JP7255530B2 - Hot metal ladle carrier, hot metal ladle carrier formation vehicle, and hot metal carrying method - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a hot metal ladle carrier, and more particularly to a hot metal ladle carrier capable of generating electricity using the heat of hot metal held in a hot metal ladle. The present invention also relates to a vehicle for transporting hot metal ladle and a method for transporting hot metal.

A phenomenon in which an electromotive force is generated between a high-temperature portion and a low-temperature portion when a temperature difference is applied to different conductors or semiconductors has long been known as the Seebeck effect. Since heat can be directly converted into electric power by utilizing the above effect, heat from a heat source, which was conventionally difficult to utilize, is used for power generation.

For example, in the production equipment of steel plants, there are various high-temperature heat sources such as slabs in the continuous casting process, rough bars in the hot rolling process, hot rolled steel strips, etc. Conventionally, the heat is discarded as waste heat. It has been However, in recent years, efforts have been made to utilize thermal energy from radiation from these heat sources for power generation using thermoelectric power generation elements.

For example, Patent Literature 1 proposes a method of attaching a thermoelectric generator to a cutting machine used in a continuous casting facility to convert the heat of a steel slab into electric power and recover the heat.

Further, in Patent Document 2, by installing a thermoelectric generator in the shape of a lid at the opening of a container such as a hot metal gutter or hot metal ladle, thermoelectric power generation is performed using the heat of the molten metal held in the hot metal ladle. A method of suppressing the temperature drop of the molten metal has been proposed.

WO2018/066389 JP 2015-190732 A

However, in Patent Document 1, only the steel slab in the continuous casting line is assumed as the heat source, and utilization of heat from other heat sources was not considered.

On the other hand, Patent Document 2 considers the use of molten metal such as hot metal as a heat source. However, since one of the purposes of Patent Document 2 is to suppress the heat radiation of the molten metal, it was necessary to attach the thermoelectric generator to the opening of the container in order to achieve the purpose. Since a large number of hot metal ladles are used to transport hot metal in steelworks, in order to use the technology of Patent Document 2, it is necessary to install a thermoelectric generator for each hot metal ladle, which increases the cost. was there. In addition, if one thermoelectric generator is to be used in a plurality of hot metal pots, the thermoelectric generator must have a structure that can be attached to and detached from the pot. Because it is necessary to move the equipment, the facility structure becomes complicated.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and to provide a technique that can effectively utilize the thermal energy of hot metal contained in a hot metal ladle and that can be introduced at low cost. for the purpose.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and the gist and configuration thereof are as follows.

1. car body,
wheels for running on tracks,
A hot metal ladle carrier comprising a hot metal ladle support for supporting a hot metal ladle, and a thermoelectric generator installed on the car body.

2. 2. The hot metal ladle carrier according to 1 above, wherein the thermoelectric generator is arranged to face the bottom of the hot metal ladle supported by the hot metal ladle support.

3. The hot metal ladle carrier according to 1 or 2 above;
and a locomotive connected to the hot metal pot carrier, comprising:
The hot metal ladle transport train set vehicle, wherein the locomotive comprises a diesel engine and an electric motor, and the electric motor is electrically connected to a thermoelectric generator of the hot metal ladle carriage.

4. 4. The hot metal ladle transportation organized vehicle according to 3 above, wherein the locomotive further comprises a storage battery electrically connected to the thermoelectric generator and the electric motor.

5. A method for transporting hot metal by using the hot metal ladle transporting train vehicle according to the above 3 or 4,
placing the hot metal ladle holding the hot metal inside on the hot metal ladle support portion of the hot metal transport truck;
Converting heat from the hot metal pot into electric power by the thermoelectric generator,
A method for transporting hot metal, wherein at least part of the electric power is used to drive the electric motor.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the heat energy of the hot metal accommodated in the hot metal ladle can be effectively utilized. Further, in the present invention, since the thermoelectric generator is provided on the hot metal ladle carrier, one thermoelectric generator can be used for a plurality of hot metal ladle. Furthermore, the electric power generated by the hot metal ladle carrier of the present invention can be used as a power source for a locomotive that pulls the hot metal ladle carrier.

It is a front schematic diagram showing the structure of the hot metal ladle carrier in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic side view showing the structure of a hot metal ladle carrier in one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a hot metal ladle transport train vehicle in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The following description shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited by the following description.

[Hot metal pot carrier]
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing the structure of a hot metal ladle carrier 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A hot metal pot carrier 10 includes a vehicle body 1 and wheels 2 attached to the lower portion of the vehicle body 1, and can run on a track (rail) by means of the wheels 2. - 特許庁As the wheels 2, general railway wheels or the like can be used.

A hot metal ladle support part 3 for supporting the hot metal ladle P is provided on the upper part of the vehicle body 1, and when the hot metal ladle is transported, the hot metal ladle is supported by the hot metal ladle support part 3. . For example, as shown in FIG. 1, in the case where cylindrical protrusions for support projecting outward are provided on the left and right sides of the hot metal ladle P, the cylindrical protrusions and An engaging recess may be provided to pivotally support the hot metal ladle.

A thermoelectric generator 4 is installed on the vehicle body 1 . The thermoelectric generator 4 can convert thermal energy radiated from the hot metal pot P into electrical energy. The installation position of the thermoelectric generator 4 is not particularly limited, and it can be installed at any position as long as it can receive thermal energy from the hot metal ladle P.

However, from the viewpoint of not hindering the installation and removal of the hot metal ladle P on the hot metal ladle carrier 1, as shown in FIG. It is preferable to arrange so as to face the . In addition, since the bottom of a general hot metal ladle is substantially flat, high power generation efficiency can be obtained even by arranging the thermoelectric generator 4 on one plane as long as it is arranged to face the bottom. However, even when the thermoelectric generator 4 is arranged so as to face the bottom of the hot metal ladle P supported by the hot metal ladle support 3, the thermoelectric generator may be arbitrarily installed at a position other than that. . From the viewpoint of improving the recovery efficiency of thermal energy, it is also preferable to provide an additional thermoelectric generator so as to face the side surface of the hot metal ladle P.

From the viewpoint of preventing the thermoelectric generator 4 from being damaged by the hot metal ladle P coming into contact with the thermoelectric generator 4, the hot metal ladle P supported by the hot metal ladle support portion 3 and the thermoelectric generator 4 are prevented from coming into contact with each other. A structure is preferred. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable to have a structure in which the bottom surface of the hot metal ladle P supported by the hot metal ladle support 3 and the thermoelectric generator 4 are separated from each other.

A general hot metal ladle has a substantially circular opening, and has a structure in which the diameter gradually decreases from the opening toward the bottom as shown in FIG. However, the hot metal ladle carrier of the present invention is not limited to the hot metal ladle having the structure described above, and can be used to transport any hot metal ladle with any structure.

Further, the hot metal ladle carrier 10 preferably has a cable for transmitting the generated electricity to a locomotive motor or the like, which will be described later.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the structure of the hot metal ladle carrier of the embodiment shown in FIG. In general, the hot metal ladle has a large opening diameter exceeding 4 m due to the need to transport a large amount of hot metal at one time. On the other hand, the distance between rails for railways is 1435 mm in the case of the most common standard gauge, which is smaller than the diameter of a hot metal ladle. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2 , the hot metal ladle P is supported and transported in a state of protruding left and right from the width of the body of the hot metal ladle carrier 10 .

Therefore, from the viewpoint of enhancing the recovery of thermal energy from the hot metal ladle P, the thermoelectric generator 4 can be installed in a state protruding from the left and right sides of the vehicle body 1, as shown in FIG. In other words, the width of the thermoelectric generator 4 can be made larger than the width of the vehicle body 1 . More specifically, the width of the thermoelectric generator 4 is preferably 0.8 times or more, more preferably 0.9 times or more, the diameter of the bottom of the hot metal ladle P. On the other hand, even if the width of the thermoelectric generator 4 is made excessively larger than the diameter of the bottom of the hot metal pot P, the energy recovery efficiency is saturated, resulting in lower cost effectiveness. Therefore, the width of the thermoelectric generator 4 is preferably 1.4 times or less, more preferably 1.2 times or less, the width of the bottom of the hot metal ladle P. Here, the "width" refers to the width in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (that is, running direction on the track) of the hot metal ladle carrier 10. As shown in FIG.

Further, as described above, a general hot metal ladle has a circular cross section, and its bottom is also substantially circular. Therefore, it is preferable to install the thermoelectric generator 4 within a substantially circular range so as to correspond to the bottom of the hot metal ladle. In that case, it is preferable to install the thermoelectric generator 4 in a substantially circular area having a diameter of 0.8 to 1.4 times the diameter of the bottom of the hot metal pot P.

In the present invention, since the thermoelectric generator is provided not on the hot metal ladle itself but on the carrier side, it is not necessary to prepare a thermoelectric generator for each hot metal ladle. In addition, thermoelectric power generation is possible simply by installing a thermoelectric generator on an existing hot metal ladle carrier. Therefore, it can be introduced at extremely low cost.

[Thermoelectric generator]
Any device can be used as the thermoelectric generator without particular limitation. The thermoelectric element included in the thermoelectric generator is not particularly limited, and any element having a function of thermoelectric generation can be used. A typical thermoelectric element has a structure in which a pair of p-type semiconductor and n-type semiconductor are combined. Examples of the thermoelectric element include BiTe-based, PbTe-based, Si—Ge-based, silicide-based, skutterudite-based, transition metal oxide-based, zinc antimony-based, boron compounds, clathrate compounds, cluster solids, zinc oxide-based , at least one material selected from the group consisting of carbon nanotubes.

A thermoelectric element can convert heat into electricity by creating a temperature differential between one side and the other side of the thermoelectric element. Therefore, by arranging the thermoelectric generator facing the hot metal ladle as a heat source, one side of the thermoelectric element (hot metal ladle side) becomes the "high temperature side" and the other side of the thermoelectric element becomes the "low temperature side." becomes. An electromotive force is generated due to the temperature difference between the high temperature side and the low temperature side.

The power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric generator increases as the temperature difference between the high temperature side and the low temperature side increases. Therefore, it is preferable that the thermoelectric power generating device includes heat dissipation means for reducing the temperature of the low temperature side of the thermoelectric element. By using the heat dissipation means, the low temperature side of the thermoelectric element can be efficiently cooled.

Any means can be used as the heat radiation means without any particular limitation. As the heat radiation means, it is preferable to use at least one selected from the group consisting of radiation fins, heat sinks, and heat exchangers. However, considering that it is mounted on a truck that runs on a track, it is preferable to use one or both of a heat radiation fin and a heat sink as the heat radiation means. In addition, since the body of the hot metal ladle carrier is generally made of metal, it is also preferable to make the body function as a heat sink by forming a structure in which the low temperature side of the thermoelectric element is in contact with the body.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the thermoelectric power generator includes heat receiving means. By using the heat receiving means, the heat from the heat source can be effectively received, and the power generation efficiency can be improved.

When installing the heat receiving means, the heat receiving means is exposed to heat from the heat source. Therefore, from the viewpoint of heat resistance, the material of the heat receiving means is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of metals (including alloys), ceramics, and carbon. Although the metal is not particularly limited, it is preferable to use, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of copper, copper alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys, and steel. The heat receiving means may be installed on the high temperature side of the thermoelectric element, that is, on the heat source side.

A heat conductive sheet can be provided at least one between the heat receiving means and the thermoelectric power generation module and between the heat dissipation means and the thermoelectric power generation module. By providing the heat-conducting sheet, it is possible to improve the thermoelectricity between members and further improve the efficiency of thermoelectric generation. The heat-conducting sheet is not particularly limited as long as it can be used in the environment in which the thermoelectric power generation module is used. For example, a sheet made of graphite can be used.

[Molding hot metal pan transportation vehicle]
Next, a hot metal ladle transporting train vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a hot metal ladle transporting vehicle 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. The hot metal ladle transporting vehicle 100 has the hot metal ladle transporting carriage 10 having the structure described above and the locomotive 20 connected to the hot metal ladle transporting trolley 10 .

Locomotives commonly used to transport hot metal pots are driven by diesel engines. A diesel engine is an engine that uses light oil or the like as fuel, and its exhaust gas contains CO ₂ that causes global warming and SO _x , NO _x that cause air pollution, and the like.

On the other hand, the locomotive 20 of the present invention has an electric motor 22 in addition to the diesel engine 21 . The electric motor 22 is electrically connected to the thermoelectric generator 4 of the hot metal ladle carrier 10 , and the electric power generated by the thermoelectric generator 4 can be used to drive the locomotive 20 . Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the amount of fuel used in the diesel engine 21 and the amount of CO ₂ , SO _x , NO _x and the like emitted, thereby reducing the environmental load.

For example, the area of the bottom of a general hot metal ladle is about 23 m ² . Assuming that the hot metal ladle temperature is about 600 to 800° C. and the output density of the thermoelectric generator is 0.45 W/cm ² , a power generation amount of about 100 kW can be expected. On the other hand, the output of the diesel engine of the locomotive used to pull the hot metal ladle carrier is usually about 350 kW. Therefore, by applying the present invention to the existing hot metal ladle transportation vehicle, about 30% of the output of the diesel engine can be covered by power generation by the thermoelectric generator. Therefore, it is also possible to use a smaller diesel engine.

As the motor, either a direct current motor or an alternating current motor can be used, but a direct current motor is preferably used. This is because the direct current motor can use the direct current supplied from the thermoelectric generator 100 or the storage battery 17 without converting it into alternating current. When using an AC motor, an inverter may be provided for converting DC to AC.

It is also preferred that the hot metal ladle transport train vehicle comprises control means for controlling said diesel engine and motor. Said control means may, for example, control the distribution of diesel engines and motors used to power the locomotive.

In addition, the hot metal ladle transport train usually runs on a track laid in the premises of a steelworks, but the track is generally not provided with an overhead wire for power supply. Therefore, it is also preferable to use part of the electric power generated by the thermoelectric generator for applications other than driving the locomotive, such as lighting and power supply to the control device of the locomotive.

Furthermore, it is also preferable that the locomotive further includes a storage battery electrically connected to the thermoelectric generator and the electric motor. If the locomotive is equipped with a storage battery, the electric power generated by the thermoelectric generator can be temporarily stored and used at any time. For example, electric power can be used even when no hot metal ladle is placed on the hot metal ladle carrier or when an empty hot metal ladle is being transported. When using a storage battery, it is preferable to also include an inverter for converting direct current discharged from the storage battery into alternating current.

The hot metal pot carrier 10 and the locomotive 20 are preferably connected by a coupler. Also, the cable 23 used for electrical connection between the thermoelectric generator 4 of the hot metal pot carrier 10 and the electric motor 22 of the locomotive 20 is separated into the hot metal pot carrier side cable and the locomotive side cable. A possible structure is preferable.

In FIG. 3 , one locomotive 20 pulls one hot metal ladle carrier 10 , but it is also possible to tow a plurality of hot metal ladle carriers 10 . In that case, it is preferable to electrically connect the motor of the locomotive with the thermoelectric generator of each hot metal ladle carrier.

[Method of transporting hot metal]
In one embodiment of the hot metal transportation method of the present invention, when the hot metal is transported by using the hot metal ladle transporting train, the hot metal ladle holding the hot metal inside is placed on the hot metal ladle support part of the hot metal transport vehicle. Then, the thermoelectric generator converts the heat from the hot metal pot into electric power, and at least part of the electric power is used to drive the electric motor.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 vehicle body 2 wheel 3 hot metal ladle support 4 thermoelectric generator 10 hot metal ladle carrier 20 locomotive 21 diesel engine 22 motor 23 cable 100 hot metal ladle transportation vehicle P hot metal ladle

Claims (4)

A hot metal pot carrier,
a locomotive coupled to the hot metal ladle carrier;
A molten iron transport train vehicle having a control means,
The hot metal pot carrier is
car body,
wheels for running on tracks,
a hot metal ladle support for supporting the hot metal ladle;
a thermoelectric generator installed on the vehicle body; and
A cable for transmitting power generated by the thermoelectric generator to the locomotive,
The locomotive has a diesel engine and an electric motor, and the electric motor is electrically connected to the thermoelectric generator of the hot metal pot carrier by the cable,
The control means controls distribution of the diesel engine and the electric motor used as power sources of the locomotive. The hot metal ladle transporting train vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric generator is arranged so as to face the bottom of the hot metal ladle supported by the hot metal ladle support. The hot metal ladle transporting train vehicle according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the locomotive further comprises a storage battery electrically connected to the thermoelectric generator and the electric motor. A hot metal transport method for transporting hot metal using the hot metal ladle transport formation vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
placing the hot metal ladle holding the hot metal inside on the hot metal ladle support portion of the hot metal transport truck;
Converting heat from the hot metal pot into electric power by the thermoelectric generator,
A method for transporting hot metal, wherein at least part of the electric power is used to drive the electric motor.

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