EP1096216A2 - A method of drying a furnace and/or performing continuous degassing, and plant for implementing the method - Google Patents

A method of drying a furnace and/or performing continuous degassing, and plant for implementing the method Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1096216A2
EP1096216A2 EP00123036A EP00123036A EP1096216A2 EP 1096216 A2 EP1096216 A2 EP 1096216A2 EP 00123036 A EP00123036 A EP 00123036A EP 00123036 A EP00123036 A EP 00123036A EP 1096216 A2 EP1096216 A2 EP 1096216A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
walls
furnace
gas
plant
drying
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP00123036A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1096216A3 (en
EP1096216B1 (en
Inventor
Vian Francis Coombe
Emilio Davoli
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.)
Ferrari SpA
Original Assignee
Ferrari SpA
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 Ferrari SpA filed Critical Ferrari SpA
Publication of EP1096216A2 publication Critical patent/EP1096216A2/en
Publication of EP1096216A3 publication Critical patent/EP1096216A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1096216B1 publication Critical patent/EP1096216B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F27—FURNACES; KILNS; OVENS; RETORTS
    • F27D—DETAILS OR ACCESSORIES OF FURNACES, KILNS, OVENS OR RETORTS, IN SO FAR AS THEY ARE OF KINDS OCCURRING IN MORE THAN ONE KIND OF FURNACE
    • F27D99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B9/00—General processes of refining or remelting of metals; Apparatus for electroslag or arc remelting of metals
    • C22B9/006—General processes of refining or remelting of metals; Apparatus for electroslag or arc remelting of metals with use of an inert protective material including the use of an inert gas
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B9/00—General processes of refining or remelting of metals; Apparatus for electroslag or arc remelting of metals
    • C22B9/05—Refining by treating with gases, e.g. gas flushing also refining by means of a material generating gas in situ
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F27—FURNACES; KILNS; OVENS; RETORTS
    • F27B—FURNACES, KILNS, OVENS OR RETORTS IN GENERAL; OPEN SINTERING OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • F27B3/00—Hearth-type furnaces, e.g. of reverberatory type; Electric arc furnaces ; Tank furnaces
    • F27B3/10—Details, accessories or equipment, e.g. dust-collectors, specially adapted for hearth-type furnaces
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F27—FURNACES; KILNS; OVENS; RETORTS
    • F27D—DETAILS OR ACCESSORIES OF FURNACES, KILNS, OVENS OR RETORTS, IN SO FAR AS THEY ARE OF KINDS OCCURRING IN MORE THAN ONE KIND OF FURNACE
    • F27D1/00—Casings; Linings; Walls; Roofs
    • F27D1/16—Making or repairing linings ; Increasing the durability of linings; Breaking away linings
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F27—FURNACES; KILNS; OVENS; RETORTS
    • F27D—DETAILS OR ACCESSORIES OF FURNACES, KILNS, OVENS OR RETORTS, IN SO FAR AS THEY ARE OF KINDS OCCURRING IN MORE THAN ONE KIND OF FURNACE
    • F27D7/00—Forming, maintaining or circulating atmospheres in heating chambers
    • F27D7/02—Supplying steam, vapour, gases or liquids
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F27—FURNACES; KILNS; OVENS; RETORTS
    • F27M—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS OF THE CHARGES OR FURNACES, KILNS, OVENS OR RETORTS
    • F27M2003/00—Type of treatment of the charge
    • F27M2003/02—Preheating, e.g. in a laminating line
    • F27M2003/025—Drying

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of drying a furnace, particularly for the fusion of metals, and to a plant for implementing the method.
  • the method is connected with the need to keep metals which are at or above their melting points as free as possible of water. In fact, at these temperatures, any trace of moisture present is transformed into its constituent atomic elements, hydrogen and oxygen, with decidedly adverse effects on the properties of the metal.
  • molten aluminium and alloys thereof readily absorb hydrogen which gives rise to porosity due to the presence of gas during subsequent solidification.
  • molten copper and alloys thereof absorb oxygen and hydrogen which give rise to defects due to gas reactions during solidification.
  • a new furnace or a partially renovated furnace in which some components have been renewed is subjected to several empty heating cycles, before it is actually used, to eliminate the traces of moisture present in its walls which are typically made of refractory material.
  • the object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method of drying furnaces which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art mentioned above.
  • a furnace for the fusion of metals has walls 10 made of refractory material covered externally by metal plates 12.
  • the walls 10 define an internal chamber 14 for holding the metal 16.
  • a duct for the supply of substantially dry gas is indicated 18; a plurality of outlet tubes 20 branch from the duct 18 and open in respective holes 22 formed in the covering plates 12 at the lowest points of the walls 10.
  • the holes 22 and the associated ends of the outlet tubes 20 advantageously have complementary threads (not visible in the drawing) to permit a leaktight connection.
  • the gas is, for example, air, argon, nitrogen or carbon dioxide and may be supplied, in known manner, from bottles or suitable circuits.
  • the supply duct 18 has means, generally indicated 24, for regulating the gas-flow, such as valves, pressure reducers, or the like.
  • the furnace Before the loading of the metal 16 into the chamber 14 is started, the furnace is subjected to a drying process by the continuous supply of dry gas into the walls 10, from the duct 18 and from the tubes 20, and at a pressure preferably of between 0.5 and 1.5 bar. Since the gas is introduced at the lowest points of the walls 10, it passes through substantially the entire extent of the walls, penetrating the pores of the refractory material, and removes the moisture contained therein, including that which is chemically bound.
  • the time required to reduce the moisture present to negligible levels or at least to levels which are not such as to compromise the quality of the metal 16 treated is of the order of two weeks, in comparison with the three months required by conventional drying methods.
  • Gas is advantageously also introduced during the operation of the furnace.
  • the gas which continues to flow through the walls 10 emerges from the walls by passing through and above the bath of molten metal 16 in order then to leave the furnace through an opening schematically indicated 26 which may, for example, be formed in a loading door.
  • the gas thus also removes any traces of moisture contained in the metal 16, as well as the chemical elements resulting from decomposition of moisture. This ensures that the metal 16 remains free of damaging impurities, without the need to perform specific degassing procedures.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Processing And Handling Of Plastics And Other Materials For Molding In General (AREA)
  • Manufacture And Refinement Of Metals (AREA)
  • Furnace Details (AREA)
  • Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)
  • Fertilizers (AREA)
  • Furnace Housings, Linings, Walls, And Ceilings (AREA)

Abstract

The method of drying a furnace having walls (10) made of refractory material, particularly for the fusion of metals, (16) provides for a flow of substantially dry gas to be introduced into the walls (10) and to be caused to flow through the walls (10) so as to remove the moisture contained therein. The method can also be implemented during the operation of the furnace so as to degas the molten metal (16). The plant for implementing the method comprises a duct (18) for the supply of substantially dry gas, at least one outlet tube (20) branching from the duct and opening into a respective hole (22) formed in the furnace walls (10). <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a method of drying a furnace, particularly for the fusion of metals, and to a plant for implementing the method.
The method is connected with the need to keep metals which are at or above their melting points as free as possible of water. In fact, at these temperatures, any trace of moisture present is transformed into its constituent atomic elements, hydrogen and oxygen, with decidedly adverse effects on the properties of the metal.
For example, molten aluminium and alloys thereof readily absorb hydrogen which gives rise to porosity due to the presence of gas during subsequent solidification.
Moreover, molten copper and alloys thereof absorb oxygen and hydrogen which give rise to defects due to gas reactions during solidification.
The absorption of hydrogen and oxygen into the metal tends to go on until an equilibrium is reached, the quantity absorbed increasing as the temperature and the relative humidity of the surrounding atmosphere increase. On the basis of these preliminary statements, it is clear that the problem of absorption becomes more acute during the summer season when temperature and relative humidity are greater.
According to the prior art, a new furnace or a partially renovated furnace in which some components have been renewed is subjected to several empty heating cycles, before it is actually used, to eliminate the traces of moisture present in its walls which are typically made of refractory material.
Moreover, the elimination of the chemically bound moisture continues during the initial period of actual operation of the furnace. To prevent this having adverse effects on the metal produced during this period of time, which may be of the order of more than three months, it is therefore necessary to perform periodic degassing treatments of the metal to eliminate the chemical elements contained therein, which result from the traces of moisture present.
However, it is difficult to eliminate these impurities completely, since the residual moisture tends to collect in the outer portions of the furnace walls which, as a result of the use of energy-saving techniques, are at relatively low temperatures, of the order of 100°C. Moreover, temporary interruptions in the normal operating conditions of the furnace, for example, for maintenance, holidays, and the like, may lead to re-cooling of the furnace walls with the penetration of further moisture, thus necessitating an extension of the period of degassing operations.
The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method of drying furnaces which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art mentioned above.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of a method and a plant for implementing the method having the specific characteristics recited in the following claims.
Advantages and characteristics of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description, provided by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawing, in which the single figure is a schematic representation of a plant for implementing a drying method according to the invention.
A furnace for the fusion of metals has walls 10 made of refractory material covered externally by metal plates 12. The walls 10 define an internal chamber 14 for holding the metal 16.
A duct for the supply of substantially dry gas is indicated 18; a plurality of outlet tubes 20 branch from the duct 18 and open in respective holes 22 formed in the covering plates 12 at the lowest points of the walls 10. The holes 22 and the associated ends of the outlet tubes 20 advantageously have complementary threads (not visible in the drawing) to permit a leaktight connection.
The gas is, for example, air, argon, nitrogen or carbon dioxide and may be supplied, in known manner, from bottles or suitable circuits. Again in known manner, the supply duct 18 has means, generally indicated 24, for regulating the gas-flow, such as valves, pressure reducers, or the like.
Before the loading of the metal 16 into the chamber 14 is started, the furnace is subjected to a drying process by the continuous supply of dry gas into the walls 10, from the duct 18 and from the tubes 20, and at a pressure preferably of between 0.5 and 1.5 bar. Since the gas is introduced at the lowest points of the walls 10, it passes through substantially the entire extent of the walls, penetrating the pores of the refractory material, and removes the moisture contained therein, including that which is chemically bound.
The time required to reduce the moisture present to negligible levels or at least to levels which are not such as to compromise the quality of the metal 16 treated is of the order of two weeks, in comparison with the three months required by conventional drying methods.
These values relate to the drying of a new furnace or, in any case, of a furnace which has been inactive for a long time. Naturally, similar methods may also be implemented after short shutdowns of the furnace, for example, for maintenance operations, requiring markedly shorter times to reduce the moisture ratio to the required value. Alternatively, if compatible with other requirements, the introduction of dry gas through the walls 10 may continue without interruption during these short shutdowns so that there is no increase in the moisture ratio and production activity can start again immediately, without loss of time due to the need to perform a further drying process.
Gas is advantageously also introduced during the operation of the furnace. In this case, the gas which continues to flow through the walls 10 emerges from the walls by passing through and above the bath of molten metal 16 in order then to leave the furnace through an opening schematically indicated 26 which may, for example, be formed in a loading door.
As well as continuing to keep the walls 10 free of water by removing the moisture which tends to infiltrate into them from outside, the gas thus also removes any traces of moisture contained in the metal 16, as well as the chemical elements resulting from decomposition of moisture. This ensures that the metal 16 remains free of damaging impurities, without the need to perform specific degassing procedures.
Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the details of construction and forms of embodiment may be varied widely with respect to those described purely by way of example, without thereby departing from its scope.

Claims (10)

  1. A method of drying a furnace having walls (10) made of refractory material, particularly for the fusion of metals (16), the method being characterized in that it provides for a flow of substantially dry gas to be introduced into the walls (10) and to be caused to flow through the walls (10) so as to remove the moisture contained therein.
  2. A method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the gas is introduced at the lowest points of the walls (10).
  3. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas is selected from the group consisting of air, argon, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
  4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas is introduced at a pressure of between 0.5 and 1.5 bar.
  5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is performed before the introduction of the metal (16) into the furnace.
  6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is performed after the introduction of the metal (16) into the furnace, during the operation thereof, so that the flow of gas emerging from the walls (10) flows above and through the molten metal (16), removing the moisture contained therein, as well as the atomic elements resulting from decomposition of the moisture.
  7. A plant for implementing a method of drying a furnace, particularly for the fusion of metals (16), characterized in that it comprises a duct (18) for the supply of substantially dry gas, at least one outlet tube (20) branching from the duct and opening into a respective hole (22) formed in the walls (10) of the furnace.
  8. A plant according to Claim 7, characterized in that the hole (22) is formed in a metal plate (12) covering the outside of the walls (10) of refractory material.
  9. A plant according to any one of preceding claims 7 to 8, characterized in that the hole (22) is formed at the lowest point of the walls (10) of the furnace.
  10. A plant according to any one of preceding claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the supply duct (18) is provided with means (24) for regulating the gas-flow.
EP00123036A 1999-10-26 2000-10-24 A method of drying a furnace and/or performing continuous degassing, and plant for implementing the method Expired - Lifetime EP1096216B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT1999TO000931A IT1311258B1 (en) 1999-10-26 1999-10-26 PROCESS OF DRYING A FURNACE AND / OR CONTINUOUS DEGASSING AND INSTALLATION FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION.
ITTO990931 1999-10-26

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1096216A2 true EP1096216A2 (en) 2001-05-02
EP1096216A3 EP1096216A3 (en) 2002-08-21
EP1096216B1 EP1096216B1 (en) 2009-07-29

Family

ID=11418176

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00123036A Expired - Lifetime EP1096216B1 (en) 1999-10-26 2000-10-24 A method of drying a furnace and/or performing continuous degassing, and plant for implementing the method

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1096216B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE438071T1 (en)
DE (1) DE60042633D1 (en)
IT (1) IT1311258B1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT202000003871A1 (en) * 2020-02-25 2021-08-25 Smith & Mason Italia S R L Furnace for aluminum and its alloys, with degassing system for the removal of hydrogen from molten aluminum

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3926786C2 (en) * 1989-04-14 1998-05-20 Mannesmann Ag Device for blowing gases into molten metal
JPH03217791A (en) * 1990-01-24 1991-09-25 Nippon Steel Corp Method and device for drying refractory of molten metal processing vessel
JPH0452070A (en) * 1990-06-15 1992-02-20 Kawasaki Refract Co Ltd Method for lining molten metal container
JPH1136013A (en) * 1997-07-17 1999-02-09 Harima Ceramic Co Ltd Drying method for refractory lining

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT202000003871A1 (en) * 2020-02-25 2021-08-25 Smith & Mason Italia S R L Furnace for aluminum and its alloys, with degassing system for the removal of hydrogen from molten aluminum

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITTO990931A1 (en) 2001-04-26
EP1096216A3 (en) 2002-08-21
IT1311258B1 (en) 2002-03-04
ITTO990931A0 (en) 1999-10-26
ATE438071T1 (en) 2009-08-15
DE60042633D1 (en) 2009-09-10
EP1096216B1 (en) 2009-07-29

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
KR20180117648A (en) Method and apparatus for purifying a target material for an EUV light source
EP0424837A3 (en) Permeable nozzle method and apparatus for closed feeding of molten metal into twin-belt continuous casting machines
EP1096216B1 (en) A method of drying a furnace and/or performing continuous degassing, and plant for implementing the method
CN109207758B (en) Aluminum alloy workpiece smelting and casting process
DE3586277T2 (en) METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLED REFINING OF MELTS.
CA2364356A1 (en) Process and apparatus for high pressure gas quenching in an atmospheric furnace
KR19990067543A (en) Method and apparatus for decarburizing steel molten steel
CN202968663U (en) Multipoint blowing hydrogen removal purification treatment device in aluminium alloy furnace
DE2026780A1 (en) Method and apparatus for the production of stainless steel
EP0861336B1 (en) Method for producing pre-treated molten metal castings
JPH10204549A (en) Non-ferrous metal degas purification equipment
FR2501722A1 (en) PROCESS FOR PNEUMATIC BREWING OF A METAL BATH
RU2127324C1 (en) Method of utilizing protective gas in heat treatment of metal in department of bell-type furnaces
JPH0847747A (en) Copper continuous casting method and apparatus
RU2173235C2 (en) Method of producing castings from preliminarily treated metal melt
KR100237154B1 (en) Early vacuum decompression device of molten steel
JPS6173879A (en) Plating method by vacuum deposition
KR101298532B1 (en) Apparatus for decreasing defect of strip and method for decreasing defect of strip using the same
CN119614801A (en) Method for reducing longitudinal cracks on surface of 45 round steel
SU854562A1 (en) Method of producing ingot
SU1186655A1 (en) Method of working rail steel outside furnace
DE3711528A1 (en) Refining and degassing molten steel
JPH10183217A (en) Slag forming suppression method
JPH01242729A (en) Electron beam melting method for refractory high-melting-temperature metal material
JP2002153953A (en) Continuous casting method

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Free format text: 7F 27D 23/00 A, 7F 27B 3/10 B, 7F 27D 1/16 B, 7F 27D 3/16 B

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20030221

AKX Designation fees paid

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20070622

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 60042633

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20090910

Kind code of ref document: P

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090729

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20091109

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090729

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090729

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090729

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20091129

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090729

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090729

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20091031

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20100503

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20100630

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20091102

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20091024

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20091030

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20091031

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20091031

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20091024

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090729

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20141022

Year of fee payment: 15

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20141023

Year of fee payment: 15

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20140911

Year of fee payment: 15

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 60042633

Country of ref document: DE

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20151024

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20151024

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20151024

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20160503