CA1334859C - Method and apparatus for the detection of leaks of metallurgical vessels - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for the detection of leaks of metallurgical vessels

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Publication number
CA1334859C
CA1334859C CA000579635A CA579635A CA1334859C CA 1334859 C CA1334859 C CA 1334859C CA 000579635 A CA000579635 A CA 000579635A CA 579635 A CA579635 A CA 579635A CA 1334859 C CA1334859 C CA 1334859C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
vapor
cooling
vessel
moisture
pipes
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
CA000579635A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Fritz-Jurgen Strunck
Johannes Becker
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Thyssen Stahl AG
Original Assignee
Thyssen Stahl AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Thyssen Stahl AG filed Critical Thyssen Stahl AG
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1334859C publication Critical patent/CA1334859C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01MTESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M3/00Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
    • G01M3/02Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
    • G01M3/04Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point
    • G01M3/20Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material
    • G01M3/22Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves; for welds; for containers, e.g. radiators
    • G01M3/226Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves; for welds; for containers, e.g. radiators for containers, e.g. radiators
    • G01M3/228Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves; for welds; for containers, e.g. radiators for containers, e.g. radiators for radiators

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Waste-Gas Treatment And Other Accessory Devices For Furnaces (AREA)
  • Examining Or Testing Airtightness (AREA)
  • Processing And Handling Of Plastics And Other Materials For Molding In General (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Steel In Its Molten State (AREA)
  • Superconductors And Manufacturing Methods Therefor (AREA)
  • Vertical, Hearth, Or Arc Furnaces (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Radiation (AREA)
  • Investigating And Analyzing Materials By Characteristic Methods (AREA)

Abstract

In a method for the detection of leaks on metallurgical vessels lined with refractory material and equipped with cooling elements, large leaks are detected with through flow quantity monitoring of individual circles of the total cooling circulation on furnace vessels, no method has become known until now according to which also the smallest possible leaks can be localized in which less than 250 cm3 escape down to the quantity of one drop. According to the invention cooling liquid escaping in the event of a leak is collected as vapor, led to a moisture indicator, and registered. To this end perforated vapor collection pipes are installed below the cooling elements. At the exit of each vapor collection pipe outside the furnace vessel a moisture indicator is connected. The method and the arrangement are suitable, for example for electric arc furnaces, reduction furnaces etc.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE DETECTION OF LEAKS ON METALLURGICAL
VESSELS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

~ Field of the invention - The invention relates in general to metallurgical furnace leak detection devices and methods, and in particular to a new and useful method for recognizing leakages on cooling elements in which the coolant, escaping out of the cooling elements in the event of a leakage, evaporates.

It is known to line metallurgical vessels with refractory stone and/or substances. In this arrangement in the regions of the vessels which are particularly strongly heated (for example through hot waste gases or as in the case of an electric light arc furnace through the radiation of the light arc) the refractory lining is customarily replaced by a duct system or cooling elements, through which a cooling fluid flows. This cooling circulation of metallurgical vessels which is subdivided into individual circles can be a cold-water or a hot-cooling system with water as cooling liquid. Since, however, not always, for example in an electric arc furnace due to the liquid metal 2S bath, the refractory lining can be entirely dispensed with. The lining of many metallurgical vessels consists of a combination of refractory lined parts and individual cooling elements through - 133~8~9 which a cooling liquid flows, which cooling elements are combined to form a total cooling circulation consisting of individual circles.

` When leaks occur at the vessel parts through which cooling fluid flows, for example at the water-cooled panels of an electric arc furnace, the cooling fluid or the water penetrates into the lining below the cooling elements and destroys them through hydration. As long as these leakages are not recognized in time destruction of the vessel wall can occur due to the decomposition of the refractory lining and thus, for example, penetration of the liquid metal from the melting vessel. This leads, as a rule, to costly damages of the metallurgical vessel as a consequence.

Leaks of relatively large size of the cooled vessel parts, for example cooling elements, can be determined through measurements and monitoring of the through flows. To this end, the total cooling circulation is usefully subdivided--into individual circles and potentially occurring - leakages--are ----registered with through flow measurements in these individual circles. The lower limit of leak recognition by through flow measurement with the currently available equipment is L
approximately 250 cm3/seconds. Measurement technology, thus, permits recognition of good-sized leaks. These are then announced to the operating personnel. Beyond the measurement . - 1334859 itself it is then necessary to equip each individual circle with the necessary rapid shut-off devices in order to be able, in the event of failure, to shut off individual cooling regions in the fore-run as well as the back-run to prevent further running out of the cooling liquid.

Small leaks, for example in the form of a few drops/min could not be recognized until now.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, a method for cooling the liquid escaping form the cooling elements and vaporizing is collected as vapor, led to a moisture indicator and recorded.

As arrangement suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention is characterized in that in the vicinity, preferably below the ducts or cooling elements of the metallurgical vessel, a pipe system is installed constructed of perforated pipes as vapor collection pipes which comprises at least one perforated pipe closed on one end whose other end is brought out and connected to a moisture indicator.

Even small amounts of liquid which escape from the cooling elements in the event of a leak and penetrate into the refractory lining of a metallurgical vessel vaporize due to the high temperature of the re~ractory stone or substance. The volume ` 133~859 increase in the vaporization generates excess pressure in the refractory lining which leads to a collection of vapor in the perforated collection pipes or removal pipes. The excess pressure in these pipes drives the vapor through a relief bore 5~ which is at the pipe end outside the metallurgical vessel on which the moisture indicator is attached. In the process the vapor condenses on the moisture indicator and based on the corresponding reaction triggers an electrical signal.

According to this method and with the aid of the arrangement suitable for carrying out the method it is possible to detect even small leaks of metallurgical vessels which operate with a wall temperature greater than approximately 100~ C. Essential is the vaporization of the cooling liquid penetrating from a leak.
Regarding measuring accuracy, for example, moistening the refractory lining of an electric arc furnace with only 1 cm3 of water yielded unmistkable proof with the arrangement according to the invention. _ Accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide an~~
apparatus for detecting leaks in the cooling system of the walls of a cylindrical metallurgical furnace which is lined with refractory and which comprises placing at least one perforated L
collection pipe around at least a portion of the furnace in a position below the cooling system and such that it defines a vapor collection duct having an exterior end, and a moisture indicator adjacent to exterior end.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for detecting leaks in a metallurgical furnace which is simple in design, and rugged in construction, and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects obtained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings Figure 1 is a top view of an electric arc furnace; and Figure 2 is a partial section of an electric arc furnace.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings in particular the invention embodied therein comprises an apparatus for detecting leaks in the cooling systems of the walls of a cylindrical metallurgical furnace generally designated 1 which includes a lining or 133~8~9 refractory material 2 and walls which have cooling ducts 3 forming the cooling system along with further ducts 8. In accordance with the invention at least one vapor collection pipe is arranged in a position below cooling elements 3 and 8 extend C around at least a portion of the furnace in a position to collect vapor in one or more ducts which have exterior ends with moisture indicators 6.

Below the cooling elements 3 the vapor collection pipe 5 is installed. This is, for example a commercially available thick-walled 1/2 inch pipe which receives perforations of a diameter of S mm on its underside. The perforations are arranged at a distance of, for example 100 mm. The perforations on the underside of the vapor collection pipe 5 has the advantage that the perforations are protected from becoming clogged by refractory material which may fall down from the walls.

Figure 1 indicates that the leakage detection system is subdivided into six individual sections--a -to f -distributed~
uniformly on the circumference--of--the -furnace--vesse-l~=1.- Each=~ -~-system functions independently of the other.

The subdivision of the leak measuring system into several sections has the advantage that a potential leak can be localized more rapidly. The measuring system, consequently, also has greater response sensitivity.

At the exit of each vapor collection pipe 5 closed on one side the moisture indicator 6 is located outside the furnace vessel 1 which is a commercially available measuring apparatus which functions for example so that the moisture indicator reacts to changes of electrical resistance. The resistance change is, thus, a measure of the moisture. If a given resistance value is exceeded an optical or acoustical signal is triggered so that the furnace operating personnel can react. The measured values of the moisture indicator can, of course, also be registered on measuring strips.

In Figure 2 leaks in the cooling system 3 are indicated. A
leak 7 due to wear is indicated on a cooling element and another leak 8 is on a cooling means duct connection which has become leaky.

The cooling liquid escaping from the leaks 7 and 8 runs or drips down and turns into vapor due to high temperatures obtaining there which collects in the vapor collection pipes 5.
In the pipes excess pressure obtains so that this pushes the vapor in the direction of the moisture indicator 6 in which the vapor condenses and from which upon exceeding a given limit value a reaction, i.e. an acoustical or optical signal is triggered.

The leak detection system according to the invention can be applied on all metallurgical vessels which are lined with refractory material and equipped with cooling elements.
Subsequent installation into metallurgical vessels is possible.
"

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

Claims (9)

1. Method for recognizing leakages of a metallurgical vessel lined with refractory material and equipped with cooling elements and in which the coolant escaping in a leak from the cooling elements evaporates, comprising collecting the coolant as a vapor and directing the vapor to a moisture indicator so that a moisture indication is obtained.
2. A method according to claim 1, including applying a plurality of curved ducts extending around a metallurgical vessel which are perforated and form vapor collection ducts.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the perforations are arranged at the bottom of the ducts so that they are located so as not to be come clogged by any refractory material falling down from the walls of the vessels.
4. A method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of ducts are arranged at closely spaced intervals around the exterior wall of the vessel.
5. An apparatus for detecting leaks in the cooling system of the walls of a cylindrical metallurgical furnace, comprising at least one perforated collection pipe extending around at least a portion of said furnace and in a position below the cooling system and defining a vapor collection duct having an exterior end, and a moisture indicator adjacent said exterior end.
6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein plurality of collection pipes extend around the vessel.
7. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said collection pipes comprise having perforations on their bottoms thereof, and including a plurality of such pipes arranged in closely spaced relationship around the exterior of the vessel, each functioning independently of the other and each having a moisture indicator.
8. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said moisture indicator includes an electrical resistance reacting to moisture which generates an acoustical signal upon a certain moisture value is exceeded.
9. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said pipes are commercially available thick walled one half inch pipes having perforations of diameter of 5 mm on its underside, the perforations being spaced upon by approximately one hundred millimeters.
CA000579635A 1987-10-09 1988-10-07 Method and apparatus for the detection of leaks of metallurgical vessels Expired - Fee Related CA1334859C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DEP3734182.0-52 1987-10-09
DE19873734182 DE3734182A1 (en) 1987-10-09 1987-10-09 METHOD FOR MONITORING METALLURGICAL VESSELS

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1334859C true CA1334859C (en) 1995-03-21

Family

ID=6337972

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000579635A Expired - Fee Related CA1334859C (en) 1987-10-09 1988-10-07 Method and apparatus for the detection of leaks of metallurgical vessels

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0312714B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE67032T1 (en)
CA (1) CA1334859C (en)
DE (2) DE3734182A1 (en)
ES (1) ES2024598B3 (en)
GR (1) GR3002652T3 (en)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1991001392A1 (en) * 1989-07-21 1991-02-07 Ionex Method of removing ions
DE3938703C1 (en) * 1989-11-17 1990-11-29 Mannesmann Ag, 4000 Duesseldorf, De
DE102004061082A1 (en) 2004-12-18 2006-06-29 Sms Demag Ag Metallurgical vessel
GB2428896A (en) * 2005-07-26 2007-02-07 Trox Detecting a leak in a cooling system

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3644172A (en) * 1968-09-23 1972-02-22 Westinghouse Electric Corp System for determining leakage inside a reactor containment
CH517302A (en) * 1970-08-13 1971-12-31 Ironflex Ag Procedure for leak testing of large-scale building waterproofing
DE2043851B2 (en) * 1970-09-04 1973-05-03 Duisburger Kupferhütte, 4100 Duis bürg PROCEDURE FOR DETECTING LEAKS IN COOLERS IN PRESSURE-LESS EVAPORATIVE COOLING SYSTEMS ON SHAFT FURNACES, IN PARTICULAR BIG FURNACES, AND APPLICATION TO BLOW DEVICE, COOLING AND SLAG MOLDS
GB1472445A (en) * 1973-08-23 1977-05-04 Electricite De France Leak detection in heat-exchangers
US4232551A (en) * 1979-03-19 1980-11-11 General Electric Company Leak detector for vaporization cooled transformers
EP0073322B1 (en) * 1981-07-10 1986-02-05 Reinhold Barlian Device for controlling tightness of vapour pipes

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GR3002652T3 (en) 1993-01-25
EP0312714B1 (en) 1991-09-04
DE3734182A1 (en) 1989-04-27
ES2024598B3 (en) 1992-03-01
DE3864654D1 (en) 1991-10-10
EP0312714A1 (en) 1989-04-26
ATE67032T1 (en) 1991-09-15

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