WO2020255465A1

WO2020255465A1 - Electrolytic smelter

Info

Publication number: WO2020255465A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/001711
Authority: WO
Inventors: 信喜宇多; 小城　育昌; 野間　彰
Original assignee: 三菱重工業株式会社
Priority date: 2019-06-21
Filing date: 2020-01-20
Publication date: 2020-12-24
Also published as: CN114040987A; CN114040987B; JP2021001368A; JP7377633B2

Abstract

The present invention comprises: a furnace into which iron ore is introduced; a furnace floor electrode provided on the furnace floor inside the furnace; and a plurality of upper electrodes that are provided above the furnace floor electrode inside the furnace and have an electrode that electro-refines molten iron ore. At least one of the upper electrodes is a melting electrode that has a heating section inside the electrode main body that heats and melts iron ore to make molten iron ore. As a result, operation of the electrolytic smelter can start smoothly.

Description

Electrorefining furnace

The present invention relates to an electrolytic refining furnace.
The present application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-115566 filed in Japan on June 21, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

For example, heat treatment using a blast furnace or converter has been widely used as a technique for refining iron ore. In this method, iron ore as a metal material and coke as a reducing agent are burned in a furnace. In the furnace, carbon contained in coke deprives iron of oxygen to generate heat, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. The heat of reaction melts the iron ore and produces pig iron. Then, pure iron is obtained by removing oxygen and impurities from pig iron.

Here, since the above method requires a large amount of carbon including coke, the amount of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide generated increases. With the stricter air pollution countermeasures in recent years, refining technology that suppresses the amount of gas containing these carbons is required. An example of such a technique is the electrolytic refining method described in Patent Document 1 below.

In the electrolytic refining method, a voltage is applied inside a furnace having a flat furnace bottom with molten iron ore interposed between the bottom electrode and the upper electrode. As a result, the molten electrolyte containing the slag component is deposited on the upper electrode side, and molten iron (pure iron) is deposited on the furnace bottom electrode side. As an upper electrode, a metal material containing iron, chromium, vanadium, and tantalum is used as an example. As shown in FIG. 21, the upper electrodes T have a rod shape extending in the vertical direction, and are generally arranged in a grid pattern at intervals in the horizontal plane. As the furnace bottom electrode, a metal material made of molybdenum is used as an example.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,764962

However, in the above electrolytic refining method, the amount of heat radiated through the wall surface of the furnace is large. Moreover, since iron ore before melting is not energized, electrodes for electrolytic refining cannot be used. For this reason, it may be difficult to uniformly melt the iron ore charged into the furnace at the start of refining. This hinders the smooth start of operation of the electrolytic refining furnace.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electrolytic refining furnace capable of smoothly starting operation.

The electrolytic smelting furnace according to one aspect of the present invention has a furnace body into which iron ore is introduced, a bottom electrode provided on the bottom of the furnace body, and above the bottom electrode in the furnace body. A plurality of provided upper electrodes are provided, and at least one of the upper electrodes is an electrode for electrolytic kneading that electrolytically smelts molten iron ore by being energized between the upper electrodes and the bottom electrode. The electrode for melting is provided inside the electrode for electrolytic kneading, and has a heating portion for heating and melting the iron ore to obtain the molten iron ore.

According to the above configuration, iron ore can be heated and melted by the heating portion of the melting electrode prior to electrolytic refining. Thereby, molten iron ore can be easily produced. Further, since this heating portion is provided inside the electrode for electrolytic kneading, the size and physique of the electrode for melting can be suppressed to a small size. This makes it possible to further increase the degree of freedom in arranging the upper electrodes.

In the electrolytic smelting furnace, the heating portion is inserted into a tubular torch body arranged on the inner peripheral surface of a through hole formed in the electrolytic smelting electrode and the inner peripheral side of the torch body. In the state before the iron ore is melted, the iron ore is melted by a plasma jet formed by energizing between the torch body and the plasma torch electrode. May be good.

According to the above configuration, in the state before the iron ore is melted, a plasma jet is formed by energizing between the torch body and the plasma torch electrode. This plasma jet can efficiently melt iron ore.

In the electrolytic refining furnace, when the iron ore has begun to melt, the heated portion is formed by energizing between the plasma torch electrode and the bottom electrode of the furnace, and the molten iron ore is formed by a plasma jet. May be heated.

According to the above configuration, when the iron ore begins to melt, a plasma jet is formed by energizing between the plasma torch electrode and the furnace bottom electrode. With this plasma jet, the iron ore that has begun to melt can be further melted to raise the temperature and homogenize it.
Further, even when the molten iron ore is solidified due to, for example, interruption of work, it can be melted again by the heating unit. As a result, the electrolytic refining work can be resumed immediately.

In the electrolytic smelting furnace, a refining power supply unit for applying a voltage between the furnace bottom electrode and the upper electrode, and the refining power supply unit are provided independently of the furnace bottom electrode and the plasma torch. A start-up power supply unit for applying a voltage between the electrodes may be further provided.

Here, the required voltage is larger at the start of operation (that is, when melting iron ore) than at the time of refining. According to the above configuration, the refining power supply unit and the startup power supply unit are provided independently. Therefore, for example, as compared with a configuration in which the refining power supply unit and the startup power supply unit are not independent, it is possible to suppress fluctuations in the voltage generated by each power supply unit. As a result, the electrolytic refining furnace can be operated more stably.

In the electrolytic refining furnace, the heating unit may melt the iron ore by a flame formed by a mixed gas containing hydrogen in a state before the iron ore is melted.

According to the above configuration, iron ore can be easily and quickly heated and melted by supplying a combustion gas containing hydrogen from a cylindrical pipe and forming a flame by the combustion gas.

In the electrolytic refining furnace, in the state where the iron ore has begun to melt, the heating unit may stir the molten iron ore by extinguishing a mixed gas containing hydrogen and supplying it to the molten iron ore. Good.

According to the above configuration, the molten iron ore can be agitated by supplying the mixed gas used for melting the iron ore to the molten iron ore in a flame-extinguished state. This makes it possible to homogenize the molten iron ore. Further, since it is not necessary to provide a dedicated device for stirring, the configuration of the device can be simplified. As a result, manufacturing costs and operating costs can be reduced.

In the electrolytic refining furnace, at least one of the upper electrodes may be formed with an input hole portion that guides the iron ore to the furnace body by penetrating the upper electrode in the vertical direction.

According to the above configuration, iron ore can be smoothly charged into the furnace body through the charging hole. In addition, since the input hole is formed in a part of the upper electrode, the number of upper electrodes and the installation density can be increased as compared with the case where the input port for iron ore is separately provided. ..

In the electrolytic refining furnace, the furnace body has a discharge recess that is recessed further downward from the bottom of the furnace, a discharge path that connects the discharge recess and the outside, and an opening / closing portion that opens and closes the discharge path. , May be further provided.

According to the above configuration, the molten iron produced by electrolytic refining can be easily taken out to the outside of the furnace body through the discharge recess and the discharge path. In particular, since the discharge path is provided with an opening / closing portion, the molten iron can be taken out more easily only by opening the opening / closing portion.

In the electrolytic refining furnace, the discharge passage is provided above the bottom surface of the discharge recess, and the portion of the discharge recess below the discharge passage is an outer periphery that covers the lower portion from the outside. A heating device may be provided.

According to the above configuration, since the discharge path is provided above the bottom surface of the discharge recess, the components containing impurities are precipitated on the bottom surface side, and only the components containing no impurities are taken out by the discharge path. Can be done. Further, the portion below the discharge path is covered from the outside by the outer peripheral heating device. Therefore, for example, the component solidified in the discharge recess when the work is interrupted can be immediately melted when the work is restarted. This makes it possible to operate the electrolytic smelting furnace more smoothly.

In the electrolytic refining furnace, the discharge path heating is provided in the discharge path and the viscosity is changed by heating the molten iron ore flowing through the discharge path or the refractory material having conductivity and forming the flow path. Further units may be provided.

According to the above configuration, the viscosity of the molten iron ore changes when the discharge path heating unit heats the molten iron ore flowing through the discharge path or the refractory material having conductivity and forming the flow path. As a result, the fluidity of the molten iron ore is changed, and the flow rate can be adjusted to a desired value.

In the electrolytic refining furnace, a slag discharge path penetrating the side wall of the furnace body, a slag provided in the slag discharge path and flowing through the slag discharge path, or a refractory material having conductivity and forming a flow path. A slag discharge path heating unit that changes the viscosity by heating the slag may be further provided.

According to the above configuration, the viscosity of the slag changes when the slag discharge path heating unit heats the slag that flows through the slag discharge path or the refractory material that has conductivity and forms the flow path. As a result, the fluidity of the slag is changed, and the flow rate can be adjusted to a desired value.

In the electrolytic refining furnace, the furnace body further includes a charging section for guiding the iron ore charged from the outside to the furnace body, and the furnace bottom horizontally faces from the charging section to the discharging recess. The height position may change downward according to the above.

According to the above configuration, the height position of the furnace bottom changes downward from the input portion toward the discharge recess. As a result, the molten iron ore and the reduced molten iron can be naturally flowed toward the discharge recess. As a result, the molten iron can be taken out to the outside more easily.

In the electrolytic refining furnace, the discharge path is provided on the bottom surface of the discharge recess, and the furnace body further includes a stirring gas supply unit that supplies gas into the molten iron ore upward from the bottom surface. You may prepare.

According to the above configuration, the molten iron ore in the discharge recess and the reduced molten iron can be agitated by the stirring gas supply unit. Thereby, the molten iron ore and the molten iron can be further homogenized.

The electrolytic refining furnace may be further provided with an auxiliary heating unit provided on at least one of the upper side and the lower side of the furnace body to keep the molten iron ore warm.

According to the above configuration, since the auxiliary heating unit is provided, the molten iron ore in the furnace body can be maintained in a molten state without coagulation.

In the electrolytic refining furnace, the separation distance detecting unit that detects the separation distance between the upper electrode and the upper surface of the molten iron ore, and the upper electrode so that the separation distance becomes a predetermined constant value. An electrode moving portion for moving in the vertical direction may be further provided.

Here, in order to perform electrolytic refining stably, it is necessary to keep the voltage applied between the upper electrode and the upper surface of the molten iron ore as constant as possible. On the other hand, as the electrolytic refining progresses, the amount of molten iron that is reduced increases, and the upper surface of the molten iron ore moves upward. Further, the voltage between the upper electrode and the upper surface of the molten iron ore depends on the separation distance between the two. According to the above configuration, the upper electrode can be moved by the electrode moving portion so that the separation distance between the upper electrode and the upper surface of the molten iron ore becomes a constant value. As a result, the voltage applied between the upper electrode and the molten iron ore can be kept constant. As a result, electrolytic refining can be performed more stably.

The electrolytic refining furnace further includes a chamber in which a space is formed and a vacuum pump that creates a vacuum state in the space. The upper electrode penetrates the upper electrode in the vertical direction and is described in the upper electrode. A through hole communicating with the space may be formed.

According to the above configuration, the slag can be sucked up into the chamber in a vacuum state through the through hole formed in the upper electrode. Thereby, the slag and the molten iron can be separated more easily.

The electrolytic refining furnace may further include a sedimentation gas supply unit for sedimenting the iron ore floating between the upper electrodes by supplying gas between the upper electrodes from above.

Here, it is known that when electrolytic refining is performed, iron ore gradually becomes finer as it melts and floats near the liquid surface. According to the above configuration, the settling gas supply unit can settle the iron ore floating between the upper electrodes. This makes it possible to further homogenize the molten iron ore.

In the electrolytic refining furnace, a settling mechanism portion provided between the upper electrodes and advancing and retreating toward the inside of the furnace body to settle the iron ore floating between the upper electrodes is further provided. You may prepare.

Here, it is known that when electrolytic refining is performed, iron ore gradually becomes finer as it melts and floats near the liquid surface. According to the above configuration, the settling mechanism can settle the iron ore floating between the upper electrodes. This makes it possible to further homogenize the molten iron ore.

In the electrolytic refining furnace, at least one of the melting electrodes is formed with a peripheral charging portion that guides the iron ore to the peripheral edge portion in the furnace body, and the furnace bottom electrode and the upper electrode. May be further provided with a peripheral heating portion for heating and melting the iron ore derived from the peripheral charging portion.

Here, since heat is dissipated to the outside through the wall surface of the furnace body at the peripheral portion inside the furnace body, it may be difficult for the iron ore to melt as compared with other regions. According to the above configuration, iron ore can be supplied to the peripheral portion in the furnace body through the peripheral charging portion. Further, the peripheral heating portion can heat and melt this iron ore. This makes it possible to further promote the homogenization of molten iron ore in the furnace body.

The electrolytic smelting furnace according to one aspect of the present invention is above the furnace body into which iron ore is introduced, the bottom electrode provided on the bottom of the furnace body, and the bottom electrode in the furnace body. The furnace body includes a plurality of provided upper electrodes, and the furnace body has a discharge recess that is recessed further downward from the bottom of the furnace, a discharge path that connects the discharge recess and the outside, and the discharge path. It is provided with an opening / closing part that opens / closes.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electrolytic refining furnace capable of smoothly starting operation.

It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the electrolytic refining furnace which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the structure of the electrorefining furnace which concerns on 1st Embodiment in this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the plasma torch which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state before iron ore melts. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the plasma torch which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which iron ore started to melt. It is an enlarged sectional view of the electrode for melting which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state before iron ore is melted. It is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the electrode for melting which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which iron ore started to melt. It is an enlarged sectional view of the electrode for melting which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged sectional view of the electrode for melting which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the furnace body which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the electrolytic refining furnace which concerns on 6th Embodiment of this invention, and the electric power system. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the electrolytic refining furnace which concerns on 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the electrolytic refining furnace which concerns on 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the electrolytic refining furnace which concerns on 8th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the discharge path heating part and the slag discharge path heating part which concerns on 8th Embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged sectional view of the main part which shows the structure of the electrolytic refining furnace which concerns on 9th Embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged sectional view of the main part which shows the structure of the electrode for melting which concerns on the tenth embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged sectional view of the main part which shows the modification of the electrode for melting which concerns on the tenth embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the electrolytic refining furnace which concerns on 11th Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the electrolytic refining furnace which concerns on 12th Embodiment of this invention, and the electric power system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the modification of the electrorefining furnace which concerns on 12th Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows an example of the arrangement of the conventional upper electrode.

[First Embodiment]
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. In the present embodiment, the electrolytic smelting furnace 100 is an apparatus for melting iron ore and refining molten iron ore by an electrolytic reaction. The ore to be refined is not limited to iron ore, and the electrolytic refining furnace 100 can be applied to any mineral resource that can be refined by an electrolytic reaction. It is also possible to smelt iron scrap instead of iron ore.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electrolytic refining furnace 100 has a furnace body 10, a furnace bottom electrode 11, an upper electrode 12, a collector 13, and a housing 14.

The furnace body 10 is a container having a bottom portion 10B extending in a horizontal plane. Iron ore is introduced into the furnace body 10. The iron ore is melt-heated in the furnace body 10 to become the molten ore Wm. The temperature of the molten ore Wm is determined based on the melting point of the material itself. As an example, the temperature of the molten ore Wm is 1200 to 2000 ° C. More preferably, this temperature is 1400 to 1700 ° C. Most preferably, the temperature of the molten ore Wm is 1500 to 1600 ° C.

A furnace bottom electrode 11 is provided on the bottom 10B of the furnace body 10. As an example, the furnace bottom electrode 11 has a plate shape integrally formed of a metal material containing molybdenum as a main component.

A plurality of upper electrodes 12 are arranged inside the furnace body 10 and above the furnace bottom electrode 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of upper electrodes 12 are arranged in a grid pattern at equal intervals in the horizontal direction. As an example, the upper electrode 12 is formed as a columnar electrode body integrally formed of a metal material containing iron, chromium, vanadium, and tantalum.

All the upper electrodes 12 are electrorefined from molten iron ore by energizing the furnace bottom electrodes 11. At least one of these upper electrodes 12 includes a plasma torch 20 (heating portion) inside the upper electrode 12, that is, inside the electrode body, and a melting electrode 12A capable of melting iron ore. Has been done. In the example of FIG. 2, a configuration in which a plurality of melting electrodes 12A are arranged at intervals in the horizontal direction in the upper electrodes 12 is shown. The arrangement of the upper electrode 12 is not limited to this, and can be appropriately changed according to the design and specifications.

As shown in FIG. 1 again, the collector 13 is embedded in the bottom portion 10B of the furnace body 10 and below the furnace bottom electrode 11. The collector 13 is made of a conductive material, and one end thereof is electrically connected to the bottom electrode 11. Although the example of FIG. 1 shows an example in which two collectors 13 are provided, the number of collectors 13 is not limited to two.

The furnace body 10, the bottom electrode 11, the upper electrode 12, and the collector 13 are covered by the housing 14 from the outside.

Next, the configuration of the melting electrode 12A provided with the plasma torch 20 for melting the iron ore will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the melting electrode 12A has a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction. That is, a through hole 12S extending in the vertical direction is formed inside (inner peripheral side) of the melting electrode 12A. A plasma torch 20 is provided in the through hole 12S as a heating unit for heating and melting the iron ore introduced into the furnace body 10. The plasma torch 20 has a tubular torch body 21 arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 12S, and a plasma torch electrode 22 communicating with the torch body 21 on the inner peripheral side.

The torch body 21 has a large diameter portion 21L located on the side (that is, upper side) away from the furnace bottom electrode 11, a small diameter portion 21S coaxial with the large diameter portion 21L and located below, and these large diameter portions. It has a connecting portion 21C that connects the 21L and the small diameter portion 21S in the vertical direction. The inner diameter of the large diameter portion 21L is larger than the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 21S. Further, the inner diameter dimension of the connecting portion 21C gradually decreases from the upper side to the lower side.

A plasma torch electrode 22 is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the large diameter portion 21L. The plasma torch electrode 22 has a rod shape having an outer diameter dimension smaller than the inner diameter dimension of the large diameter portion 21L. Therefore, a gap as a flow path F is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the plasma torch electrode 22 and the inner peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 21L. Working gas supplied from the outside flows through the flow path F from above to below. The working gas is generally Ar, N2 or the like, but a flammable gas (for example, hydrogen) can also be preferably used. Further, a voltage is applied between the torch body 21 and the plasma torch electrode 22 by a power source. By energizing between the torch body 21 and the plasma torch electrode 22 based on the voltage in this way, the working gas is ionized and the high-temperature plasma jet J1 is formed. The plasma jet J1 is ejected from below the plasma torch 20 toward the bottom electrode 11 side.

In the electrolytic refining furnace 100 configured as described above, iron ore M is first charged into the furnace body 10. Prior to electrolytic refining, this iron ore M needs to be melted. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the plasma jet J1 is formed by energizing between the torch body 21 and the plasma torch electrode 22 in a state before the iron ore M is melted. The heat energy of the plasma jet J1 causes the iron ore M to start heating and melting.

When the iron ore M has begun to melt, the operation of the plasma torch 20 described above is changed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, in this state, electricity is applied between the plasma torch electrode 22 and the furnace bottom electrode 11. As a result, the plasma jet J2 is formed between the torch body 21 and the furnace bottom electrode 11. The thermal energy of the plasma jet J2 melts the iron ore M that has begun to melt as a whole, and the molten iron ore Wm is formed.

Next, electrolytic refining is performed on the molten iron ore Wm. Specifically, a DC voltage is applied such that the upper electrode 12 is on the positive side and the collector 13 is on the negative side. The electrolytic reaction (reduction reaction) proceeds by this voltage, and diiron trioxide (Fe ₂ O ₃ ) contained in the molten ore Wm is reduced. As the reduction reaction progresses, molten iron Wf (pure iron) precipitates, and the molten iron Wf precipitates on the furnace bottom electrode 11 side due to its own weight. As the amount of molten iron Wf precipitated increases, the molten iron Wf itself functions as a cathode side terminal in addition to the furnace bottom electrode 11.

On the other hand, oxygen is generated on the upper electrode 12 side.

As described above, according to the above configuration, the iron ore M can be heated and melted by the plasma torch 20 of the melting electrode 12A prior to the electrolytic refining. As a result, molten iron ore Wm can be easily produced. This makes it possible to smoothly start the operation of the electrolytic refining furnace 100.

Further, since the plasma torch 20 is provided inside the melting electrode 12A, the size and physique of the melting electrode 12A can be suppressed to a small size. As a result, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the upper electrode 12 including the melting electrode 12A can be further increased.

Further, according to the above configuration, in the state before the iron ore M is melted, the plasma jet J1 is formed by energizing between the torch body 21 and the plasma torch electrode 22. The iron ore M can be efficiently melted by this plasma jet J1.

In addition, according to the above configuration, when the iron ore M starts to melt, another plasma jet J2 is formed by energizing between the plasma torch electrode 22 and the furnace bottom electrode 11. With this plasma jet J2, the iron ore M that has begun to melt can be melted more efficiently and homogenized. Further, even when the molten iron ore Wm is solidified due to, for example, interruption of work, it can be melted again by the plasma torch 20. As a result, the electrolytic refining work can be resumed immediately.

The first embodiment of the present invention has been described above. It should be noted that various changes and modifications can be made to the above configuration as long as the gist of the present invention is not deviated.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, the configuration of the heating unit 20'is different from that of the first embodiment. The burner 20'as a heating unit ejects a gas (mixed gas Gh) into the furnace body 10 through the through hole 12S formed in the above-mentioned melting electrode 12A. Specifically, as the mixed gas Gh, a gas containing hydrogen and an inert gas (argon as an example) is used. The mixed gas Gh is supplied to the through hole 12S from the hydrogen supply unit 23 provided outside the furnace body 10. Further, in the present embodiment, an ignition device 12I for igniting the mixed gas is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 12S. As the inert gas, a rare gas other than the above-mentioned argon can be appropriately selected and used.

In the state before the iron ore M is melted, the burner 20'extends toward the furnace bottom electrode 11 (that is, extends downward from the through hole 12S) by igniting the mixed gas Gh. To form. Iron ore M begins to melt due to this flame Fh.

In a state where the iron ore M has begun to melt, the operation of the above-mentioned burner 20'is changed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, in this state, the burner 20'injects only the mixed gas Gh toward the molten iron ore Wm by extinguishing the flame Fh. As a result, the molten iron ore Wm is agitated. The flame Fh is extinguished by changing the hydrogen mixture condition or changing to Ar gas or the like. Further, when the burner 20'is extinguished, it is possible to additionally add iron ore through the through hole 12S. Further, when stirring is performed, the upper electrode 12 is brought into contact with the liquid surface of the molten iron ore Wm or is immersed under the liquid surface.

According to the above configuration, the iron ore M can be easily and quickly heated and melted by the flame Fh of the mixed gas Gh containing hydrogen.

Further, according to the above configuration, the mixed gas Gh used for melting the iron ore M can be supplied to the molten iron ore Wm in a flame-extinguished state to stir the molten iron ore Wm. it can. Thereby, the molten iron ore Wm can be homogenized. Further, since it is not necessary to provide a dedicated device for stirring, the configuration of the device can be simplified. As a result, manufacturing costs and operating costs can be reduced.

The second embodiment of the present invention has been described above. It should be noted that various changes and modifications can be made to the above configuration as long as the gist of the present invention is not deviated.

[Third Embodiment]
Subsequently, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those of the above embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, in the configuration described in the first embodiment described above, the power supply unit (refining power supply unit 31) that applies a voltage between the furnace bottom electrode 11 and the upper electrode 12 , The power supply unit (startup power supply unit 32) for applying a voltage between the furnace bottom electrode 11 and the plasma torch electrode 22, is electrically independent of each other.

The refining power supply unit 31 includes a refining electric wire 31L for electrically connecting the furnace bottom electrode 11 and the melting electrode 12A, a DC power supply P1 provided on the refining electric wire 31L, and a switch 31S. Have. By opening and closing the switch 31S, the supply state of the electric power supplied from the DC power supply P1 is switched.

The start-up power supply unit 32 includes a start-up electric wire 32L that electrically connects the furnace bottom electrode 11 and the plasma torch electrode 22, a power supply P2 provided on the start-up electric wire 32L, and a switch 32S. doing. By opening and closing the switch 32S, the supply state of the electric power supplied from the power supply P2 is switched.

Here, the required voltage is larger at the start of operation (that is, when starting to melt iron ore) than at the time of refining. According to the above configuration, the refining power supply unit 31 and the startup power supply unit 32 are provided independently. Therefore, for example, as compared with a configuration in which the refining power supply unit 31 and the startup power supply unit 32 are not independent of each other, it is possible to suppress fluctuations in the voltage generated by each power supply unit. As a result, the electrolytic refining furnace 100 can be operated more stably.

The third embodiment of the present invention has been described above. It should be noted that various changes and modifications can be made to the above configuration as long as the gist of the present invention is not deviated.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those of the above embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, among the upper electrodes 12, the charging electrode 12'excluding the above-mentioned melting electrode 12A is formed with a charging hole portion 12H for charging iron ore before melting. ing. The charging hole portion 12H penetrates the charging electrode 12'in the vertical direction. A device (not shown) such as a hopper or a screw feeder is installed above the input hole portion 12H. Iron ore before melting is guided from the outside into the charging hole portion 12H through these devices and charged into the furnace body 10.

Further, the charging electrode 12'is provided with either the plasma torch 20 or the burner 20' as the heating unit described in each of the above-described embodiments. That is, the input hole portion 12H also serves as a flow path for the gas used in the plasma torch 20 or the burner 20'.

According to the above configuration, iron ore can be smoothly charged into the furnace body 10 through the charging hole portion 12H. Further, since the charging hole portion 12H is formed in a part of the upper electrode 12, the number and density of the upper electrodes 12 can be increased as compared with the case where a charging port for charging iron ore is separately provided. it can. As a result, refining can be performed more stably.

The fourth embodiment of the present invention has been described above. It should be noted that various changes and modifications can be made to the above configuration as long as the gist of the present invention is not deviated. For example, in the fourth embodiment, an example has been described in which all of the upper electrodes 12 except the melting electrode 12A are the charging electrodes 12'. However, only a part of the upper electrode 12 except for the melting electrode 12A may be used as the charging electrode 12'.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those of the above embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 9, the electrolytic refining furnace 200 according to the present embodiment further includes a heater H as an auxiliary heating unit in addition to the respective configurations described in the first embodiment described above. The heater H is provided to keep the molten iron ore Wm stored in the furnace body 10 warm and maintain the molten state. The heater H is provided on at least one of the upper side and the lower side of the furnace body 10. In the example of FIG. 9, the first heater H1 is provided above and the second heater H2 is provided below.

More specifically, the first heater H1 has a plate shape facing the furnace body 10 at intervals. The first heater H1 is formed with a plurality of openings h through which the above-mentioned upper electrode 12 is inserted. The second heater H2 is embedded below the collector 13 in the bottom 10B of the furnace body 10. The second heater H2 also has a plate shape like the first heater H1.

According to the above configuration, by providing the heater H as an auxiliary heating unit, the molten iron ore in the furnace body 10 can be maintained in a molten state without solidifying. As a result, electrolytic refining can be performed more stably.

The fifth embodiment of the present invention has been described above. It should be noted that various changes and modifications can be made to the above configuration as long as the gist of the present invention is not deviated.

[Sixth Embodiment]
Subsequently, the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those of the above embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 10, in the electrolytic smelting furnace 300 according to the present embodiment, the separation distance L between the bottom surface of the upper electrode 12 (the bottom surface of the electrode 12B) and the upper surface of the molten iron Wf (the molten iron liquid surface Sw) is set. It further includes a separation distance detecting unit 41 for detecting, and an electrode moving unit 42 for moving the upper electrode 12 in the vertical direction based on the value of the separation distance.

The separation distance detection unit 41 measures the current and voltage flowing between the upper electrode 12 and the furnace bottom electrode 11, and calculates the separation distance L based on the current characteristics and voltage characteristics. The separation distance L is the upper surface of the molten iron Wf as described above. In other words, the separation distance L is the thickness of the molten iron ore Wm located in the upper layer of the molten iron Wf. Here, as the separation distance L increases, the electrical resistance due to the separation distance L increases. Therefore, as the separation distance L increases, the amount of current flowing between the upper electrode 12 and the furnace bottom electrode 11 decreases. That is, the change in the separation distance L can be detected by measuring the amount of current at a certain voltage value.

When a change in the separation distance L is detected by the separation distance detection unit 41, the electrode moving unit 42 moves the upper electrode 12 in the vertical direction and adjusts the separation distance L so that it becomes a predetermined constant value. .. As the electrode moving portion 42, various actuators, electric motors, and the like are preferably used.

Here, in order to stably perform electrolytic refining, it is necessary to keep the voltage applied between the upper electrode 12 and the molten iron liquid level Sw as constant as possible. On the other hand, as the electrolytic refining progresses, the reduced molten iron Wf increases, and the upper surface (molten iron liquid surface Sw) of the molten iron Wf moves upward. Further, the voltage between the upper electrode 12 and the molten iron liquid level Sw depends on the separation distance between the two. According to the above configuration, the upper electrode 12 can be moved by the electrode moving portion 42 so that the separation distance L between the upper electrode 12 and the molten iron liquid surface Sw becomes a constant value. As a result, the voltage applied between the upper electrode 12 and the molten iron Wf can be kept constant. As a result, electrolytic refining can be performed more stably.

The sixth embodiment of the present invention has been described above. It should be noted that various changes and modifications can be made to the above configuration as long as the gist of the present invention is not deviated.

[Seventh Embodiment]
Next, the seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those of the above embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 11, in the electrolytic refining furnace 400 according to the present embodiment, the furnace body 10'has a discharge recess 10H recessed further downward from the furnace bottom (bottom 10B), a discharge recess 10H, and an outside. Further includes a discharge passage 10E for communicating with the discharge passage 10E, an opening / closing portion 5 for switching the communication state by opening and closing the discharge passage 10E, and an outer peripheral heating device 6 for covering the inside of the discharge recess 10H from the outside.

The discharge recess 10H has a rectangular cross-sectional shape that is recessed downward from the bottom 10B. The discharge passage 10E is provided above the bottom surface of the discharge recess 10H (the bottom surface 10S of the discharge recess). An outer peripheral heating device 6 for heating the portion of the discharge recess 10H below the discharge passage 10E is provided. Specifically, an IH heater or the like is preferably used as the outer peripheral heating device 6.

According to the above configuration, the molten iron Wf produced by electrolytic refining can be easily taken out to the outside of the furnace body 10 through the discharge recess 10H and the discharge path 10E. In particular, since the opening / closing portion 5 is connected to the discharge path 10E, the molten iron Wf can be taken out more easily only by opening the opening / closing portion 5.

Further, according to the above configuration, the discharge path 10E is provided above the bottom surface of the discharge recess 10H (the bottom surface 10S of the discharge recess). The portion below the discharge path 10E is covered from the outside by the outer peripheral heating device 6. Therefore, for example, the component solidified in the discharge recess 10H when the work is interrupted can be immediately melted when the work is restarted. This makes it possible to operate the electrolytic smelting furnace 400 more smoothly.

The seventh embodiment of the present invention has been described above. It should be noted that various changes and modifications can be made to the above configuration as long as the gist of the present invention is not deviated. For example, instead of the configuration of the seventh embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the discharge path 10E'can be formed on the bottom surface 10S of the discharge recess. Further, in the example of the figure, a stirring gas supply unit 7 for supplying hydrogen, Ar gas, etc. for stirring the molten iron Wf is further provided from the bottom surface 10S of the discharge recess 10S toward the inside of the discharge recess 10H. ..

According to the above configuration, the molten iron Wf can be naturally taken out by gravity through the discharge path 10E'. Further, the agitated gas supply unit 7 can agitate the molten iron ore Wm and the molten iron Wf in the discharge recess 10H. Further, the molten iron ore Wm and the molten iron Wf can be agitated by the electromagnetic stirring effect due to the induction heating. As a result, the molten iron ore Wm and the molten iron Wf can be further homogenized and homogenized.

[Eighth Embodiment]
Subsequently, the eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. The same components as those of the above embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 13, in the electrolytic smelting furnace 500 according to the present embodiment, in addition to the embodiment described in the seventh embodiment, the slag Ws generated in the furnace main body 10 as the electrolytic smelting progresses is externally formed. A slag discharge path 10F for taking out the slag, a slag discharge path heating section Hs for heating the slag Ws flowing through the slag discharge path 10F, and a discharge path heating section Hf for heating the molten iron ore Wm flowing through the discharge path 10E. Is further equipped.

The slag discharge path 10F penetrates the side wall of the furnace body 10. The slag discharge path 10F is formed at a position separated upward from the furnace bottom electrode 11. The slag discharge passage 10F is provided with an opening / closing portion 5'that changes the opening / closing state of the slag discharge passage 10F. The slag discharge path heating unit Hs changes the viscosity (decreases the viscosity) by heating the slag Ws flowing in the slag discharge path 10F. Thereby, the discharge flow rate of the slag Ws can be adjusted.

The discharge path 10E is provided with a discharge path heating section Hf in the same manner as the slag discharge path heating section Hs. The discharge passage heating unit Hf changes the viscosity (decreases the viscosity) by heating the molten iron ore Wm (molten iron Wf) flowing in the discharge passage 10E. Thereby, the discharge flow rate of the molten iron ore Wm (molten iron Wf) can be adjusted.

As a specific example of these discharge path heating portions Hf and the slag discharge passage heating portion Hs, the configuration shown in FIG. 14 is preferably used. As shown in the figure, the discharge path heating section Hf and the high frequency coil 51 as the slag discharge path heating section Hs are arranged so as to cover the outer periphery of the discharge path 10E (or the slag discharge path 10F). Further, a plug 50 that moves back and forth inside and outside the discharge path 10E (or the slag discharge path 10F) may be provided. By moving the plug 50 forward and backward, the open / closed state of the discharge path 10E (or the slag discharge path 10F) can be changed.

According to the above configuration, the viscosity of the molten iron ore Wm changes when the discharge passage heating unit Hf heats the molten iron ore Wm flowing through the discharge passage 10E. As a result, the fluidity of the molten iron ore Wm changes, and the flow rate can be adjusted to a desired value.

Further, according to the above configuration, the viscosity of the slag Ws changes when the slag discharge path heating unit Hs heats the slag Ws flowing through the slag discharge path 10F. As a result, the fluidity of the slag Ws changes, and the flow rate can be adjusted to a desired value.

The eighth embodiment of the present invention has been described above. It should be noted that various changes and modifications can be made to the above configuration as long as the gist of the present invention is not deviated.

[Ninth Embodiment]
Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those of the above embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 15, in the electrolytic refining furnace 600 according to the present embodiment, the chamber 60 in which the space V communicating with the through hole 12S of the upper electrode 12 is formed inside and the air from the space V in the chamber 60. It is further provided with a vacuum pump 61, which creates a vacuum state by sucking. The space V communicates with the upper end of the through hole 12S. Since the space V is in a vacuum state, the slag Ws is sucked into the space V through the through hole 12S.

According to the above configuration, the slag Ws can be sucked up into the chamber 60 (space V) in the vacuum state through the through hole 12S formed in the upper electrode 12. Thereby, the slag Ws and the molten iron Wf can be separated more easily.

The ninth embodiment of the present invention has been described above. It is possible to make various changes and modifications to the above configuration without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[10th Embodiment]
Subsequently, the tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those of the above embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 16, the electrolytic refining furnace 700 according to the present embodiment further includes a settling gas supply unit 70. The settling gas supply unit 70 supplies gas between the upper electrodes 12 from above to settle the iron ore M floating between the upper electrodes 12. Further, the sedimentation gas supply unit 70 may be inserted into the molten iron ore Wm to supply the gas into the molten iron ore Wm.

Here, it is known that when electrolytic refining is performed, iron ore M is gradually refined with melting, and these refined iron ore M are suspended near the liquid level of molten iron ore Wm. .. According to the above configuration, the sedimentation gas supply unit 70 can sediment the iron ore M floating between the upper electrodes 12. Further, by supplying gas into the molten iron ore, floating iron ore can be involved in the molten iron ore. Thereby, the molten iron ore Wm can be further homogenized.

The tenth embodiment of the present invention has been described above. It is possible to make various changes and modifications to the above configuration without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, it is possible to adopt a configuration including a sedimentation mechanism unit 70'instead of the sedimentation gas supply unit 70. The settling mechanism portion 70'advance and retreat in the vertical direction between the upper electrodes 12. When the floating iron ore M is generated as described above, the iron ore M can be submerged in the molten iron ore Wm by moving the sedimentation mechanism portion 70'downward. This makes it possible to further homogenize the molten iron ore.

[Eleventh Embodiment]
Next, the eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those of the above embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 18, in the electrolytic refining furnace 800 according to the present embodiment, the configuration of the furnace main body 10'is a box with each of the above embodiments. The bottom B of the furnace body 10'is configured so that the height position changes stepwise downward from the charging portion 80 toward the discharge recess 10H in the horizontal direction. That is, the height position of the furnace bottom B is gradually lowered from the central portion to the peripheral portion of the furnace body 10'. As shown in FIG. 18, the central portion is a region including a portion through which the central axis O extending in the vertical direction passes.

More specifically, the hearth B includes the first bottom B1, the second bottom B2, and the third bottom B3 arranged in order from the side separated from the discharge recess 10H toward the discharge recess 10H. Have. The second bottom B2 is located below the first bottom B1. The third bottom B3 is located further below the second bottom B2. In this embodiment, for simplification of the explanation, an example in which the height of the bottom B changes in three stages is shown, but the bottom B can be divided into four or more heights. Is.

According to the above configuration, the height position of the furnace bottom B changes downward from the charging portion 80 toward the discharge recess 10H. As a result, the molten iron ore Wm and the reduced molten iron Wf can be naturally flowed toward the discharge recess 10H. As a result, the molten iron Wf can be taken out to the outside more easily.

The eleventh embodiment of the present invention has been described above. It should be noted that various changes and modifications can be made to the above configuration as long as the gist of the present invention is not deviated.

[Twelfth Embodiment]
Subsequently, the twelfth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those of the above embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 19, in the electrolytic refining furnace 900 according to the present embodiment, at least one of the melting electrodes 12A, which is the melting electrode 12A arranged along the side wall of the furnace main body 10. Is formed with a peripheral edge charging portion 80'that penetrates the melting electrode 12A in the vertical direction. In addition, the electrolytic refining furnace 900 further includes a peripheral heating section 90 that heats and melts the iron ore M derived from the peripheral charging section 80'.

The peripheral heating unit 90 has a pair of

electrode terminals

91 and 91 provided separately from the above-mentioned furnace bottom electrode 11 and the upper electrode 12. The

electrode terminals

91 and 91 are immersed in the molten iron ore Wm (or molten iron Wf). A voltage is applied to the

electrode terminals

91 and 91 by the power supply P. As a result, a Joule heating portion is formed between the

electrode terminals

91 and 91. As a result, when a new iron ore is put into the molten iron ore Wm, the iron ore is heated by the above-mentioned Joule heating unit and melted. It is desirable to provide the stirring gas supply unit 70B in the vicinity of these

electrode terminals

91 and 91. The stirring gas supply unit 70B stirs the molten iron ore Wm melted by the peripheral heating unit 90 by supplying gas.

Here, in the peripheral portion inside the furnace main body 10, heat is dissipated to the outside through the wall surface of the furnace main body 10, so that the melting of iron ore may be difficult to proceed as compared with other regions. According to the above configuration, iron ore can be supplied to the peripheral edge portion in the furnace main body 10 through the peripheral edge charging portion 80', and the iron ore can be heated and melted by the peripheral edge heating portion 90. As a result, it is possible to further promote the homogenization and homogenization of the molten iron ore Wm in the furnace body 10.

The twelfth embodiment of the present invention has been described above. It should be noted that various changes and modifications can be made to the above configuration as long as the gist of the present invention is not deviated. For example, as the peripheral heating portion 90', as shown in FIG. 20, it is also possible to provide the upper electrode 12 and the side electrode 92 embedded in the side wall of the furnace body 10. By forming the Joule heating portion as described above between the upper electrode 12 and the side electrode 92, the newly charged iron ore M can be melted.

The electrolytic refining furnace according to one aspect of the present invention can be smoothly started in operation.

100,200,300,400,500,600,700,800,900 Electrolytic smelting furnace 10,10'Folder body 10B Bottom 10E Discharge path 10F

Slug discharge path

10H, 10H' Discharge recess 10S Discharge recess Bottom surface 11 Furnace Bottom electrode 12 Top electrode 12A Melting electrode 12A ′ Input electrode 12B Electrode bottom surface 12S Through hole 12H Input hole 12I Ignition device 14 Housing 20 Plasma torch 20 ′ Burner 21 Torch body 21L Large diameter part 21S Small diameter part 21C Connection part 22 Plasma Torch electrode 23 Hydrogen supply unit 31 Refining power supply unit

31L Smelting wire

31S, 32S Switch 32 Startup power supply unit 32L Startup wire 41 Separation distance detection unit 42 Electrode moving unit 5, 5'Opening / closing unit 50 Plug 51 High frequency coil 6 Outer circumference Heating device 60 Chamber 61

Vacuum pump

7, 70, 70', 70B Stirring gas supply unit 80 Input unit 80' Peripheral charging unit 90, 90' Peripheral heating unit 91 Electrode terminal 92 Side electrode B Furnace bottom B1 First furnace bottom B2 2nd furnace bottom B3 3rd furnace bottom F Flow path Fh Flame Gh Mixed gas h Opening H Heater H1 1st heater H2 2nd heater Hf Discharge path heating part Hs Slug discharge path heating part J1, J2 Plasma jet M Iron ore P1 AC power supply P2 DC power supply Sw Molten iron liquid level V Space Wm Molten iron ore Wf Molten iron Ws Slug

Claims

The main body of the furnace where iron ore is introduced and
The bottom electrode provided on the bottom of the furnace body and
A plurality of upper electrodes provided above the bottom electrode in the furnace body and having an electrode body for electrolytic refining of molten iron ore,
With
At least one of the upper electrodes
An electrolytic refining furnace as a melting electrode having a heating portion for heating and melting the iron ore into the molten iron ore inside the electrode body.
The heating unit has a tubular torch body arranged on the inner peripheral surface of a through hole formed in the electrode body, and a plasma torch electrode inserted through the inner peripheral side of the torch body.
The electrorefining furnace according to claim 1, wherein in a state before the iron ore is melted, the iron ore is melted by a plasma jet formed by energizing between the torch body and the plasma torch electrode.
According to claim 2, the heating unit heats the molten iron ore by a plasma jet formed by energizing between the plasma torch electrode and the furnace bottom electrode when the iron ore has begun to melt. The described electrolytic refining furnace.
A refining power supply unit that applies a voltage between the furnace bottom electrode and the upper electrode,
A start-up power supply unit that is provided independently of the refining power supply unit and applies a voltage between the furnace bottom electrode and the plasma torch electrode.
The electrolytic refining furnace according to claim 3.
The electrolytic refining furnace according to claim 1, wherein the heating unit melts the iron ore by a flame formed by a mixed gas containing hydrogen in a state before the iron ore is melted.
The electrolytic refining according to claim 5, wherein the heating unit agitates the molten iron ore by extinguishing a mixed gas containing hydrogen and supplying the molten iron ore in a state where the iron ore has begun to melt. Furnace.
Any one of claims 1 to 6 in which at least one of the upper electrodes is formed with a charging hole portion for guiding the iron ore to the furnace body by penetrating the upper electrode in the vertical direction. The electrolytic refining furnace described in.
The furnace body
A discharge recess that dents further downward from the bottom of the furnace,
A discharge path that communicates the discharge recess with the outside,
An opening / closing part that opens / closes the discharge path,
The electrolytic refining furnace according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising.
The discharge passage is provided above the bottom surface of the discharge recess, and a portion of the discharge recess below the discharge passage is provided with an outer peripheral heating device that covers the lower portion from the outside. The electrolytic refining furnace according to claim 8.
8. Claim 8 further comprising a discharge passage heating portion provided in the discharge passage and changing the viscosity by heating the molten iron ore flowing through the discharge passage or a refractory material having conductivity and forming a flow path. Or the electrolytic refining furnace according to 9.
A slag discharge path penetrating the side wall of the furnace body and
8. Claim 8 further comprising a slag discharge path heating unit provided in the slag discharge path and changing the viscosity by heating a slag flowing through the slag discharge path or a refractory material having conductivity and forming a flow path. The electrolytic refining furnace according to any one of 10 to 10.
The furnace body further includes a charging section for guiding the iron ore charged from the outside to the furnace body.
The electrolytic refining furnace according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the height position of the furnace bottom changes downward from the charging portion toward the discharging recess in the horizontal direction.
The discharge path is provided on the bottom surface of the discharge recess.
The electrorefining furnace according to claim 8, wherein the furnace body further includes a stirring gas supply unit that supplies gas into the molten iron ore upward from the bottom surface.
The electrolytic refining furnace according to any one of claims 1 to 13, which is provided on at least one of the upper side and the lower side of the furnace body and further includes an auxiliary heating unit for keeping the molten iron ore warm.
A separation distance detection unit that detects the separation distance between the upper electrode and the upper surface of the molten iron ore,
The electrolytic refining furnace according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising an electrode moving portion for moving the upper electrode in the vertical direction so that the separation distance becomes a predetermined constant value.
A chamber with a space inside and
A vacuum pump that creates a vacuum in the space,
With more
The electrorefining furnace according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the upper electrode is formed with a through hole that penetrates the upper electrode in the vertical direction and communicates with the space.
The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising a sedimentation gas supply unit for sedimenting the iron ore floating between the upper electrodes by supplying gas between the upper electrodes from above. Electrorefining furnace.
Claims 1 to 17 further include a settling mechanism portion provided between the upper electrodes and advancing and retreating toward the inside of the furnace body to settle the iron ore floating between the upper electrodes. The electrolytic refining furnace according to any one item.
The main body of the furnace where iron ore is introduced and
The bottom electrode provided on the bottom of the furnace body and
A plurality of upper electrodes provided above the bottom electrodes in the furnace body are provided.
The furnace body
A discharge recess that dents further downward from the bottom of the furnace,
A discharge path that communicates the discharge recess with the outside,
An opening / closing part that opens / closes the discharge path,
Electrorefining furnace equipped with.