EP2883418A1

EP2883418A1 - Device and method for changing at least one electrode of a melt-metallurgical vessel

Info

Publication number: EP2883418A1
Application number: EP13762769.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Markus Dorndorf; Michel HEIN
Original assignee: Primetals Technologies Austria GmbH
Current assignee: Primetals Technologies Austria GmbH
Priority date: 2012-09-20
Filing date: 2013-09-06
Publication date: 2015-06-17
Anticipated expiration: 2033-09-06
Also published as: EP2883418B1; MX2015003600A; US20150237685A1; WO2014044548A1; RU2015114332A; DE102012216847A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for changing at least one electrode of a melt-metallurgical vessel which has a receiving device for molten metal and a vessel cover with one opening per electrode for covering the receiving device. The at least one electrode can be positioned by means of at least one electrode support, and the at least one electrode and the at least one electrode support, and optionally the vessel cover as well, can be lifted and laterally pivoted about a perpendicular rotational axis by means of a lifting and pivoting device. At least two electrode changing stations are provided next to the receiving device. The electrode changing stations are either arranged adjacently to each other on a circular path about the rotational axis in a pivot range of the lifting and pivoting device or can be alternately brought onto the circular path about the rotational axis into the pivot range of the lifting and pivoting device.

Description

description

Device and method for changing at least one

Electrode of a fusion metallurgical vessel

The invention relates to a device and a method for changing at least one electrode of a melt metallurgical vessel, which has a receptacle for melt and for covering the receptacle a vessel lid with an opening per electrode, wherein the at least one electrode is positionable by means of at least one electrode holder and the vessel lid in that at least one electrode and the at least one electrode holder can furthermore be raised by means of a lifting and pivoting device and can be pivoted laterally about a vertical axis of rotation.

The rapid replacement of used electrodes is essential for an energy-efficient and time-saving smelting process in a smelting metallurgical vessel, in particular an electric arc furnace, and is increasingly coming into focus with the ever-increasing performance requirements for smelting plants and the constant increase in energy. Electrical energy is introduced into the molten material, usually in the form of metal scrap, via the electrodes, whereby the electrode material, which usually consists of graphite, is consumed.

Such a device is known for example from the document US 4,345,333, wherein the melt metallurgical plant here an electric arc furnace plant with a liftable and pivotable furnace lid and one to two

Melting vessels comprises. In addition to a melting vessel, alternatively between the two melting vessels, there is a cassette rotatable about its vertical center axis, which has cylindrical openings for receiving used electrodes and offset therefrom further cylindrical openings for holding new electrodes. The cassette is here together with its central rotating mechanism and several below the cartridge arranged and engaging in the cylindrical openings lifting cylinders for lowering the used

Electrode pieces and for lifting the new electrodes completely in the swivel range of the furnace lid.

In the direct sphere of influence of a melt-metallurgical vessel, enormous corrosive influences act on movable mechanisms such as lifting cylinders and swivel joints, so that regular maintenance and / or replacement of components is unavoidable. It has been found that the maintenance of such devices known from the prior art for the replacement of electrodes must be carried out more frequently if movable mechanism is arranged directly in the pivoting region of the furnace lid or vessel lid. Particles like flaking solidified metal droplets, dust particles, etc. can fall down from the vessel lid, get into the moving mechanics and damage or block the mechanics.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device which is as low-maintenance as possible and a method for changing at least one suitable for operating such a device

To provide electrode of a melt metallurgical vessel. The object is for the device for changing at least one electrode of a melt metallurgical vessel, which has a receptacle for melt and to cover the receiving device a vessel lid with an opening per electrode, wherein the at least one electrode by means of at least one electrode holder can be positioned and the vessel lid in that at least one electrode and the at least one electrode holder are liftable by means of a lifting and pivoting about a vertical axis of rotation, achieved in that at least two Elektrodenwechselstatio- are present in addition to the receiving device, either side by side in a

Pivoting range of the lifting and pivoting device are arranged on a circular path about the axis of rotation or alternately into a Pivoting range of the hub pivoting device can be brought to the circular path about the axis of rotation.

In such a device, there are no movable mechanics in the pivoting area of the vessel lid, which require intensive maintenance.

If the at least two electrode change stations are arranged next to one another in a swivel range of the lifting / swiveling device on a circular path around the axis of rotation, then only the electrode (s) and the electrode holder move over them, optionally also the vessel lid. The electrode changing stations are fixed units that can be formed from simple mechanical holders. Maintenance is rarely, if not at all, necessary, and may, for example, be carried out simultaneously with necessary maintenance of the vessel lid.

Are the electrode change stations in the change in the

Pivoting range of the lifting and pivoting device can be brought to the circular path about the axis of rotation, so the mechanism for this introduction of a change electrode station in the pivoting range is outside the pivoting range and is thus removed from increased stress by particles. Such an arrangement is also very low maintenance and also easily accessible to the maintenance personnel.

The tube lid itself is preferably not moved with the at least one electrode and the / the electrode holder (s) when changing electrodes. Optionally, the vessel lid can also be moved, since any movable mechanism of the device for changing at least one electrode is outside the pivoting range. A molten metallurgical vessel with a device according to the invention has been proven, wherein the device comprises a movable mechanism which is arranged outside the pivoting range of the lifting-pivoting device and by means of which at least two electrode changing stations can be brought in alternation in the pivoting range of the lifting and pivoting device on the circular path about the axis of rotation. The molten metallurgical vessel is preferably an electric arc furnace. While the electrode consumption in a conventional electric arc furnace is different for each electrode present due to the irregular scrap distribution and nature, the required drilling phase at which the electrodes drill into the scrap, and the arc length, etc. occurring each time the electrodes in a melt metallurgical vessel with Flachbadbetrieb in which the arcs burn evenly on the bath surface, very evenly. Thus, in flat bath operation, a simultaneous replacement of all existing electrodes is generally to be expected.

The melt-metallurgical vessel may also be ladle furnaces or similar melt-metallurgical vessels operated with electrodes or self-consuming / consuming energy transfer devices.

It has proven useful if the at least two electrode changeover stations of the device are identical. Particularly preferred is an education or at least lining both electrode changing stations from / with refractory material, so that hot remnants of electrodes can be safely parked in each electrode change station. A lining of an electrode changing station with in particular refractory elastic fiber material has been proven to reduce the mechanical stress on the remaining pieces of the electrode (s) when stopping and to damp their impact in the electrode changing station.

Alternatively, a lining can also be designed in the form of a refractory metallic clamping device which locks the parked residual pieces. It has proved to be advantageous for the device if a first electrode change station of the at least two electrode change stations forms a storage station for a remainder of the at least one electrode and if a second electrode change station of the at least two electrode change stations, a placement station for holding at least one spare electrode by means of at least one Electrode holder is receivable forms. In this way, the hot leftover pieces can initially remain in the storage station and cool down to the extent that their further processing is possible without difficulty. A loss of time in the assembly of the electrode holder with the replacement electrodes does not arise because the replacement electrode (s) are provided by a further electrode exchange station.

Preferably, the first and second electrode changing stations of the device are set up to alternately form the parking station and the loading station. Remaining pieces of electrodes remaining in an electrode changing station used as storage station can be directly mechanically connected to replacement electrodes and reused for the next required electrode change, the storage station now holding the next replacement electrode and thus now functioning as a placement station.

In a preferred embodiment of the device, at least two, in particular three, electrodes are present and on the circular path between the receiving device and the at least two electrode changing stations a Nachsetzsta- tion is arranged, which is a refractory horizontal plane to

Length adjustment of the at least two electrodes to a uniform length measure between the plane and the at least one electrode holder. Such a Nachsetzstation is particularly for a conventionally operated electric arc furnace, in which a different levels of erosion occurs at the existing electrodes, an advantage. But even in flat bath operation, although rarely, be necessary to set the ends of the electrodes at the same height.

In a further preferred embodiment of the device, the at least two electrode changing stations are connected to a vertical exchange unit rotation axis, which is set up to pivot the electrode change stations horizontally into the pivoting range of the lifting and pivoting device. The axis of rotation of the change unit itself is outside the swivel range and thus protected from particles.

It has proven useful if at least one assembly unit for the mechanical connection of the remaining piece of the at least one electrode with at least one electrode extension piece is assigned to the at least two electrode changing stations of the device. This assembly unit may comprise a robot which automatically forms the mechanical connection between the respective remaining piece and an electrode extension piece, wherein still hot pieces of remnants can be reused. Alternatively, the assembly unit comprises a removal device for removing the respective remainder piece from the storage station in order to mechanically connect it manually to an electrode extension piece.

The object is achieved for the method for changing at least one electrode of a melt-metallurgical vessel by means of a device according to the invention and with the following steps:

Raising and pivoting the remainder of the at least one electrode and the at least one electrode holder, optionally further of the vessel lid, about the axis of rotation in the direction of the at least two electrode changing stations;

Positioning the remainder piece of the at least one electrode and a first electrode exchange station of the at least two electrode changing stations to each other and placing the remainder piece out of the at least one electrode holder in the first electrode exchange station, which acts as a storage station;

- Positioning the at least one electrode holder and a second electrode exchange station of the at least two electrode exchange stations to each other and equipping the at least one electrode holder with at least one replacement electrode, wherein the second electrode exchange station acts as Bestückungsstation;

- pivoting and lowering the at least one replacement electrode and the at least one electrode holder, optionally further of the vessel lid, about the axis of rotation in the direction of the receiving device;

- Removal of the remaining piece from the storage station and / or establishing a mechanical connection between the rest of the at least one electrode and at least one

Electrode extension piece forming a further replacement electrode; and

Repeating the method after a period of time Z. When repeating the method, the first electrode changing station can again act as a storage station and the second electrode exchange station again as a loading station. Alternatively, however, the second electrode change station can also act as a stop station and the first electrode change station as a loading station. This is particularly preferred if the remaining pieces are already connected in the region of the electrode exchange station with electrode extension pieces. At each repetition of the procedure, the first and second electrode change stations then act alternately as a stopping station.

The method according to the invention enables a fast, efficient and resource-saving operation of the device according to the invention which, due to its low maintenance requirement, minimizes interruptions in the melt operation. Residual pieces of the electrode (s) are reused and finally applied completely. When stopping remnants and picking up the replacement electrode (s), it is preferable if the electrode holder is lowered or raised as needed by means of the lifting and pivoting device.

It has proven to be advantageous if the first electrode changeover station is pivoted about the exchange unit rotation axis from a position within the pivoting range of the lifting pivoting device to a position outside the pivoting range of the lifting / pivoting device and at the same time the second electrode changeover station is rotated about the exchange units. Rotating axis is pivoted from a position outside the pivoting range of the Hub-pivoting device into a position within the pivoting range of the Hub-pivoting device. As already explained above for the device according to the invention, in this way the hot remaining pieces can initially remain in the storage station and cool down to the extent that their further processing is possible without any problem. A loss of time during the assembly of the electrode holder with the replacement electrodes does not arise because the replacement electrode (s) are provided by a further electrode replacement station. The arrangement of the exchange unit rotation axis outside the pivoting range of the Hub-Schwenkvorrichtung or the vessel lid has a favorable effect, i. lengthening, to the maintenance cycles of the electrode changing stations.

In the case of uneven consumption of a plurality of existing electrodes, lifting and pivoting of the unevenly long remaining pieces of the electrodes and the at least one electrode holder about the axis of rotation preferably takes place in the direction of the set-up station arranged between the receiving device and the at least two electrode changing stations, the at least one electrode holder being opposite the held electrodes is displaced such that the remaining pieces are leveled with their ends facing away from the at least one electrode holder on the horizontal plane of the Nachsetzstation and wherein subsequently pivoting and lowering the leveled electrodes and the at least one Electrode holder takes place about the axis of rotation in the direction of the receiving device. The plane thus serves to level or level the free ends of the electrodes, which in operation protrude through the vessel lid into the receptacle, to maintain a uniform melting operation.

FIGS. 1 to 5 are intended to exemplify devices according to the invention on melt-metallurgical vessels and methods for their operation. To show:

Figures 1 to 3 schematically an electric arc furnace with a first device from above; 4 shows a partial section through the electric arc furnace; and

5 shows schematically an electric arc furnace with a second device from above.

1 to 3 schematically show a melting metallurgical vessel 1 in the form of an electric arc furnace with a first device from above for changing the electrodes 4. The melt metallurgical vessel 1 comprises a receiving device 2 for melt (see also FIG. 4, which shows a partial section IV). IV through the electric arc furnace) and to cover the receiving device 2, a vessel lid 3, each with an opening 3a per electrode 4. In the receiving device 2 is to be melted metal scrap 10. The electrodes 4 are each positioned by means of an electrode holder 5. By means of a stroke-pivoting device 6, the electrodes 4 and the electrode holder 5, optionally further the vessel lid 3, can be raised and pivoted laterally about a vertical axis of rotation 6a.

In addition to the receiving device 2 are two electrode change - stations 7, 7 "present, the side by side in a

Pivoting range S (see FIG. 3) of the stroke-pivoting direction 6 are arranged on a circular path about the axis of rotation 6a. The electrode changing stations 7, 7 "each have three openings 7a, which can receive replacement electrodes or remnants of electrodes 4.

If the electrodes 4 become too short during operation of the electric arc furnace, the remaining pieces of the electrodes 4 are lifted by means of the electrode holders 5 via the lifting and pivoting device 6 and are pivoted in the direction of the electrode changing stations 7, 7 " Electrode exchange station 7, which acts as a storage station, positioned and lowered the electrode holders 5. The still heated remnants 4a of the electrodes 4 slide into the openings 7a of the first electrode exchange station 7. The electrode holders 5 are raised and further pivoted in the direction of the second electrode exchange station ", which acts here as Bestückungsstation and in whose openings 7a" are replacement electrodes 4 ". These are fixed in the electrode holders 5, the electrode holders 5 "including the replacement electrodes 4" are lifted and pivoted back to the container lid 3. After lowering the replacement electrodes 4 "through the openings 3a in the container lid 3, the melt-metallurgical process can be continued. The remaining pieces 4a are mounted on electrode extension pieces, so that further replacement electrodes are formed. This can be done in the region of the first electrode change station 7 or even after removal of the cooled residual pieces 4a thereof at a different location. These can now be provided, for example, in the first electrode changing station 7, which subsequently acts as a loading station. But also a renewed use of the second electrode change station 7 "as a placement station is possible.

If the replacement electrodes 4 "are also burned, the remaining pieces are deposited in the area of the first or second electrode changeover station 7, 7" and the replacement electrodes are received in the region of the respective other electrode change station 7, 7 ". The two electrode change stations 7, 7 "are fixedly installed in the first device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and have no moving parts, so that no intensive maintenance activities are necessary.

In the swiveling range S between the receiving device 2 and the electrode changing stations 7, 7 "there is optionally a Nachsetzstation 8. In Flachbadbetrieb can be dispensed with such a Nachsetzstation 8. Should the electrodes burn 4 unevenly fast and one or two electrodes 4 have shortened more As the other electrodes, the free ends 40 of the electrodes 4 can be brought to the same level by means of the re-placement station 8. For this purpose, the electrode holders 5, including the electrodes 4, are raised and swiveled over the re-placement station 8. The electrode holders 5 are lowered, each electrode 4 is released and placed on a horizontal plane of the re-placement station 8. The electrode holders 5 are then again connected to the mutually leveled electrodes 4, lifted and pivoted over the vessel lid 3.

After lowering the electrodes 4 through the openings 3a of the vessel lid 3, the melt-metallurgical process can be continued. 5 shows schematically a melting metallurgical vessel 1 in the form of an electric arc furnace with a second device for changing the electrodes 4 from above. The same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 to 4 designate the same elements. In addition to the receiving device 2, two electric changeover stations 7, 7 "are present here, which change into the

Pivoting range S of the lifting-pivoting device 6 can be brought to the circular path about the axis of rotation 6a. In this case, an exchange unit rotation axis 9 is present, around which the first

Electrode exchange station 7 and the second electrode change station 7 "are rotatable and can be introduced alternately into the swivel range S of the lifting swivel device 6. Due to the arrangement of the movable mechanism of the swap unit rotation axis 9 outside the swivel range S, the second direction particularly low maintenance and overall easily accessible.

The arrangement of the movable electrode changing stations is chosen here only by way of example and can readily be done in other ways, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

claims

1. A device for changing at least one electrode (4) of a melt metallurgical vessel (1), a receiving device (2) for melt and to cover the receiving device (2) a vessel lid (3) with an opening (3a) per Electrode (4), wherein the at least one electrode (4) by means of at least one electrode holder (5) is positionable and the at least one electrode (4) and the at least one electrode holder (5), optionally further the vessel lid (3) by means of a Hub pivoting device (6) can be raised and about a vertical axis of rotation (6a) are laterally pivotable,

characterized in that in addition to the receiving device (2) at least two electrode changing stations (7.7 ") are provided, which are either side by side in a pivot region (S) of the lifting-pivoting device (6) arranged on a circular path about the axis of rotation (6a) or in the change in the

Pivoting range (S) of the stroke-pivoting device (6) on the circular path about the axis of rotation (6a) can be brought.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1,

characterized in that the at least two electrode change stations (7,7 ") are identical.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2,

characterized in that a first Elektrodenwechselsta- tion (7) of the at least two electrode change stations

(7.7 ") constitutes a storage station for a remaining piece (4a) of the at least one electrode (4) and that a second electrode changeover station (7") of the at least two electrode change stations (7.7 ") has a loading station for keeping at least a replacement electrode (4 "), which is receivable by means of the at least one electrode holder (5) forms.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3,

characterized in that the first and second electrode changing stations (7, 7 ") are arranged to alternately form the parking station and the loading station.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4,

characterized in that at least two electrodes (4) are present and that on the circular path between the receiving device (2) and the at least two Elektrodenwech- selstationen (7.7 ") a Nachsetzstation (8) is arranged, which is a refractory horizontal plane to Long dimension adjustment of the at least two electrodes (4) to a uniform length measure between the plane and the at least one electrode denhalterung (5).

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5,

characterized in that the at least two electrode exchange stations (7, 7 ") are connected to a vertical exchange unit rotation axis (9), which is set up, the electrode changing stations (7, 7") horizontally in the

Swivel range (S) of the hub swivel device (6) and on the circular path.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6,

characterized in that the at least two electrode change stations (7,7 ") at least one mounting unit for mechanically connecting the remaining piece (4a) of the at least one electrode (4) is associated with at least one electrode extension piece.

8. A method of changing at least one electrode (4) of a melt-metallurgical vessel (1) by means of a device according to one of claims 1 to 7, comprising the following steps:

Raising and pivoting of the remainder piece (4a) of the at least one electrode (4) and the at least one electrode holder (5), optionally further of the vessel lid (3), around the Axis of rotation (6a) in the direction of the at least two electrode change stations (7.7 ");

- Positioning the remainder piece (4a) of the at least one electrode (4) and a first electrode change station (7) of the at least two electrode changing stations (7,7 ") to each other and parking the remainder piece (4a) from the at least one electrode holder (5) in the first Electrode exchange station (7), which acts as a storage station;

Positioning the at least one electrode holder (5) and a second electrode changing station (7 ") of the at least two electrode changing stations (7, 7") to one another and equipping the at least one electrode holder (5) with a replacement electrode (4 "), the second electrode changing station (7) 7 ") acts as a loading station;

- pivoting and lowering the at least one replacement electrode (4 ") and the at least one electrode holder (5), optionally further of the vessel lid (3), about the axis of rotation (6a) in the direction of the receiving device (2);

- Removal of the remaining piece (4a) from the storage station

and / or establishing a mechanical connection between the remnant piece (4a) of the at least one electrode (4) and at least one electrode extension piece to form a further replacement electrode; and

- Repeating the process after a period Z.

9. The method according to claim 8,

wherein in the repetition of the method, the first electrode change station (7) and the second electrode change station (7 ") alternately act as a storage station.

10. The method according to claim 8 or claim 9,

wherein the first electrode exchange station (7) is pivoted about the exchange unit rotation axis (9) from a position within the pivoting range (S) of the lift swivel device (6) to a position outside the swivel range (S) of the lift swivel device (6) and in that at the same time the second electrode changing station (7 ") moves about the change unit axis of rotation (9) from a position outside the pivoting position. Rich (S) of the Hub-pivoting device (6) is pivoted to a position within the pivoting range (S) of the Hub-pivoting device (6).

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10,

wherein, in the case of an uneven consumption of a plurality of existing electrodes (4), raising and pivoting of the unevenly long remaining pieces (4a) of the electrodes (4) and of the at least one electrode holder (5) about the axis of rotation (6a) in the direction of the between the receiving means (2) and the at least two electrode change stations (7.7 ") arranged Nachsetzstation (8), wherein the at least one electrode holder (5) relative to the Erten electrodes (4) is displaced such that the remaining pieces (4a) with their ren of at least one Electrode support (5) facing away from the ends (40) on the horizontal plane of the Nachsetzstation (8) are leveled and wherein subsequently pivoting and lowering the leveled electrodes (4) and the at least one electrode holder (5) about the axis of rotation (6a) in the direction of Recording device (2) takes place.

12. melt metallurgical vessel (1), in particular electric arc furnace, with a device according to one of claims 1 to 7,

wherein the device comprises a movable mechanism, which is arranged outside the pivoting range (S) of the lifting and pivoting device (6) and by means of which the at least two electrode changing stations (7, 7 ") change into the pivoting range (S) of the lifting / pivoting device (FIG. 6) can be brought to the circular path about the axis of rotation (6a).