EP1721493B1 - Druckringsvorrichtung für lichtbogenofen - Google Patents

Druckringsvorrichtung für lichtbogenofen Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1721493B1
EP1721493B1 EP05702724.5A EP05702724A EP1721493B1 EP 1721493 B1 EP1721493 B1 EP 1721493B1 EP 05702724 A EP05702724 A EP 05702724A EP 1721493 B1 EP1721493 B1 EP 1721493B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pressure ring
ring assembly
copper
alloy
metal
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.)
Active
Application number
EP05702724.5A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1721493A2 (de
Inventor
Jacques Venter
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.)
Metix Pty Ltd
Original Assignee
Metix Pty Ltd
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Metix Pty Ltd filed Critical Metix Pty Ltd
Priority to EP08010861.6A priority Critical patent/EP1971190B1/de
Priority to EP07017855A priority patent/EP1876867A2/de
Priority to EP07017854.6A priority patent/EP1876866B1/de
Publication of EP1721493A2 publication Critical patent/EP1721493A2/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1721493B1 publication Critical patent/EP1721493B1/de
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B7/00—Heating by electric discharge
    • H05B7/02—Details
    • H05B7/10—Mountings, supports, terminals or arrangements for feeding or guiding electrodes
    • 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; Tank furnaces
    • F27B3/08—Hearth-type furnaces, e.g. of reverberatory type; Tank furnaces heated electrically, with or without any other source of heat
    • F27B3/085—Arc furnaces
    • 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; Tank furnaces
    • F27B3/10—Details, accessories, or equipment peculiar to 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
    • F27D11/00—Arrangement of elements for electric heating in or on furnaces
    • F27D11/08—Heating by electric discharge, e.g. arc discharge
    • F27D11/10—Disposition of electrodes

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a pressure ring assembly suitable for use in an electrical arc furnace, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a pressure ring assembly suitable for use on a lower section of an electrode column.
  • Electric arc furnaces are commonly used in the steel and ferro alloy production industry during pyrometallurgical smelting operations.
  • An electric arc furnace includes one or more electrodes that extend into the furnace and that are arranged in use proximate a furnace load for supplying the energy required during smelting operations.
  • Electric transformers are generally located outside the furnace and electric power is conducted from such transformers to the electrodes by means of contact shoes that are circumferentially arranged about and releasably engaged with the electrodes.
  • a pressure ring is commonly arranged circumferentially about the contact shoes and dimensioned to maintain a number of contact shoes in electrical contact with the electrode.
  • contact shoes An important requirement pertaining to the contact shoes is that they must preferably be located relatively low down on the electrodes. However, this implies that the contact shoes, and thus the pressure rings, are to be located in close proximity of the high temperature section of the arc furnace. The pressure rings are therefore exposed to harsh environmental conditions. Contrary to the electrodes, the pressure rings are not classified as consumables, and must therefore be able to withstand the harsh furnace operating conditions for extended periods of time.
  • a first solution which is implemented in a so-called "split design" suggests providing a heat shield around an outer peripheral and bottom surface of the pressure ring which is most exposed to the severe operating conditions.
  • the heat shield is manufactured of a material that has good heat-conductivity characteristics, such as copper.
  • the heat shield can be of limited mechanical strength, as the pressure ring, and not the heat shield, will absorb the force exerted on the contact shoes. The heat shield will thus protect the pressure ring from being exposed to excessive furnace temperatures, and the heat-conductivity of the pressure ring becomes less critical.
  • the solution is however complex, not always cost efficient and often not feasible due to size complexities.
  • a second solution which is generally implemented in a so-called "compound design" suggests a pressure ring manufactured from a material having good heat-conductivity characteristics, such as pure copper.
  • pure copper lacks the mechanical strength to withstand the forces imparted on the pressure ring by the contact shoes, and is especially prone to creep. The occurrence of creep is furthermore proportional to the temperature of the pressure ring, which renders pure copper generally unsuitable for use.
  • a pressure ring made from pure copper would have to be of substantial size to allow the maximum stresses in the pressure ring to be reduced to levels where the occurrence of creep will be below acceptable limits.
  • Such a pressure ring is also not compatible with standard furnace set-ups, as there is generally Insufficient space for the larger pressure ring.
  • US 3,717,445 discloses an electric holder having a powder metallurgical liner suitable for an application of an electric are furnace using a high electric power.
  • the liner is fabricated from a porous powder metallurgical plate itself or plates sintered on one side or both sides of a metal plate comprising at least one of metal powder selected from the group consisting of copper, iron and aluminum powders with or without graphite powder, an additional metal powder and if necessary, together with carbon fiber or graphite fiber.
  • a pressure ring assembly suitable for use in an electric arc furnace, the pressure ring assembly comprising a pressure ring characterised therein that it is made of a metal alloy wherein a first metal of the alloy is copper, and a second metal of the alloy is silver.
  • the alloy may comprise at least 97% of copper.
  • the alloy may comprise between 0.05% and 0.5% silver, and particularly 0.15% silver.
  • a further feature of the invention provides for the use of a metal alloy wherein a first metal is copper, and a second metal is silver in the manufacture of a pressure ring suitable for use in an electric are furnace.
  • the pressure ring assembly may comprise at least two pressure ring segments dimensioned to engage each other to form the pressure ring around an electrode, each pressure ring segment having a top end, a bottom end, two opposing side ends, an inner face facing the electrode, and an opposite outer face; the pressure ring assembly further comprising at least one contact shoe arranged between the pressure ring and the contact shoe, and a piston arrangement including a piston push plate located between the pressure ring segment and te contact shoe for forcing the contact shoe into electrical contact with the electrode.
  • the pressure ring assembly 10 includes a pressure ring 20, comprising a plurality of interconnected pressure ring segments 22, a plurality of contact shoes 50 located adjacent an operatively inner face 36 of the pressure ring 20, as well as a plurality of piston arrangements 40 (shown in figures 3 and 4 ) located between each contact shoe 50 and the pressure ring 20.
  • a pressure ring 20 and contact shoes 50 encircles an electrode (not shown) used in the electric arc furnace (not shown).
  • the pressure ring 20 is characterized therein that the pressure ring is made of a metal alloy wherein a first metal of the alloy is copper and a second metal of the alloy is silver.
  • the pressure ring 20 according to the particular embodiment is a circular ring when viewed in plan, and two adjacent pressure ring segments 22 of the pressure ring are shown in figures 1 and 2 .
  • Each pressure ring segment is arcuate when viewed in plan, and includes an outer face 35 facing away from the electrode and an inner face 36 facing the electrode (not shown).
  • Each pressure ring segment has a top end 24 and a bottom and 25, the bottom end in this embodiment terminating in a substantially L-shaped section.
  • a circumferential recess 33 is provided towards the bottom end 25 of the pressure ring segment 22, and in this particular configuration the recess 33 is located in a face of the L-shaped section that faces the contact shoe 50.
  • a seal 54 is located in the groove, and is described in more detail herein below,
  • a hanger bracket 23 extends from the top and 24, and is used to suspend the pressure ring segment 22, and thus the pressure ring 20, from a hangar bracket 51 connected to the contact shoe 50.
  • Each pressure ring segment 22 furthermore has opposing, parallel side ends 26, being substantially perpendicular relative to the top and bottom ends, 24 and 25.
  • Engagement formations 27 are located proximate the side ends 26, and extends at least partially between the top end 24 and the bottom end 25 of the pressure ring segment 22.
  • the engagement formations 27 are in the form of recesses located in the inner face 36 of the pressure ring segment 22, but it will be appreciated that the engagement formations can be in the form of elongate protrusions rather than recesses, and that the engagement formations can be located in the outer face 35 instead of the inner face 36 of the pressure ring segment 22.
  • the recesses 27 are tapered relative to the side ends 26, and more particularly are tapered away from the side ends 26 going down from the top end 24 to the bottom end 25.
  • the recesses 27 are tapered along art entire length thereof, but it will be appreciated that only a part of each recess needs to be tapered, and that a remainder may for instance be parallel relative to the side ends 26.
  • the recesses 27 are furthermore undercut towards side ends 26 of the .pressure ring segments 22 so as to define lips 28 that aid in securely connecting adjacent pressure ring segments 22.
  • adjacent pressure ring segments 22 are releasably connected by means of outwardly tapering or diverting connecting means 60.
  • a contact shoe 50 is located adjacent the inner face 36 of each pressure ring segment 22.
  • the contact shoes 50 are thus located radially inwardly from the pressure ring, so that the pressure ring 20 surrounds the contact shoes 50.
  • the contact shoes 50 are displaceable relative to the pressure ring segments 22, so as to be able to engage an electrode (not shown) being located inside the pressure ring 20 as well as the contact shoes 50.
  • an electrode When an electrode is engaged, a reaction force is exerted on the contact shoes towards the pressure ring segments 22, which in turn absorbs such reaction force.
  • the weight of the contact shoe 50 is carried via a contact shoe hangar bracket 51, and not by the pressure ring segment 22.
  • a piston arrangement 40 is provided in each pressure ring segment 22 in order to facilitate movement of a contact shoe 50 relative to a pressure ring segment 22.
  • the piston arrangement 40 includes a pressurisation cavity 42 formed by a piston push plate 41, a sleeve-like housing 43 and the inner face 36 of the pressure ring segment 22.
  • the pressurisation cavity 42 is pressurised by introducing high-pressure fluid (such as water) into the pressurisation cavity 42 via a first flow channel 31 embedded inside the pressure ring segment 22.
  • each pressure ring segment 22 includes two internal flow channels that are configured in parallel.
  • the second flow channel 32 is solely used as a cooling channel, wherein heat is removed from the pressure ring segment 22 by a cooling fluid flowing inside the cooling channel.
  • the first flow channel 31 also contributes towards cooling, it also conveys liquid to and from the piston cavity 42. An increase In the feed pressure to the first flow channel 31 will thus result In an increase in pressure in the pressurisation cavity 42, and thus in resultant piston push plate 41 movement.
  • the pressure ring 20 is exposed to elevated temperatures because of its location in close proximity of the furnaces interior, in addition substantial outwardly directed reaction forces are exerted on the pressure ring due to the clamping action of the contact shoes 50 on the electrode. It is therefore important to manufacture the pressure ring 20, and more particularly the individual pressure ring segments 22, from a material firstly having good heat conductivity characteristics to ensure proper heat removal, and secondly having good mechanical strength properties at elevated temperatures, it is of particular importance that the material has a reasonably low creep rate under high-temperature, high-stress conditions,
  • copper/chrome and copper/silver micro alloys proved to be particularly suitable for this application. Alloys comprising 0.15% percent (weight by weight) silver and 1.5% percent (weight by weight) chrome were tested, and improved performance was noted. For example, the improved performance of the copper and silver (denoted CuAg in the graph) is shown in figure 8 . being a comparison between the creep par 1000 hours versus stress at elevated temperatures for different materials. It will be apparent form the graph that the copper/silver alloy can withstand higher stresses at the same creep rate experienced in traditionally used materials such as oxygen-free copper (CuOF) and high-conductivity copper (HC Cu).
  • CuOF oxygen-free copper
  • HC Cu high-conductivity copper

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Arc-Extinguishing Devices That Are Switches (AREA)
  • Furnace Details (AREA)
  • Sealing Devices (AREA)
  • Pistons, Piston Rings, And Cylinders (AREA)
  • Vertical, Hearth, Or Arc Furnaces (AREA)

Claims (6)

  1. Eine Druckringanordnung [10] zur Verwendung in einem Lichtbogenofen, die Druckringanordnung [10] umfassend einen Druckring [20], dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass dieser aus einer Metalllegierung gefertigt ist, wobei ein erstes Metall der Legierung Kupfer und ein zweites Metall der Legierung Silber ist.
  2. Die Druckringanordnung [10] nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Legierung zumindest 97% (nach Gewicht) Kupfer und zwischen 0,05% und 0,5% (nach Gewicht) Silber umfasst.
  3. Die Druckringanordnung [10] nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Legierung zumindest 99% (nach Gewicht) Kupfer umfasst.
  4. Die Druckringanordnung [10] nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Legierung 0,15% (nach Gewicht) Silber umfasst.
  5. Eine Druckringanordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei die Druckringanordnung zumindest zwei Druckringabschnitte [22] umfasst, die derart dimensioniert sind, dass diese beim Zusammenfügen den Druckring [20] um eine Elektrode bilden, wobei jeder Druckringabschnitt [22] ein oberes Ende [24], ein unteres Ende [25], zwei Seitenenden [26], eine der Elektrode zugewandte Innenseite [36] und eine gegenüberliegende Außenseite [35] umfasst, wobei die Druckringanordnung [10] ferner umfasst zumindest einen zwischen dem Druckring [20] und der Elektrode vorgesehenen Kontaktschuh [50], welcher derart angeordnet ist, dass ein Ringspalt zwischen dem Druckring [20] und dem Kontaktschuh [50] ausgebildet ist und eine Kolbenanordnung [40] mit einer zwischen dem Druckringabschnitt [22] und dem Kontaktschuh [50] angeordneten Kolbendruckplatte [41], um den Kontaktschuh [50] in elektrischen Kontakt mit der Elektrode zu zwingen.
  6. Verwendung einer Metalllegierung zur Herstellung eines Druckrings [20] für die Verwendung in einem Lichtbogenofen, wobei ein erstes Metall Kupfer und ein zweites Metall Silber ist.
EP05702724.5A 2004-01-19 2005-01-19 Druckringsvorrichtung für lichtbogenofen Active EP1721493B1 (de)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP08010861.6A EP1971190B1 (de) 2004-01-19 2005-01-19 Bogenofen-Druckringanordnung
EP07017855A EP1876867A2 (de) 2004-01-19 2005-01-19 Bogenofen-Druckringanordnung
EP07017854.6A EP1876866B1 (de) 2004-01-19 2005-01-19 Bogenofen-Druckringanordnung

Applications Claiming Priority (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA200400360 2004-01-19
ZA200400938 2004-02-05
ZA200400937 2004-02-05
ZA200400936 2004-02-05
ZA200406209 2004-08-04
ZA200406208 2004-08-04
ZA200408292 2004-10-14
PCT/IB2005/050225 WO2005071335A2 (en) 2004-01-19 2005-01-19 Arc furnace pressure ring assembly

Related Child Applications (6)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07017855A Division-Into EP1876867A2 (de) 2004-01-19 2005-01-19 Bogenofen-Druckringanordnung
EP07017855A Division EP1876867A2 (de) 2004-01-19 2005-01-19 Bogenofen-Druckringanordnung
EP08010861.6A Division-Into EP1971190B1 (de) 2004-01-19 2005-01-19 Bogenofen-Druckringanordnung
EP08010861.6A Division EP1971190B1 (de) 2004-01-19 2005-01-19 Bogenofen-Druckringanordnung
EP07017854.6A Division-Into EP1876866B1 (de) 2004-01-19 2005-01-19 Bogenofen-Druckringanordnung
EP07017854.6A Division EP1876866B1 (de) 2004-01-19 2005-01-19 Bogenofen-Druckringanordnung

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1721493A2 EP1721493A2 (de) 2006-11-15
EP1721493B1 true EP1721493B1 (de) 2018-03-07

Family

ID=34812466

Family Applications (4)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07017854.6A Active EP1876866B1 (de) 2004-01-19 2005-01-19 Bogenofen-Druckringanordnung
EP05702724.5A Active EP1721493B1 (de) 2004-01-19 2005-01-19 Druckringsvorrichtung für lichtbogenofen
EP08010861.6A Active EP1971190B1 (de) 2004-01-19 2005-01-19 Bogenofen-Druckringanordnung
EP07017855A Withdrawn EP1876867A2 (de) 2004-01-19 2005-01-19 Bogenofen-Druckringanordnung

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07017854.6A Active EP1876866B1 (de) 2004-01-19 2005-01-19 Bogenofen-Druckringanordnung

Family Applications After (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08010861.6A Active EP1971190B1 (de) 2004-01-19 2005-01-19 Bogenofen-Druckringanordnung
EP07017855A Withdrawn EP1876867A2 (de) 2004-01-19 2005-01-19 Bogenofen-Druckringanordnung

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (4) EP1876866B1 (de)
HK (2) HK1119350A1 (de)
WO (1) WO2005071335A2 (de)

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FI123373B (fi) 2008-06-06 2013-03-15 Outotec Oyj Tiivistyslaite
FI124673B (en) * 2012-12-19 2014-11-28 Outotec Oyj Method of sealing the grooves in a contact groove and sealing arrangement
FI125431B (en) * 2013-08-27 2015-10-15 Outotec Finland Oy Arrangement for sealing a bellows cylinder in a press block of a press ring assembly
FI125964B (en) * 2013-08-27 2016-04-29 Outotec Finland Oy Cooling channel arrangement in electrode system
FI125874B (fi) * 2013-08-27 2016-03-15 Outotec Oyj Puristusrengaskokoonpano kontaktikengille elektrodijärjestelmässä
HUE059643T2 (hu) 2014-04-28 2022-12-28 Hatch Ltd Hüvelytömítés elektromos kemence elektródjához
CN105241255A (zh) * 2015-09-24 2016-01-13 江苏德诚冶金电炉设备有限公司 矿热炉用电极密封装置
NL2020368B1 (en) * 2018-02-01 2019-08-12 Metix Pty Ltd A component for an electric furnace
CN108834248B (zh) * 2018-07-21 2024-01-02 汕头华兴冶金设备股份有限公司 一种矿热炉铜压力环及其加工方法

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1051625A (fr) * 1951-02-15 1954-01-18 Elektrokemisk As Support d'électrode
US3717445A (en) * 1969-11-12 1973-02-20 Mitsubishi Steel Mfg Electrode holder for electric arc furnace and make the same
FR2159779A5 (en) * 1971-11-12 1973-06-22 Inst Elektroswarki Patona Plasmatron adjuster - for plasma arc furnace with compressed air drive
FR2750537B1 (fr) * 1996-06-27 1998-08-28 Action Finances Ind Dispositif de connexion electrique d'une electrode en particulier d'un four metallurgique, a moyens de rappel

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1721493A2 (de) 2006-11-15
EP1876866A3 (de) 2013-07-03
EP1971190A3 (de) 2013-11-06
HK1119350A1 (en) 2009-02-27
EP1876866A2 (de) 2008-01-09
EP1971190B1 (de) 2016-11-09
WO2005071335A2 (en) 2005-08-04
HK1119351A1 (en) 2009-02-27
EP1876867A2 (de) 2008-01-09
WO2005071335A3 (en) 2006-02-23
EP1876866B1 (de) 2014-11-12
EP1971190A2 (de) 2008-09-17

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