JPH11302658A - Method for charging coal into coke oven and apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an economical method for charging coal into a coke oven whereby the deviation in bulk density and the difference in accumulation level of coal charged into a coke oven are made small; and the amt. of a gas blown into a charging apparatus and the frequency of cleaning the inside of the charging apparatus can be decreased and to provide an apparatus therefor. SOLUTION: An apparatus comprising a sealing lid 5 capable of intercepting the flow of coal carried into a coal-charging apparatus 3 from a transport pipe 2; a dispersing plate 6 for dispersing coal; a charge hole lid 7 capable of intercepting the flow of coal charged into a coke oven 1 from the coal-charging apparatus 3 and the flow of a gas from the coke oven 1 into the coal-charging apparatus 3; a shaft 8 which is equipped with the sealing lid 5, the dispersing plate 6, and the charge hole lid 7 and is movable up and down and rotatable; and a nozzle 9 for gas blowing is used. First, the shaft is moved up to open both the sealing lid and the charge hole lid, and the coal is charged while the dispersing plate is rotating; then, after the completion of coal charging, the shaft is moved down to close both the sealing lid and the charge hole lid; and a gas is blown into a space formed between the sealing lid and the charge hole lid to make the pressure of the space positive.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for charging coal in a coke oven, and more particularly, to a method and an apparatus for charging coal in a pneumatic conveying furnace of a coke oven.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a coke oven, a chamber oven type is generally used. Charging of coal into a room oven type coke oven (hereinafter also referred to as "coke oven" or simply "furnace") is not performed. However, in recent years, a method using a chain conveyor placed on a furnace and a method using airflow have been put to practical use.

[0003] In a charging method using a coal charging vehicle, coal that has been pulverized and adjusted is temporarily stored in a coal bunker arranged at the upper part of a furnace using a conveyor or the like, and coal for one kiln (carbonization chamber) is transferred from the coal bunker. Cut into the coal hopper of the coal charging vehicle, the charging vehicle loaded with coal travels on the furnace, moves to the charging target kiln, and charges the coal into the coking chamber using a cutting device such as a table feeder. This is a method and has problems such as dust generation during the transfer path of the coal, charging during charging, and environmental pollution due to leakage of gas generated in the furnace from the charging lid after charging.

On the other hand, as a charging method using a chain conveyor, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-6197, coal once stored in a coal bunker is cut out in a coal hopper for one kiln, and then loaded by a chain conveyor. This is a method of transferring coal to a kiln to be charged and charging coal into a carbonization chamber via a coal charging device, which eliminates the need for a coal charging vehicle, and also enables a reduction in time and labor.

[0005] In addition, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 57-26628, for example, a charging method based on airflow transport is a method in which coal once stored in a coal bunker placed on the ground or in a furnace is stored in a pressure vessel. This is a method in which the kiln is cut out, pressurized and fluidized with gas, and coal is charged into the charging target kiln via a transport pipeline.The coal can be transported in a sealed state, so environmental pollution due to dust generation during transport is reduced It has the advantage that it is suppressed and high-temperature coal such as preheated coal can be transported safely. Furthermore, as in the case of the charging method using a chain conveyor, a coal charging vehicle is not required, so that it is possible to further reduce time and labor.

[0006]

However, the following problems also exist in the above-mentioned chain conveyor and coal charging technology by air flow.

[0007] That is, the air flow transfer type of Japanese Patent Publication No. 57-2662
According to the means described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 8 (1994), the coal transported is charged into the furnace with inertia force, so that the bulk density of the coal deposited in the furnace has a large deviation and the deposition level tends to be uneven. . Furthermore, since the partition lid (closing body) between the coal charging device and the inside of the furnace is single, the gas generated in the furnace easily enters the inside of the coal charging device, and the charging line is easily contaminated by tar adhesion or the like. .

[0008] Chain conveyor type Japanese Patent Publication 3-6197
Means described in the publication, as a countermeasure for suppressing internal contamination of the coal charging device, measures the positive pressure inside the charging device by duplicating the partition lid and filling the inert gas, the gas generated in the furnace is the said Although it is a structure that is difficult to enter into the inside of the charging device, the partition lid and the seat have a structure in which the charging device is opened and cleaned manually, and the labor is great, and it is difficult to maintain the sealability. . Since the above-mentioned coal charging apparatus is installed by the number of furnace inlets (100 to 300 per furnace group), if the seal is incomplete, the amount of gas to be charged is enormous, which is uneconomical. In addition, the height of the apparatus is high because each of the dual lids has a drive shaft.Furthermore, when this coal charging apparatus is applied to charging by airflow, the solid-gas separator for transporting coal is used. Because it is set on this,
Further, the apparatus becomes a high-rise building, and the construction cost becomes high, which is not practical.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems in a pneumatic conveying type coal charging method, and to reduce the bulk density deviation and the accumulation level difference of coal charged in a coke oven and to reduce the amount of charged gas used. Another object of the present invention is to provide an economical coal charging method and a compact coal charging device that require less internal cleaning.

[0010]

The features of the structure of the present invention and the advantages thereof are as follows. (a) By providing a rotatable dispersion plate inside the coal loading device, the conveyed coal collides with the dispersion plate, is braked, and is dispersed and charged in the radial and circumferential directions of the dispersion plate. Therefore, the difference in bulk density and the difference in deposition level of the coal charged in the furnace can be reduced in the furnace length direction.

(B) By providing the charging lid, the dispersing plate and the sealing lid so as to penetrate a single shaft and provide them, the coal charging apparatus can be made compact.

(C) The gas is blown into a space formed between the seal lid and the charging lid to make the pressure positive, and the amount of the gas blown is adjusted while detecting the pressure to use the gas. The amount can be reduced.

(D) By providing a washer washing nozzle and a seat washer washing nozzle, it is possible to wash coal deposited or adhered to the washer or the seat without opening the coal charging device. It becomes possible. In addition, maintenance of the sealing property is facilitated, and the amount of the gas used is reduced.

The present invention is based on the above configuration, and the gist is as follows. (1) A pneumatic conveying type coal charging method for charging coal into a coke oven, wherein a seal lid capable of blocking the flow of coal conveyed from a transportation pipe to a coal charging device, and dispersing the coal A dispersing plate capable of rotating the coke oven, a flow of coal charged from the charging device into the coke oven, and a flow of gas generated in the furnace from the coke oven to the charging device. With the lid, the seal lid, the shaft on which the dispersion plate and the charging lid are mounted, and the configuration of the gas blowing nozzle, first, the shaft is raised to open the sealing lid and the charging lid,
The coal is charged while rotating the dispersion plate, and then, after the coal charging is completed, the shaft is lowered to close the sealing lid and the charging lid, and further between the sealing lid and the charging lid. A method for charging coal in a coke oven, wherein a gas is blown into a space to be formed to make the space positive.

(2) A pneumatic conveying type coal charging apparatus for charging coal into a coke oven, comprising: a seal lid capable of blocking a flow of coal conveyed from a transportation pipe to the charging apparatus; A rotatable dispersion plate for dispersing coal, a flow of coal charged from the charging device to the coke oven, and a flow of gas generated in the furnace from the coke oven to the charging device are cut off. A gas supply is blown into a space formed between the seal lid and the charging lid, a shaft capable of moving up and down mounted with the sealing lid, the dispersion plate, and the charging lid. A coal injection device for a coke oven, comprising: a gas injection nozzle for pressurization.

(3) The coal charging apparatus for a coke oven according to the above (1), wherein the shaft is configured to be rotatable. (4) The coal loading of the coke oven according to the above (2) or (3), wherein the sealing lid and the charging lid have a downward convex surface, and the dispersion plate has an upward convex surface. Input device.

(5) A pressure detector for measuring the pressure in a space formed between the seal lid and the charging lid, and a pressure regulating valve for adjusting the flow rate of the blowing gas based on the detected pressure are provided. The coal charging apparatus for a coke oven according to any one of the above modes (2) to (4), characterized in that:

(6) A washer cleaning nozzle for cleaning coal deposited or adhered on the washer facing the loading lid, and / or cleaning the coal deposited or adhered on the seal seat facing the seal lid. A coal charging apparatus for a coke oven according to any one of the above modes (2) to (5), further comprising a seal seat washing nozzle for mounting the same.

In the above (1) and (2), “positive pressure” means that the internal pressure of the space formed between the sealing lid and the charging lid is higher than the pressure inside the coke oven. Refers to the state. In the above (1) and (2), the “rotation” may be a one-way rotation or a forward / reverse rotation.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A coal charging apparatus for a coke oven according to the present invention has a seal lid capable of blocking a flow of coal conveyed from a transportation pipe to the charging apparatus, and a seal lid for dispersing the coal. A dispersing plate capable of rotation, a charging lid capable of cutting off a flow of coal charged from the charging device to the coke oven and a flow of a gas generated in the furnace from the coke oven to the charging device. A shaft capable of moving up and down with the seal lid, the dispersion plate and the charging lid mounted thereon, and a gas blowing nozzle for blowing gas into a space formed between the sealing lid and the charging lid to make the pressure positive. It is characterized by having.

According to the method of the present invention, the above-configured apparatus is operated as follows. That is, first, while raising the shaft and opening the seal lid and the charging lid, charging coal into the furnace while rotating the dispersion plate, and then, after completing the charging of the coal, lowering the shaft. Then, the seal lid and the charging lid are closed, and a gas is blown into a space formed between the sealing lid and the charging lid to make positive pressure.

Hereinafter, the structure and operation of the apparatus according to the present invention will be described. a. By providing the seal lid, the flow of coal conveyed from the transport pipe to the coal charging device (hereinafter, also referred to as “charging device”) can be blocked. Furthermore, a space formed between the seal lid and a charging lid described later can be used as a means for preventing leakage of generated gas in the furnace, and by blowing a gas such as nitrogen gas into the space to make it positive pressure, Leakage of gas generated inside the furnace to the outside of the furnace can be suppressed. In order to prevent leakage of gas to be blown, the seal lid preferably has a downwardly convex surface. More preferably, it is a downward conical surface. Further, it is preferable that the surface of the seal seat facing the seal lid is an upward concave surface that matches the downward convex surface of the seal lid. The surface where the seal lid and the seal seat are in contact is preferably a metal surface. Further, from the viewpoint of sealing properties, it is desirable that the seal lid be slid and rotated after being closed, and the coal adhering to the seal seat is crushed and the contact between the seal lid and the seal seat is further improved.

B. By providing the dispersing plate, the conveyed coal collides with the dispersing plate and is braked to be in a state of gravity charging, and further, by rotating the dispersing plate, is dispersed in the radial direction and the circumferential direction of the dispersing plate. Therefore, the bulk density deviation and the accumulation level difference of the coal charged in the furnace can be reduced in the furnace length direction. The dispersion plate is
Preferably, it has an upwardly convex surface. More preferably,
The angle θ (see FIG. 1) between the upwardly convex surface and the axis is 3
It is about 5 ° C to 55 ° C. The area of the gap between the dispersing plate and the lower casing of the charging device should be at least equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the inlet chute of the charging device, and preferably 1.5 times or more, so that coal can be smoothly charged without clogging. can do. In addition, as a material of the dispersion plate, a general heat-resistant steel plate may be used even when high-temperature coal is charged. It is preferable to take measures such as sticking.

C. By providing the charging lid, it is possible to cut off the flow of coal from the charging device to the furnace and the flow of gas generated in the furnace from the furnace to the charging device. Since the charging lid receives the heat of 1,000 ° C. inside the coke oven, it is composed of a metal such as heat-resistant cast iron and a refractory such as refractory mortar. From the viewpoint of sealing properties, the loading lid preferably has a downwardly convex surface. More preferably, it is a downward conical surface. The surface of the washer facing the loading lid is preferably an upwardly concave surface that matches the downwardly convex surface of the loading lid. The surface where the loading lid and the washer are in contact is preferably a metal surface. Furthermore, it is desirable that the loading lid slides and rotates after being closed, and the coal adhering to the washer is crushed to improve the contact between the washer and the loading lid.

D. By providing the gas injection nozzle, the space formed between the seal lid and the charging lid is made positive pressure with gas, and the flow of gas generated in the furnace to the charging device can be effectively shut off. . General-purpose gas such as compressed air or nitrogen can be used as the gas to be blown in steelworks.However, if you want to prevent oxygen from entering the furnace for safety reasons, use an inert gas such as nitrogen. Is preferred. The level of the positive pressure is determined by the furnace pressure (0 to +0.
It is desirable that the pressure be higher than 1 kPa) by about 1 to 3 kPa. The furnace pressure refers to a pressure difference from the atmospheric pressure (furnace pressure-atmospheric pressure). Further, in order to prevent the gas injection nozzle from being clogged, it is desirable that the nozzle be mounted above the lower casing where the coal does not directly collide.

E. By providing a vertically movable shaft equipped with a seal lid, a dispersion plate and a loading lid, the loading device can be made compact. Further, it is desirable that the shaft is rotatable, so that the charging device is simple and more compact, and the seal lid and the charging lid can be rotated.
It is desirable to provide a shaft rest frame or the like in response to coal collision. Further, a shaft sealing mechanism is provided in a through portion of the shaft in the upper casing of the charging device.

F. By providing a pressure detector that measures the pressure in the space formed between the seal lid and the charging lid, and a pressure regulating valve that regulates the flow rate of the blown gas by the detected pressure, the positive pressure level is increased. Can be adjusted to an appropriate range, and the gas usage can be reduced. It is desirable to use a diaphragm type pressure gauge as the pressure detector in order to prevent erroneous detection due to powder. In addition, the volume of the above space is 200 to 400 t / h from the stability of the positive pressure control.
Approximately 1 m in the case of a charging device capable of charging coal
^{About 3} or more is sufficient.

G. By providing a washer cleaning nozzle,
As a washer cleaning nozzle, it is attached around the outer cylinder connected to the washer and has a simple structure that blows gas to the washer through a slit provided in the outer cylinder. Deposited or deposited coal can be cleaned. In addition, in order to secure the injection force by reducing the amount of gas, the slit width is 0.5 to 1.0 mm.
It is desirable to be about. It is desirable that the slit angle be parallel to the upper surface of the washer.

H. By providing the seal seat cleaning nozzle, the seal seat nozzle is attached to the upper casing and has a simple structure that blows gas to the seal seat through a slit provided in the upper casing, without opening the coal charging device to the seat seat. Deposited or deposited coal can be cleaned. The slit width is 0.5-1.0m
m, and the slit angle is desirably parallel to the upper surface of the seal seat.

The gas used for cleaning the washer and the seal seat may be compressed air, but is preferably an inert gas such as nitrogen gas from the viewpoint of safety. The washing of the washer and the seal seat described above is performed before charging of the coal is completed and before the sealing lid and the charging lid are closed. It is desirable to carry out.

Further, by providing a sealing mechanism for sealing a gap between the charging outer cylinder and the lower casing, a gland packing is inserted into the gap between the lower casing and the charging outer cylinder, and the gland is pressed by a gland press. With a simple structure that compresses the packing, leakage of the blown gas can be effectively suppressed.

[0032]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state during charging of coal in the configuration of the example of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state of coking dry distillation after completion of charging of the present invention in FIG. It is. 1 and 2, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a coke oven, reference numeral 2 denotes a transport pipe of a coal gas flow transport line, and reference numeral 3 denotes a coal charging apparatus of the present invention. The carrier gas is separated in the coke oven 4 and charged into the coke oven 1 via the coal charging device 3. In addition, as the solid-gas separator 4, a separator using an inertial force as shown in FIG. 1 or a separator using a centrifugal force such as a cyclone type is used.

The method of the present invention comprises a sealing lid 5 capable of blocking the flow of coal conveyed from the transport pipe 2 to the coal charging device 3 and a rotatable dispersion plate 6 for dispersing the coal.
A charging lid 7 capable of cutting off a flow of coal charged into the furnace 1 from the charging device 3 and a flow of gas generated in the furnace from the furnace 1 to the charging device 3; A vertically movable and rotatable shaft 8 equipped with a lid 5, a dispersion plate 6, and a charging lid 7,
First, as shown in FIG. 1, the shaft 8 is raised and the sealing lid 5 and the charging lid
And charging the coal while rotating the dispersion plate 6 by the rotation of the shaft 8, and then, after the completion of the charging of the coal,
As shown in FIG. 2, the shaft 8 is lowered to
The upper casing 3b and the outlet chute 3d are respectively closed by the charging lid 7 and nitrogen gas is blown into the space formed between the sealing lid 5 and the charging lid 7 by the gas blowing nozzle 9 so as to be positive. Pressurize.

In FIG. 1, a coal charging device 3 includes an inlet chute 3a, an upper casing 3b, and a lower casing 3c.
And a sealing lid 5 having a downwardly convex surface 5a capable of blocking the flow of coal carried into the charging device 3 from the transport pipe 2 and an outlet chute 3d. Dispersion plate 6 having upward convex surface 6a
Charging having a downwardly convex surface 7a capable of cutting off the flow of coal charged into the furnace 1 from the charging device 3 and the flow of gas generated in the furnace from the furnace 1 to the charging device 3 A lid 7 and a gas injection nozzle 9 for blowing nitrogen gas into a space formed between the seal lid 5 and the charging lid 7 to make the pressure positive, and further include a furnace top at the top of the furnace 1 A charging outer cylinder 12 connected to a washer 11 provided on the brick 10 and a sealing mechanism 13 for sealing a gap between the lower casing 3c of the charging device 3 and the charging outer cylinder 12 are provided.

The sealing lid 5, the dispersion plate 6, and the charging lid 7
Is mounted so as to penetrate one shaft 8, and the shaft 8 penetrates the upper casing 3b and is directly connected to the driving device 14. Accordingly, the sealing lid 5, the dispersion plate 6, and the loading lid 7 can be raised and lowered and rotated by the raising and lowering and rotating operations of the shaft 8.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sealing lid 5 has a conical downwardly convex surface 5a, which is opened when the shaft 8 is raised and is lowered when the shaft 8 is lowered.
And is closed by contact with the seal seat 15 having the shape. Further, the rotation of the shaft 8 makes contact with the seal seat 15 and enables sliding rotation.

The dispersion plate 6 has a conical upward convex surface 6a, and the coal colliding with the dispersion plate 6 is dispersed by the rotation of the dispersion plate 6, and the coal is dispersed through the gap between the dispersion plate 6 and the lower casing 3c. It is designed to be charged into the furnace.

The loading lid 7 has a downwardly convex surface 7a of a cone. The shaft 8 is opened when the shaft 8 rises, and closed by contacting with a washer 11 having an upwardly concave surface 11a of the cone as it descends. The shaft 8 is in contact with the washer 11 by the rotation of the shaft 8 to enable sliding rotation.

The gas injection nozzle 9 is attached to the lower casing 3c, and includes a pressure detector 16 and a pressure regulating valve 17
Thus, the system can detect the gas pressure in the space and adjust the flow rate of the blown gas. The flow rate of the blown gas can be further reduced by detecting the internal pressure of the coke oven and performing control to keep the pressure difference from the gas pressure in the space constant.

The seal mechanism 13 has a structure in which a gland packing 18 is inserted into a gap between the outer casing 12 connected to the washer 11 and the lower casing 3c, and the gland packing 18 is compressed by a gland presser 19. I have.

The washer cleaning nozzle 20 is attached to the charging outer cylinder 12, and has a structure in which nitrogen gas can be injected into the washer 11 through the slit 22 provided in the charging outer cylinder 12 by operating the washer cleaning valve 21. ing.

The seal seat cleaning nozzle 23 is attached to the upper casing 3b, and is operated by operating the seal seat cleaning valve 24 to form a slit 25 provided in the upper casing 3b.
Through which the nitrogen gas can be injected into the seal seat 15.

[0044]

As described above, according to the apparatus and method of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. (1) By providing and rotating a dispersion plate inside the coal charging apparatus, it is possible to make the bulk density deviation and the deposition level difference of the coal charged in the coke oven small.

(2) By mounting the loading lid, the dispersion plate, and the sealing lid on a single shaft that can be moved up and down and rotated,
The height of the coal charging equipment can be reduced, and a coke plant can be constructed at low cost.

(3) The dual effect of the lid and the positive pressure inside the coal charging apparatus can prevent the heat inside the furnace from affecting the inside and the gas generated in the furnace from entering the inside, thereby preventing the heat from flowing out of the furnace. It is possible to prevent air pollution due to leaks and contamination of the charging pipeline due to tar adhesion and the like.

(4) Washing and removing the coal deposited and deposited on the washer and the seal seat before closing the charging lid and the sealing lid, and / or after closing the charging lid and the sealing lid,
By sliding and rotating, the sealing property can be maintained for a long period of time, and furthermore, after the coal charging, the amount of the blowing gas used can be greatly reduced by adjusting the blowing gas flow rate while detecting the internal pressure of the coal charging device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a coal charging apparatus, showing a state during coal charging.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a state of the coal charging apparatus of FIG. 1 at the time of coke carbonization after completion of coal charging.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Coke oven 2: Transport piping 3: Coal charging device 3a: Inlet chute 3b: Upper casing 3c: Lower casing 3d: Outlet chute 4: Solid-gas separator 5: Seal lid 5a, 7a: Downward convex surface 6: Dispersion plate 6a: upward convex surface 7: charging lid 8: shaft 9: gas injection nozzle 10: furnace top brick 11: washer 11a, 15a: upward concave surface 12: charging outer cylinder 13: sealing mechanism 14: driving device 15: Seal seat 16: Pressure detector 17: Pressure control valve 18: Gland packing 19: Ground presser 20: Washer washing nozzle 21: Washer washing valve 22, 25: Slit 23: Seal washer washing nozzle 24: Seal washer washing valve

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A pneumatic conveying type coal charging method for charging coal into a coke oven, comprising: a seal lid capable of blocking a flow of coal conveyed from a transportation pipe to a coal charging device; A rotatable dispersion plate for dispersing the gas, a flow of coal charged from the charging device to the coke oven and a flow of a gas generated in the furnace from the coke oven to the charging device can be shut off A charging lid, the seal lid, a shaft equipped with a dispersion plate and a charging lid, by the configuration of the gas blowing nozzle,
First, while raising the shaft to open the seal lid and the charging lid, charging the coal while rotating the dispersion plate, and then, after completing the charging of the coal, lowering the shaft to lower the sealing lid. A method for charging coal in a coke oven, comprising closing a charging lid and blowing a gas into a space formed between the sealing lid and the charging lid to make the space positive. 2. A pneumatic conveying type coal charging apparatus for charging coal into a coke oven, comprising: a seal lid capable of blocking a flow of coal conveyed from a transportation pipe to the charging apparatus; A rotatable dispersion plate for dispersing the gas, and a flow of coal charged from the charging device to the coke oven and a flow of gas generated in the furnace from the coke oven to the charging device can be shut off. Gas, into a space formed between the sealing lid and the charging lid, and a shaft capable of ascending and descending with the sealing lid, the dispersion plate, and the charging lid mounted thereon. A coal injection device for a coke oven, comprising: 3. The coal charging apparatus for a coke oven according to claim 2, wherein the shaft is configured to be rotatable. 4. A coal charging apparatus for a coke oven according to claim 2, wherein the seal lid and the charging lid have a downward convex surface, and the dispersion plate has an upward convex surface. 5. A pressure sensor for measuring a pressure in a space formed between a seal lid and a charging lid, and a pressure adjusting valve for adjusting a flow rate of a blowing gas based on the detected pressure. The coal charging apparatus for a coke oven according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: 6. A washer cleaning nozzle for cleaning coal deposited or adhered on the washer facing the charging lid, and / or
6. A coke oven according to claim 2, further comprising a seal seat cleaning nozzle for washing coal deposited or adhered on the seal seat facing the seal lid. apparatus.