 15 14. Vertical contact plate designed to be placed in contact with the wall of a vertical electrode of an electrometallurgical furnace. substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
15. Method of fabricating means for removing heat from a vertical plate having inner 20 and outer faces, upper and lower faces and lateral faces, this plate being designed to be placed in contact with the wall of a vertical electrode of an electrometallurgical furnace. substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.