US3796420A

US3796420A - Steel conversion apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3796420A
Application number: US00239666A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Pearce
Original assignee: Pennsylvania Engineering Corp
Current assignee: Pennsylvania Engineering Corp
Priority date: 1972-03-30
Filing date: 1972-03-30
Publication date: 1974-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 1991-03-12
Also published as: GB1382383A; CA987902A; ZA732162B

Abstract

A vessel for converting molten ferrous metal to steel is pivotable about a horizontal axis and has bottom tuyeres which permit the blowing of oxygen and other gases upwardly through the molten metal. The tuyeres are arranged on a first metal plate attached to the vessel''s bottom refractory and the gas distribution system for coupling the tuyeres to a source of gas is coupled to a second plate for rapid attachment and detachment from the first plate.

Description

United States Patent 1 Pearce [73] Assignee: Pennsylvania Engineering Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pa.

[22] Filed: Mar. 30, 1972 [2]] Appl. No.: 239,666

[51] Int. Cl. C210 5/34 [58] Field of Search 266/36 P, 36 PP, 41, 35, 266/35 X, 36; 75/59, 60

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,977,108 3/1961 Cogelja et al 266/35 3,706,549 12/1912 Knuppel et a1. 3,330,645 7/1967 Moustier et 211.... 596,704 1/1898 Hartenstein 49,055 7/1865 Bessemer 266/36 [451 Mar. 12, 1974' 51,398 12/1865 Bessemer 266/34 51,401 12/1865 Bessemer 75/43 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 2,017,694 4/1971 Germany 75/60 Primary Examiner-Andrew R. Juhasz Assistant ,E xaminerW. R. Briggs Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fred Wiviott 57 7 V ABSTRACT A vessel for converting molten ferrous metal to steel is pivotable about a horizontal axis and has bottom tuyeres which permit the blowing of oxygen and other gases upwardly through the molten metal. The tuyeres V are arranged on afirst metal plate attached to the vessels bottom refractory and the gas distribution system for coupling the tuyeres to a source of gas is coupled to a second plate for rapid attachment and detachment from the first plate.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENIEnm 1 2 m4 3.796420 minors FIG.]

37 l s5 FIG-.3

memmmzzmu 3796x420 sum 2 or 3 PIC-3.2,

1 STEEL CONVERSION APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Bottom blown converter vessels have been developed for treating molten metal by the injection of oxygen through tuyeres located in the bottom of the vessel. In order to prolong the life of the vessels refractory, each of the oxygen tuyeres is surrounded by a second tuyere for injecting a hydrocarbon gas, such as propane. Such vessels normally include large numbers of such tuyeres each of which must be connected to the respective gas sources. Because the vessel bottom is consumed more rapidly than the remainder of the vessel, it becomes periodically necessary to change vessel bottoms. In order that costly equipment will not lie idle, the bottoms are fabricated away from the reactor site and are then assembled to the vessel in a generally assembled condi tion when required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The general object of the invention is to provide a tuyere assembly for a bottom blown converter vessel which permits rapid assembly and disassembly from the vessel.

This and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description thereof taken with theaccompanying drawings.

In general terms, the invention comprises aconverter vessel having a bottom tuyere system wherein the tu yeres are attached to a support member adapted to be secured to the vessel s refractory bottom and a gas distribution system attached to a second support member adapted to be mounted on the first support member wherein the piping system may be rapidly connected and disconnected from the individual tuyeres.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of a converter vessel having a tuyere system according to the present invention; and

FIG. 2 shows the tuyere system of the vessel illustrated in FIG. 1 in greater detail;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along lines 33 of FIG, 2; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of one of the tuyeres illustrated in FIG. 2, with parts broken away.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A bottom blown converter vessel as shown inFIG. 1 to include a metallic shell 11 and a refractory lining 12. A tuyere system 13 is provided at the lower end of the vessel to permit the injection of gases by means which will be described more fully below. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the converter vessels of the type illustrated are generally supported in a conventional manner on a trunnion ring 14 which has a trunnion 15 extending from each of its opposite sides. The trunnions 15 are suitably supported in a well known manner on hearing structures (not shown) and are coupled to a suitable drive mechanism (not shown) for tilting vessel 10 to each of a plurality of positions as may be required during a process cycle. A smoke hood 16 may be disposed above the open upper end of vessel 10 when the latter is in its vertical position shown in FIG. 1 to prevent the discharge of pollutants during operation of the vessel.

The tuyere system 13 is shown more specifically in FIGS. 2 and 3 to include a unitary refractory bottom structure 20 which is received against an opening 21 formed in the lower'wall of refractory lining 12. A first metallic plate 22 isprovided for supporting the individual tuyeres 23 as will be described more fully hereinbelow. A second metallic plate 25 is provided for supporting the gas distribution system 26. The plate 22 may be suitably secured to the underside of the vessel in any 1 manner well known in the art such as by bolts 27 which pass through suitable aligned openings in the periphery of plate 22 and in plate 28 affixed to the refractory structure 20. Similarly plate 25 may be secured to plate 22 in any suitable manner such as by pins 29 which are affixed to plate 25 and pass through openings 30 in plates 25 and are secured therein by wedges 31 received in slots 32.

The gas distribution system 26 includes an oxygen distributor 33 suitably coupled to a pipe 34 which in turn is connected to a source of oxygen and powdered materials which may be entrained :in the oxygen stream. The distributor 33 includes a cylindrical body into which the pipe 34 is connected at one side and adjacent its lower end to provide a vortex action and thereby insure mixing of the oxygen and entrained particles. A plurality of connecting pipes 35 connect the oxygen distributor 33 adjacent its upper end to the individual tuyeres 23, as will be discussed more fully below.

Gas distribution system 26 also includes a manifold pipe 36-for distributing a hydrocarbon gas, such as propane. Manifold 36 is connected to a suitable gas source through pipe 37 and to the individual tuyeres 23 by pipes 38. As indicated above the gas distribution system 26. including distributor 33 and manifold pipe 36 are suitably secured to plate 25.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the individual tuyeres 23 are shown to include an inner tuyere pipe 40 and an outer coaxial tuyere pipe 41 which is spaced from inner pipe 40. Inner pipe 40 may be connected to the oxygen pipe delivery 35 by a branch pipe 42 and an elbow connection 43. Outer tuyere pipe 41 may be coupled to manifold pipe 36 by coupling pipe 44, mixing chamber 45, coupling 46, pipe 47, and union 48.

Inner tuyere pipe 40 also passes through union 48 and has a reduced ,outer diameter which begins at the point of connection of outer tuyere pipe 41 with said union 48.

Nuts

50 and 52 respectively secure the

tuyere pipes

40 and 41 to the union 48 and to each other. In addition, outer tuyere pipe 41 is provided with a flange 54 intennediate its ends and having a plurality of spaced apart apertures 56 which are registerable with tapped holes 57 formed in plate 22. In this manner, the tuyere pipes 40 may be secured to plate 22 by means of bolts 58. The plate 25 to which distributor 33, the manifold pipe 36 and the pipes 35 are secured, has enlarged openings 60 which permit plate 25 to pass over the flange 54 and union 48 of each tuyere 23.

The gas distribution system 26 may be protected by a housing secured to the lower plate 25. Housing 70 is provided with an access door 71 which is hinged at 72 so that it may be opened by the removal of bolts '73 to permit disconnection of the

manifold pipes

37 and 34 from the tuyeres 23 prior to separation of the

plates

22 and 25.

In a manner which will now be discussed, the tuyere mounting arrangement permits the tuyeres 23 and distribution system 26 to be disassembled from the refractory bottom structure 20 and the latter removed for replacement. In addition, should any one or more of the

tuyere pipes

40 or 41 require replacement, this may be done on an individual basis or they may be removed for replacement along with the bottom structure 20. For example, should it become necessary to replace an inner tuyere pipe 40, nuts 52 of

unions

48 and 62 of elbow 43 are released which permits removal and replacement of inner tuyere pipe 40. A new tuyere pipe may then be substituted and nuts 52 and 62 tightened to couple the new tuyere pipe 40 to the system and mechanically hold it in place;

Should it become necessary to replace an individual outer .tuyere pipe 41 the inner tuyere 40 is first removed in the manner just discussed. Nuts 50 of union 48 and nut 63 of union 46 are released thereby permitting removal of the union 47. Nuts 54 are then released whereby outer tuyere pipe 40 may be removed from the refractory bottom structure 20 and a new tuyere pipe substituted in its place. The

tuyere pipes

40 and 41 are then remounted and reconnected to the gas distribution system by reversing the procedure just described.

If the bottom structure 20 is to be replaced along with all the

tuyere pipes

40 and 41, the latter are first disconnected from the distribution system 26. This is accomplished by releasing all the

nuts

62 and 63 of

unions

43 and 46, respectively. The wedge members 31 are then removed from each of the slots 32 and the plate 25 lowered away from the bottom 20 along with the distribution system 26 as the openings 60 pass over the tuyeres 23. The bottom may then be released from vessel along with the tuyeres 23. If, on the other hand, the tuyere assemblies 23 are to be removed along with the distribution system 26, all of the nuts 27 are released. This releases the bottom plate 22 from the refractory bottom structure 20. However,

plates

22 and 25 remain coupled permitting removal of the distribution assembly 26 and all of the tuyeres 23.

Another possibility is the removal of all of the inner tuyere pipes 40 along with the distribution system 26. In this event, all of the nuts 50 are released thus uncoupling the outer tuyere pipe 41 from the unions 48 whereby the plate 25 may be removed by the release of wedges 31. The outer tuyere pipes 41 remain in position on plate 22, however.

In certain instances, it may be desirable to replace either some or all of the inner and/or outer tuyere pipes along with the bottom structure 20. This can be done on a selective basis by allowing those to be replaced to remain coupled to the bottom structure and removing the

tuyere pipes

40 and 41 which do not need replacement along with the distribution system 26, by selectively releasing the

appropriate nuts

50, 52, 62, and 63.

It can be seen from the foregoing that the tuyere pipes may be replaced as required or they may be replaced in groups or entirely along with the bottom structure 20. In any event, the distribution system 26 need not be disassembled when the tuyere pipes are replaced either individually or in groups. The distribution system remains mounted on its separate plate 25 and may be retained as a unit for reconnection to the tuyeres 23 after the latter have been replaced either individually or with a new bottom structure 20. In addition, should the bottom 20 require replacement without replacement of some or all of the tuyeres 23, the latter may be retained in a coupled condition relative to the distribution system 26 for insertion into suitable openings in bottomstructure 20 after the latter has been repositioned. As a result, when a new bottom is to be replaced on the vessel, a substantial saving in time is possible because the number of connections between the distribution system 26 and the tuyeres 23 can be minimized. In addition, alignment problems between the tuyeres and the distribution system 26 are minimized because the latter remains in its assembled condition during a bottom replacement.

While only a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it is not intended to be limited thereby but only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A refractory lined vessel for treating molten metal,

an opening formed in the lower end said refractory lining,

refractory means disposed in said opening and substantially closing the same,

a plurality of passages formed through said refractory means and fromthe outside to the inside of said vessel,

a first metallic plate affixed to said refractory means,

a plurality of tuyere means extending through said first metallic plate and removably affixed thereto, one of said tuyere means extending through each of said passage means,

a second metallic plate,

means for securing said second metallic plate to said first metallic plate and on the side thereof away from said refractory means, and

gas distribution means mounted on said second metallic plate and including means for releasably coupling each of said tuyere means to said gas distribution means.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said tuyere means includes an inner tuyere pipe means and an outer tuyere pipe means,

said gas distribution means including a first gas distributing portion and first coupling means for releasably coupling said first gas distributing portion to each of said inner tuyere pipe means,

said gas distribution means including a second gas distributing portion and second coupling means for releasably coupling each of said outer tuyere pipe ma tL i -ssssn as-diSIL PBti LPQrtiQLtQ-a' second gas source.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3 and including first mounting means for mounting said inner tuyere pipe means within said outer tuyere pipe means in a concentric spaced relation and second mounting means for mounting said tuyere pipe means on said first metallic plate.

5. The combination .set forth in claim 4 wherein said first and second metallic plates have a plurality of aligned apertures, one of said tuyere means extending through each of said aligned openings.

6. The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein said first and second mounting means are separately releasable whereby said outer tuyere pipe may be released from said first metallic plate with said tuyere pipes coua 5 6 pled to each other or said inner tuyere pipe may be unsaid apertures in said second metallic plate being of" coupled from said outer tuyere pipe with the latter cua larger size than said tuyere means, whereby pied to sai fir m li pl said second metallic plate and said gas distribu- 7. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said i means a b emoved from said first first and second metallic plates have a plurality of 5 lli plate i h removing id were aligned apertures, one of said tuyere means extending means from Said first metallic plate. through each of said aligned apertures.

Claims

1. A refractory lined vessel for treating molten metal, an opening formed in the lower end said refractory lIning, refractory means disposed in said opening and substantially closing the same, a plurality of passages formed through said refractory means and from the outside to the inside of said vessel, a first metallic plate affixed to said refractory means, a plurality of tuyere means extending through said first metallic plate and removably affixed thereto, one of said tuyere means extending through each of said passage means, a second metallic plate, means for securing said second metallic plate to said first metallic plate and on the side thereof away from said refractory means, and gas distribution means mounted on said second metallic plate and including means for releasably coupling each of said tuyere means to said gas distribution means.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said tuyere means includes an inner tuyere pipe means and an outer tuyere pipe means, said gas distribution means including a first gas distributing portion and first coupling means for releasably coupling said first gas distributing portion to each of said inner tuyere pipe means, said gas distribution means including a second gas distributing portion and second coupling means for releasably coupling each of said outer tuyere pipe means to said second gas distribution means.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2 and including first means for connecting said first gas distributing means to a first gas source and second means for connecting said second gas distributing means to a second gas source.

5. The combination set forth in claim 4 wherein said first and second plate means have a plurality of aligned apertures, one of said tuyere means extending through each of said aligned openings.

6. The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein said first and second mounting means are separately releasable whereby said outer tuyere pipe may be released from said first metallic plate with said tuyere pipes coupled to each other or said inner tuyere pipe may be uncoupled from said outer tuyere pipe with the latter coupled to said first metallic plate.

7. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said first and second metallic plates have a plurality of aligned apertures, one of said tuyere means extending through each of said aligned openings, said apertures in said second plate being of a larger size than said tuyeres, whereby said second plate and said gas distribution means may be removed from said first plate without removing said tuyeres from said first plate.