WO2022038426A1 - Self-baking electrode casing assembly - Google Patents

Self-baking electrode casing assembly Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2022038426A1
WO2022038426A1 PCT/IB2021/055427 IB2021055427W WO2022038426A1 WO 2022038426 A1 WO2022038426 A1 WO 2022038426A1 IB 2021055427 W IB2021055427 W IB 2021055427W WO 2022038426 A1 WO2022038426 A1 WO 2022038426A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
casing
fin
casing segment
segment
sidewall
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2021/055427
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Frederik Petrus Greyling
Original Assignee
Frederik Petrus Greyling
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Frederik Petrus Greyling filed Critical Frederik Petrus Greyling
Priority to EP21743247.5A priority Critical patent/EP4200465A1/en
Publication of WO2022038426A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022038426A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K31/00—Processes relevant to this subclass, specially adapted for particular articles or purposes, but not covered by only one of the preceding main groups
    • B23K31/02—Processes relevant to this subclass, specially adapted for particular articles or purposes, but not covered by only one of the preceding main groups relating to soldering or welding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K37/00—Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted to a procedure covered by only one of the preceding main groups
    • B23K37/02—Carriages for supporting the welding or cutting element
    • B23K37/027—Carriages for supporting the welding or cutting element for making circular cuts or welds
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K37/00—Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted to a procedure covered by only one of the preceding main groups
    • B23K37/02—Carriages for supporting the welding or cutting element
    • B23K37/0276—Carriages for supporting the welding or cutting element for working on or in tubes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K37/00—Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted to a procedure covered by only one of the preceding main groups
    • B23K37/04—Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted to a procedure covered by only one of the preceding main groups for holding or positioning work
    • B23K37/0426—Fixtures for other work
    • B23K37/0435—Clamps
    • B23K37/0443—Jigs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K37/00—Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted to a procedure covered by only one of the preceding main groups
    • B23K37/04—Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted to a procedure covered by only one of the preceding main groups for holding or positioning work
    • B23K37/047—Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted to a procedure covered by only one of the preceding main groups for holding or positioning work moving work to adjust its position between soldering, welding or cutting steps
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25C—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION, RECOVERY OR REFINING OF METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25C3/00—Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts
    • C25C3/06—Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts of aluminium
    • C25C3/08—Cell construction, e.g. bottoms, walls, cathodes
    • C25C3/12—Anodes
    • C25C3/125—Anodes based on carbon
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B7/00—Heating by electric discharge
    • H05B7/02—Details
    • H05B7/06—Electrodes
    • H05B7/08—Electrodes non-consumable
    • H05B7/085—Electrodes non-consumable mainly consisting of carbon
    • H05B7/09—Self-baking electrodes, e.g. Söderberg type electrodes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K2101/00—Articles made by soldering, welding or cutting
    • B23K2101/04—Tubular or hollow articles
    • B23K2101/06—Tubes
    • B23K2101/08—Tubes finned or ribbed

Definitions

  • This invention relates to self-baking electrodes and more particularly to a casing segment, casing assembly and method of joining two casing segments for such an electrode.
  • Electrodes or Soderberg electrodes are well known in the art of electric furnaces. In use, these electrodes extend through a respective hole in a roof of a vessel of the furnace into the vessel.
  • Each electrode comprises a solid carbon electrode core which is sheathed by an elongate tubular casing assembly with internal fins.
  • the casing assembly is formed by welding two or more elongate casing segments together.
  • a paste is fed from the top of the casing assembly into the casing assembly. The paste melts and then is baked into the solid carbon electrode core as it is lowered into the vessel.
  • a part of the casing assembly inside the vessel is consumed with the electrode core and therefore, the casing assembly has to be regenerated from the top of the electrode by adding another segment in end to end relationship to a presently top-most segment.
  • the above process is time and labour intensive, especially when taking into account that a furnace comprises three to six electrodes and that the process must be repeated for each electrode and, if a robotic welder is used, the welder needs to be relocated on the furnace from one electrode to a next, before the work on the next could commence.
  • an electrode casing segment comprising:
  • each fin having a first end towards the first end of the sidewall and a second end towards the second end of the sidewall;
  • the fins of the casing segment comprising a first formation at the first end of the fin and a second complementary formation at the second end of the fin, the second complementary formation, in use, cooperating with the first formation of a fin of another casing segment which is connected to the casing segment in end to end relationship to align the at least one fin of the casing segment with the fin of the other casing segment.
  • the first formation may comprise a region towards the first end of the fin and the second formation may define a recess configured for receiving the first formation of the fin of the other casing segment.
  • the sidewall may have any suitable shape in transverse cross section, but preferably is circular in transverse cross section.
  • Each fin may be generally rectangular in shape having opposed first and second sides extending between the first and second ends of the fin, the first side being secured to the sidewall.
  • At least some of the fins may define at least one of a first notch in a first corner region between the first side of the fin and the first end of the fin and a second notch in a second corner region between the first side of the fin and the second end of the fin.
  • the segment may comprise an inner ring which is secured to an inside of the tubular sidewall at one of a) the second end of the tubular sidewall to extend beyond the second end of the tubular sidewall in a direction away from the first end of the tubular sidewall and b) the first end of the tubular sidewall to extend beyond the first end of the tubular sidewall in a direction away from the second end of the tubular sidewall.
  • a casing assembly comprising at least a first casing segment and a second similar casing segment and wherein the ring of the first segment fits in spigot socket fashion into the first end of the second casing segment and with a first end of at least one fin of the second casing segment located in the recess of the second formation of a fin of the first casing segment.
  • each fin of the second casing segment is located in a respective recess of the second formation of an aligned fin of the first casing segment.
  • the inner ring of the first casing segment may be welded to an inside of the tubular sidewall of the second casing segment and the first ends of the fins of the second casing segment may be welded to the second formation of the aligned fin of the first casing segment.
  • the first and second electrode casing segments may be identical in configuration and each of the first and second casing segments may comprise: an elongate circular cylindrical sidewall having a first end and a second end; a plurality of elongate fins extending from the sidewall radially inwardly and between the first end and the second end; each fin having a first end towards the first end of the sidewall and a second end towards the second end of the sidewall; at least some of the fins comprising a first formation at the first end of the fin and a second complementary formation at the second end of the fin; at least some of the fins may define at least one of a first notch in a first corner region between the first side and the first end of the fin and a second notch in a second corner region between the first side and the second end of the fin; an inner ring secured to the second end of the tubular sidewall and extending beyond the second end of the tubular sidewall in a direction away from the first end of the tubular sidewall, the ring of the first casing segment
  • the invention still further extends to a furnace comprising at least two spaced electrode casing assemblies extending through a roof of the furnace and each comprising respective casing segments; and a robotic welder mounted permanently on the furnace intermediate the assemblies to weld segments of the casing assemblies to one another in end to end relationship.
  • figure 1 is a diagrammatic isometric view, partially broken away for better clarity, of an example embodiment of a self-baking electrode casing segment
  • figure 2 is a diagrammatic isometric view of an electric furnace having three self-baking electrodes each comprising an electrode casing assembly (one shown exploded) comprising respective casing segments extending through a roof of the furnace into a vessel of the furnace and a permanently mounted robotic welder
  • figure 3 is a view similar to figure 2, with the exploded segments of the one electrode casing assembly closer in position
  • figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of the one assembly in exploded form with one casing segment of the assembly in section
  • figure 5 is a view similar to figure 4 with both segments in section
  • figure 6 is an enlarged view of the encircled part in figure 5
  • figure 7 is an enlarged view of the encircled part in figure 5 when the two segments are in position in end to end relationship relative to one another
  • figure 8 is
  • FIG. 1 An example embodiment of a casing segment of a casing assembly for a self-baking electrode of an electric furnace is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.1 in figures 1 to 7.
  • the casing segment 10.1 comprises elongate circular cylindrical sidewall 12 and a plurality of elongate fins 14.1 to 14.n extending radially inwardly from the sidewall 12.
  • the fins are welded to the inside of the sidewall 12 in known manner.
  • the sidewall 12 has a first end 16 and a second end 18.
  • An inner ring 20 is welded to the inside of the sidewall at the second end 18 to extend coaxially beyond the second end in a direction away from the first end 16.
  • Each fin 14.1 to 14.n is rectangular in shape and has a first end 22 (best shown in figures 1 and 5) and a second end 24.
  • each fin in a corner region thereof between a side thereof abutting the sidewall 12 and respectively the first end of the fin and the second end of the fin, defines a respective notch 26 and 28. Furthermore, each fin has a first formation 29 and a second complementary formation 30 at the first and second ends respectively.
  • the second complementary formation 30 (best shown in figures 6 and 7) of the first casing segment is configured to receive the first formation 29 of a fin of a second casing segment 10.2.
  • the second formation 30 comprises a member which is welded onto each fin upon manufacture of the casing segment 10.1.
  • the member defines a V-shaped recess 32 configured to receive the first formation 29, in the form of a region towards the first end of the fin of another casing segment.
  • the first segment 10.1 and the second segment 10.2 are welded together to form a casing assembly 34.
  • the furnace 100 comprises a vessel 102 having a roof 104.
  • Three self-baking electrodes 106, 108 and 110 extend vertically from the outside of the furnace through a respective hole in the roof into the vessel.
  • Each electrode comprises an electrode casing assembly 34 comprising at least two segments 10.1 and 10.2 and a solid carbon electrode core (not shown).
  • the core is formed in known manner by filling, from the top, the casing assembly with a paste (also not shown).
  • the electrode core together with the casing assembly 34 are consumed from their ends terminating in the vessel.
  • another segment 10.2 needs to be added in end to end relationship at the top end of currently top segment 10.1 (see electrode 110 in figures 2, 3 and 8) of the assembly on the furnace.
  • the furnace 100 further comprises a robotic welder 112.
  • the welder 112 may have any suitable configuration, but in this example embodiment may comprise a vertically extending main shaft 114 which is telescopically manipulatable and which is permanently mounted on the furnace, in this case on the roof 104, in a region intermediate the electrodes 106, 108 and 110.
  • the welder further comprises a telescopically manipulatable transverse arm 116 which is rotatable about the main shaft.
  • a telescopically manipulatable pivotal arm 118 is provided at a free end of the transverse arm.
  • a further telescopically manipulatable pivotal arm 120 is provided at a free end of the pivotal arm 120.
  • a welding tool 122 is provided at a free end of the further pivotal arm.
  • segment 10.2 is brought into axial alignment with segment 10.1.
  • fins of the segment 10.2 are brought into axial alignment with the fins of the first segment 10.1 .
  • the permanently mounted robotic welder 112 is used to weld parts of the segment 10.2. to parts of the segment 10.1.
  • access to the inside of the assembly 34 is obtained from an open top of the second segment 10.2 with the arm 118 extending axially downwards.
  • the arms 118 and 120 are manipulated to bring the welding tool from the inside of the assembly into contact with parts of the assembly to be welded to one another.
  • the tool 122 is brought into contact with an interface between ring 20 of the first segment and an inside of sidewall 12 of the second segment 10.2.
  • Adjacent notches 26 and 28 defined in aligned fins enable access to the full circumference of the ring, so that it may be welded to the sidewall on the inside of the assembly.
  • the first formations 29 of the second segment 10.2 are also welded to the second formations 30 at the second ends of the aligned fins of the first segment 10.1.
  • the stationary welder may be used to weld new or replacement segments to any one of the casing assemblies of electrodes 106, 108 and 110. Furthermore, since access to the regions requiring welding is obtained from the open top end of the tubular sidewall 12 of the second segment, it is not required to make holes in the sidewalls of the segments 10.1 and 10.2 of the assembly 34 to obtain access to regions requiring welding.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Arc Welding In General (AREA)

Abstract

An electrode casing segment 10.1 comprises an elongate tubular sidewall 12 having a first end 16 and a second end 18. A plurality of elongate fins 14.1 to 14.n extend from the sidewall inwardly and between the first end and the second end. Each fin has a first end 22 towards the first end of the sidewall and a second end 24 towards the second end of the sidewall. At least one of the fins of the casing segment comprises a first formation 29 at the first end of the fin and a second complementary formation 30 at the second end of the fin. The second complementary formation 30, in use, cooperating with the first formation 29 of a fin of another casing segment 10.2 which is connected to the casing segment 10.1 in end to end relationship, to align the at least one fin of the casing segment with the fin of the other casing segment.

Description

SELF-BAKING ELECTRODE CASING ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
This invention relates to self-baking electrodes and more particularly to a casing segment, casing assembly and method of joining two casing segments for such an electrode.
Self-baking electrodes or Soderberg electrodes are well known in the art of electric furnaces. In use, these electrodes extend through a respective hole in a roof of a vessel of the furnace into the vessel. Each electrode comprises a solid carbon electrode core which is sheathed by an elongate tubular casing assembly with internal fins. The casing assembly is formed by welding two or more elongate casing segments together. As the electrode is consumed inside the vessel, a paste is fed from the top of the casing assembly into the casing assembly. The paste melts and then is baked into the solid carbon electrode core as it is lowered into the vessel. A part of the casing assembly inside the vessel is consumed with the electrode core and therefore, the casing assembly has to be regenerated from the top of the electrode by adding another segment in end to end relationship to a presently top-most segment.
In adding another segment to the top-most segment, temporary openings are provided in a sidewall between the upper and lower segments. The segments and their respective fins are welded to one another by an operator or a temporarily mounted robotic welder extending from the outside of the segment substantially radially through the openings to the inside of the segment. After the welding process, the openings are closed with steel closures and/or steel straps which are welded to the outside of the sidewalls. The closures, straps and welded regions need to be grinded on the outside of the assembly to ensure a smooth surface, so that the electrode may be lowered through the hole in the roof into the vessel as described above.
The above process is time and labour intensive, especially when taking into account that a furnace comprises three to six electrodes and that the process must be repeated for each electrode and, if a robotic welder is used, the welder needs to be relocated on the furnace from one electrode to a next, before the work on the next could commence.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative casing segment, casing assembly and a method of joining two casing segments with which the applicant believes the aforementioned disadvantages may at least be alleviated or which may provide a useful alternative for the known casing segments, casing assemblies and a method of joining two casing segments. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided an electrode casing segment comprising:
- an elongate tubular sidewall having a first end and a second end;
- a plurality of elongate fins extending from the sidewall inwardly and between the first end and the second end, each fin having a first end towards the first end of the sidewall and a second end towards the second end of the sidewall; and
- at least one of the fins of the casing segment comprising a first formation at the first end of the fin and a second complementary formation at the second end of the fin, the second complementary formation, in use, cooperating with the first formation of a fin of another casing segment which is connected to the casing segment in end to end relationship to align the at least one fin of the casing segment with the fin of the other casing segment.
The first formation may comprise a region towards the first end of the fin and the second formation may define a recess configured for receiving the first formation of the fin of the other casing segment. The sidewall may have any suitable shape in transverse cross section, but preferably is circular in transverse cross section.
Each fin may be generally rectangular in shape having opposed first and second sides extending between the first and second ends of the fin, the first side being secured to the sidewall.
At least some of the fins may define at least one of a first notch in a first corner region between the first side of the fin and the first end of the fin and a second notch in a second corner region between the first side of the fin and the second end of the fin.
The segment may comprise an inner ring which is secured to an inside of the tubular sidewall at one of a) the second end of the tubular sidewall to extend beyond the second end of the tubular sidewall in a direction away from the first end of the tubular sidewall and b) the first end of the tubular sidewall to extend beyond the first end of the tubular sidewall in a direction away from the second end of the tubular sidewall.
Further according to the invention there is provided a casing assembly comprising at least a first casing segment and a second similar casing segment and wherein the ring of the first segment fits in spigot socket fashion into the first end of the second casing segment and with a first end of at least one fin of the second casing segment located in the recess of the second formation of a fin of the first casing segment.
In a presently preferred embodiment of the assembly, the first end of each fin of the second casing segment is located in a respective recess of the second formation of an aligned fin of the first casing segment.
The inner ring of the first casing segment may be welded to an inside of the tubular sidewall of the second casing segment and the first ends of the fins of the second casing segment may be welded to the second formation of the aligned fin of the first casing segment.
Still further according to the invention there is provided a method of joining first and second elongate tubular electrode casing segments in end to end relationship to one another, the method comprising the steps of:
- causing an arm of a robotic welder to extend axially into a casing assembly comprising the first and second casing segments in end to end relationship; and
- welding parts of the first and second casing segments together from the inside of the casing assembly.
The first and second electrode casing segments may be identical in configuration and each of the first and second casing segments may comprise: an elongate circular cylindrical sidewall having a first end and a second end; a plurality of elongate fins extending from the sidewall radially inwardly and between the first end and the second end; each fin having a first end towards the first end of the sidewall and a second end towards the second end of the sidewall; at least some of the fins comprising a first formation at the first end of the fin and a second complementary formation at the second end of the fin; at least some of the fins may define at least one of a first notch in a first corner region between the first side and the first end of the fin and a second notch in a second corner region between the first side and the second end of the fin; an inner ring secured to the second end of the tubular sidewall and extending beyond the second end of the tubular sidewall in a direction away from the first end of the tubular sidewall, the ring of the first casing segment may be received in spigot socket fashion into the first end of the second casing segment to form the casing assembly and the second complementary formations of the fins of the first casing segment cooperating with the first formations of the fins of the second casing segment, the method comprising: welding from the inside of the assembly the first formations of the fins of the second casing segment to the second formations of the fins of the first casing segment; and utilizing the notches to access and weld the inner ring of the first casing segment to an inside of the sidewall of the second casing segment. The invention still further extends to a furnace comprising at least two spaced electrode casing assemblies extending through a roof of the furnace and each comprising respective casing segments; and a robotic welder mounted permanently on the furnace intermediate the assemblies to weld segments of the casing assemblies to one another in end to end relationship.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DIAGRAMS
The invention will now further be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrams wherein: figure 1 is a diagrammatic isometric view, partially broken away for better clarity, of an example embodiment of a self-baking electrode casing segment; figure 2 is a diagrammatic isometric view of an electric furnace having three self-baking electrodes each comprising an electrode casing assembly (one shown exploded) comprising respective casing segments extending through a roof of the furnace into a vessel of the furnace and a permanently mounted robotic welder; figure 3 is a view similar to figure 2, with the exploded segments of the one electrode casing assembly closer in position; figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of the one assembly in exploded form with one casing segment of the assembly in section; figure 5 is a view similar to figure 4 with both segments in section; figure 6 is an enlarged view of the encircled part in figure 5; figure 7 is an enlarged view of the encircled part in figure 5 when the two segments are in position in end to end relationship relative to one another; and figure 8 is a view similar to figure 2, but with the casing segments of the one electrode casing assembly in section and in position in end to end relationship with one another.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
An example embodiment of a casing segment of a casing assembly for a self-baking electrode of an electric furnace is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.1 in figures 1 to 7.
The casing segment 10.1 comprises elongate circular cylindrical sidewall 12 and a plurality of elongate fins 14.1 to 14.n extending radially inwardly from the sidewall 12. On manufacture of the segment 10.1 , the fins are welded to the inside of the sidewall 12 in known manner. The sidewall 12 has a first end 16 and a second end 18. An inner ring 20 is welded to the inside of the sidewall at the second end 18 to extend coaxially beyond the second end in a direction away from the first end 16. Each fin 14.1 to 14.n is rectangular in shape and has a first end 22 (best shown in figures 1 and 5) and a second end 24. Each fin, in a corner region thereof between a side thereof abutting the sidewall 12 and respectively the first end of the fin and the second end of the fin, defines a respective notch 26 and 28. Furthermore, each fin has a first formation 29 and a second complementary formation 30 at the first and second ends respectively.
The second complementary formation 30 (best shown in figures 6 and 7) of the first casing segment is configured to receive the first formation 29 of a fin of a second casing segment 10.2.
In the example embodiment shown, the second formation 30 comprises a member which is welded onto each fin upon manufacture of the casing segment 10.1. The member defines a V-shaped recess 32 configured to receive the first formation 29, in the form of a region towards the first end of the fin of another casing segment.
As will be explained in more detail below, in use, and at a furnace 100 (shown in figures 2, 3 and 8), the first segment 10.1 and the second segment 10.2 are welded together to form a casing assembly 34. Referring to figures 2, 3 and 8, the furnace 100 comprises a vessel 102 having a roof 104. Three self-baking electrodes 106, 108 and 110 extend vertically from the outside of the furnace through a respective hole in the roof into the vessel. Each electrode comprises an electrode casing assembly 34 comprising at least two segments 10.1 and 10.2 and a solid carbon electrode core (not shown). The core is formed in known manner by filling, from the top, the casing assembly with a paste (also not shown). The paste melts and, in the part of the casing assembly extending into the vessel, is baked to form the solid carbon electrode core. As explained in the introduction of this specification, in use, the electrode core together with the casing assembly 34 are consumed from their ends terminating in the vessel. To regenerate the casing assembly 34, another segment 10.2 needs to be added in end to end relationship at the top end of currently top segment 10.1 (see electrode 110 in figures 2, 3 and 8) of the assembly on the furnace.
As best shown in figures 2, 3 and 8, the furnace 100 further comprises a robotic welder 112. The welder 112 may have any suitable configuration, but in this example embodiment may comprise a vertically extending main shaft 114 which is telescopically manipulatable and which is permanently mounted on the furnace, in this case on the roof 104, in a region intermediate the electrodes 106, 108 and 110. The welder further comprises a telescopically manipulatable transverse arm 116 which is rotatable about the main shaft. A telescopically manipulatable pivotal arm 118 is provided at a free end of the transverse arm. A further telescopically manipulatable pivotal arm 120 is provided at a free end of the pivotal arm 120. A welding tool 122 is provided at a free end of the further pivotal arm.
The addition of the other segment 10.2 to the currently top segment 10.1 is best explained with reference to figures 2 to 8. As stated before, the segments 10.1 and 10.2 are identical in shape and configuration. As best shown in figure 4, segment 10.2 is brought into axial alignment with segment 10.1. Furthermore, as shown in figures 5 and 6, the fins of the segment 10.2 are brought into axial alignment with the fins of the first segment 10.1 .
As shown in figure 7, the ring 20 at the second end 18 of the first segment
10.1 is received in spigot socket fashion in the first end 16 of the second segment. Furthermore, the first formation 29 of each fin of the segment
10.2 is received by the second complementary formation 30 of each aligned fin of the first segment 10.1 , to form the assembly 34.
Referring to figure 8, the permanently mounted robotic welder 112 is used to weld parts of the segment 10.2. to parts of the segment 10.1. In this regard, access to the inside of the assembly 34 is obtained from an open top of the second segment 10.2 with the arm 118 extending axially downwards. The arms 118 and 120 are manipulated to bring the welding tool from the inside of the assembly into contact with parts of the assembly to be welded to one another. For example, the tool 122 is brought into contact with an interface between ring 20 of the first segment and an inside of sidewall 12 of the second segment 10.2. Adjacent notches 26 and 28 defined in aligned fins enable access to the full circumference of the ring, so that it may be welded to the sidewall on the inside of the assembly. The first formations 29 of the second segment 10.2 are also welded to the second formations 30 at the second ends of the aligned fins of the first segment 10.1.
It will be appreciated that with suitable manipulation of the telescopically manipulatable arms of the welder 112, the stationary welder may be used to weld new or replacement segments to any one of the casing assemblies of electrodes 106, 108 and 110. Furthermore, since access to the regions requiring welding is obtained from the open top end of the tubular sidewall 12 of the second segment, it is not required to make holes in the sidewalls of the segments 10.1 and 10.2 of the assembly 34 to obtain access to regions requiring welding.

Claims

1 . An electrode casing segment comprising:
- an elongate tubular sidewall having a first end and a second end;
- a plurality of elongate fins extending from the sidewall inwardly and between the first end and the second end, each fin having a first end towards the first end of the sidewall and a second end towards the second end of the sidewall; and
- at least one of the fins of the casing segment comprising a first formation at the first end of the fin and a second complementary formation at the second end of the fin, the second complementary formation, in use, cooperating with the first formation of a fin of another casing segment which is connected to the casing segment in end to end relationship, to align the at least one fin of the casing segment with the fin of the other casing segment.
2. The electrode casing segment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first formation comprises a region towards the first end of the fin and wherein the second formation defines a recess configured for receiving the first formation of the fin of the other casing segment.
3. The electrode casing segment as claimed in any one of claim 1 and claim 2 wherein the sidewall is circular in transverse cross section.
4. The electrode casing segment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each fin is generally rectangular in shape having opposed first and second sides extending between the first and second ends of the fin and wherein the first side is secured to the sidewall.
5. The electrode casing segment as claimed in claim 4 wherein at least some of the fins define at least one of a first notch in a first corner region between the first side of the fin and the first end of the fin and a second notch in a second corner region between the first side of the fin and the second end of the fin.
6. The electrode casing segment as claimed in any one of claims 4 and 5 comprising an inner ring which is secured to an inside of the tubular sidewall at one of a) the second end of the tubular sidewall to extend beyond the second end of the tubular sidewall in a direction away from the first end of the tubular sidewall and b) the first end of the tubular sidewall to extend beyond the first end of the tubular sidewall in a direction away from the second end of the tubular sidewall. 15 A casing assembly comprising at least a first casing segment as claimed in claim 6 and a second similar casing segment, wherein the ring of the first casing segment fits in spigot socket fashion into the first end of the second casing segment and with the first end of at least one fin of the second casing segment located in the recess of the second formation of a fin of the first casing segment. The casing assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the first end of each fin of the second casing segment is located in a respective recess of the second formation of an aligned fin of the first casing segment. The casing assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein the inner ring of the first casing segment is welded to an inside of the tubular sidewall of the second casing segment and wherein the first ends of the fins of the second casing segment are welded to the second formation of the aligned fin of the first casing segment. A furnace comprising at least two spaced electrode casing assemblies as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9 extending through a roof of the furnace; and a robotic welder mounted permanently on the furnace intermediate the assemblies to weld 16 segments of the casing assemblies to one another in end to end relationship. A method of joining first and second elongate tubular electrode casing segments in end to end relationship to one another, the method comprising the steps of:
- causing an arm of a robotic welder to extend axially into a casing assembly comprising the first and second casing segments in end to end relationship; and
- welding parts of the first and second casing segments together from the inside of the casing assembly. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the first and second electrode casing segments are identical in configuration, wherein each of the first and second casing segments comprises: an elongate circular cylindrical sidewall having a first end and a second end; a plurality of elongate fins extending from the sidewall radially inwardly and between the first end and the second end; each fin having a first end towards the first end of the sidewall and a second end towards the second end of the sidewall; at least some of the fins comprising a first formation at the first end of the fin and a second complementary formation at the second end of the fin; at least some of the fins defining at least one of a first notch in a first 17 corner region between the first side and the first end of the fin and a second notch in a second corner region between the first side and the second end of the fin; an inner ring secured to the second end of the tubular sidewall and extending beyond the second end of the tubular sidewall in a direction away from the first end of the tubular sidewall, the ring of the first casing segment being received in spigot socket fashion into the first end of the second casing segment to form the casing assembly and the second complementary formations of the fins of the first casing segment cooperating with the first formations of the fins of the second casing segment, the method comprising: welding from the inside of the casing assembly the first formations of the fins of the second casing segment to the second formations of the fins of the first casing segment; and - utilizing the notches to access and weld the inner ring of the first casing segment to an inside of the sidewall of the second casing segment.
PCT/IB2021/055427 2020-08-21 2021-06-21 Self-baking electrode casing assembly WO2022038426A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21743247.5A EP4200465A1 (en) 2020-08-21 2021-06-21 Self-baking electrode casing assembly

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA202005200 2020-08-21
ZA2020/05200 2020-08-21

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2022038426A1 true WO2022038426A1 (en) 2022-02-24

Family

ID=76971936

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2021/055427 WO2022038426A1 (en) 2020-08-21 2021-06-21 Self-baking electrode casing assembly

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4200465A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2022038426A1 (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE407561C (en) * 1923-11-10 1924-12-29 Norske Elektrokemisk Ind As Process for joining metal shells on continuously self-burning electrodes
US3513245A (en) * 1968-11-22 1970-05-19 Air Reduction Method and apparatus for joining shell sections of soderberg electrodes
US4500764A (en) 1982-11-04 1985-02-19 Veb Gaskombinat Schwarze Pumpe Device for internal welding of pipes or the like
CN104439942A (en) 2014-11-07 2015-03-25 景县电讯金属构件制造有限公司 Manufacturing method of novel tubular tower
NO344720B1 (en) * 2019-04-29 2020-03-23 Momek Services As Device for welding cylindrically sectioned steel sheath around electrode mass in electric melting furnace

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE407561C (en) * 1923-11-10 1924-12-29 Norske Elektrokemisk Ind As Process for joining metal shells on continuously self-burning electrodes
US3513245A (en) * 1968-11-22 1970-05-19 Air Reduction Method and apparatus for joining shell sections of soderberg electrodes
US4500764A (en) 1982-11-04 1985-02-19 Veb Gaskombinat Schwarze Pumpe Device for internal welding of pipes or the like
CN104439942A (en) 2014-11-07 2015-03-25 景县电讯金属构件制造有限公司 Manufacturing method of novel tubular tower
NO344720B1 (en) * 2019-04-29 2020-03-23 Momek Services As Device for welding cylindrically sectioned steel sheath around electrode mass in electric melting furnace
WO2020222653A1 (en) * 2019-04-29 2020-11-05 Momek Services As Device and method for welding cylindrical sections of a casing

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP4200465A1 (en) 2023-06-28

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6353198B1 (en) Welded stator winding splice joint for rotary electric machines and method of forming the same
US10644413B2 (en) Method for joining electrical conductors
WO2022038426A1 (en) Self-baking electrode casing assembly
CN107685190A (en) A kind of die assembly for grounded screen aluminum weld
CN110039251A (en) Tubular member welding tooling and welding method
CN117644260A (en) Spare part for new energy automobile chassis and welding process thereof
CN214418093U (en) Head assembly device
EP4079447A1 (en) Prefabricated yankee cylinder section and manufacturing method for yankee cylinder
US20120088591A1 (en) Method for welding shafts on a vertical rotational axis
CN211465131U (en) Assembly welding device for conical box bottom
CN210306185U (en) Multi-gas shielded welding bearing vehicle
CN207895853U (en) Fuel rod end plug and fuel rod
US3513245A (en) Method and apparatus for joining shell sections of soderberg electrodes
EP2878456B1 (en) Method for manufacturing rear axle, and rear axle
CN109926800B (en) Process method for batch rivet welding of box-type structures
AU2020220777B2 (en) Pile joint, pile link structure, and pile link method
CN110977332B (en) Manufacturing tool and manufacturing method for top structural part of crane
CN210566125U (en) Welding structure for intermediate shaft of transmission
CN216802258U (en) Electrode barrel guiding and positioning plugboard
CN114669955B (en) Method for preventing welding deformation of tube plate structure
CN110695496A (en) Argon filling method for high alloy steel header pipe seat weld crater and welding method
CN111549898A (en) Steel structure and welding process thereof
CN111438428A (en) Rapid assembling and welding method for large-diameter steel pipeline
CN106984889A (en) The production technology of telescopic boom body
CN213028611U (en) Self-baking electrode for submerged arc furnace

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 21743247

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2021743247

Country of ref document: EP

Effective date: 20230321