WO2025045600A1

WO2025045600A1 - Telescoping charging chute for coke oven battery

Info

Publication number: WO2025045600A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/072951
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alessandro Molinari; Emanuele FAVELLA
Original assignee: Paul Wurth SA
Current assignee: Paul Wurth SA
Priority date: 2023-08-28
Filing date: 2024-08-14
Publication date: 2025-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 2026-02-28
Also published as: TW202513774A; CN121311567A; LU505010B1

Abstract

The invention provides a telescoping charging chute (10) for coke oven battery, comprising an inlet section (12) and a sealing section (16), wherein the inlet section (12), and sealing section (16) are tubular or annular, respectively defining an inlet section axis (X) and a sealing section axis (Z). According to the invention, the telescoping charging chute (10) further comprises an intermediate section (14), the intermediate section (14) being tubular or annular and defining an intermediate section axis (Y), the intermediate section (14) is pivotably connected to the inlet section (12) and the sealing section (16) and arranged therebetween, thereby defining a continuous charging passage, and the telescoping charging chute further comprises a centering mechanism (18) configured to exert a force on the sealing section (16) when the intermediate section axis (Y) is at an angle with the inlet section axis (X), thereby biasing the sealing section axis (Z) vertically.

Description

TELESCOPING CHARGING CHUTE FOR COKE OVEN BATTERY

Technical field

[0001 ] The present invention generally relates to a telescoping charging chute, in particular to a telescoping charging chute for charging coal into a sealed chamber.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Coke oven batteries are widely used to produce coke by heating coal in an air-free environment at temperatures up to about 1300 °C. Coke oven batteries typically comprise a plurality of coking chambers, which are separated from each other by heating walls and covered by a ceiling and a battery roof. Typical installations may comprise more than 100 coking chambers, each chamber having a height ranging from 3,5 to about 8 m, a length from about 12 m up to 16 m and a width from about 0,4 m up to 0.5 m.

[0003] In top-charged coke oven batteries, each coking chamber is provided with at least one charging hole arranged through its ceiling and the battery roof, thereby enabling charging of coal from the battery roof to the inside of the coking chamber. An annular charging frame surrounding the charging hole is provided on the roof, and is covered by a lid outside of charging operations to prevent emission of pollutants.

[0004] A coal charging car is conventionally moved over rails arranged on the battery roof to sequentially feed the coking chambers via their charging hole(s), as required by their coking cycle. A telescoping charging chute is typically mounted on the coal charging car. Such telescoping charging chute generally comprise an inlet section and a sealing section. The inlet section and sealing section are typically cylindrical and/or conical, and are pivotably and sealingly connected to each other so as to define a gas tight charging passage.

[0005] During charging operation, the lid of a charging hole is removed and the telescopic charging chute is vertically lowered such that its sealing section engages said charging hole, thereby preventing emission of pollutants. Coal is then fed to the inlet section, e.g. by means of a screw type feeder and/or a charging funnel, falls through the charging passage defined by the inlet section and the sealing section, and through the charging hole into the coking chamber. [0006] Due to the repeated cycles of thermal expansion undergone by coking chamber ceilings and the battery roof, the actual position of charging holes may be different from their original position, i.e. their position at the time of construction of the coke oven battery. Modern telescopic charging chutes, due to the pivotable connection between the inlet section and the sealing section, can compensate misalignments of up to +/- 40mm. Misalignments can be compensated by telescopic charging chutes as described for example in documents CN 209098572 U, and US 5 384 015 A. However, for greater misalignments such telescopic charging chutes fail to ensure proper sealing between their different sections, or between their sealing section and the charging hole frame. Emissions of pollutants are then dramatically increased, which is of course to be avoided.

[0007] A possible solution to this problem consists in mounting the telescopic charging chute on a frame, which enables translation of the telescopic charging chute along a plane perpendicular to the direction of motion of the coal charging car. Larger misalignments could then be compensated by moving the telescoping charging chute horizontally. However, such a solution would require a large vertical space on the underside of the coal charging car, space which is often unavailable.

Object of the invention

[0008] It is therefore desirable to provide a telescoping charging chute without the above described shortcomings, which is able to compensate misalignments greater than +/- 40mm.

[0009] This object is achieved by the telescoping charging chute according to claim 1.

General Description of the Invention

[0010] The present invention provides a telescoping charging chute for coke oven battery, comprising an inlet section and a sealing section, wherein the inlet section, and sealing section are tubular or annular, respectively defining an inlet section axis and a sealing section axis.

[0011 ] According to the invention, the telescoping charging chute further comprises an intermediate section, the intermediate section being tubular or annular and defining an intermediate section axis. The intermediate section is pivotably connected to the inlet section and the sealing section and is arranged therebetween, thereby defining a continuous charging passage through the inlet section, the intermediate section and the sealing section. The telescoping charging chute further comprises a centering mechanism configured to exert a force on the sealing section when the intermediate section axis is at an angle with the inlet section axis, thereby biasing the sealing section axis vertically.

[0012] The present telescopic charging chute defines an articulated, continuous charging passage with three distinct sections and two distinct joints. In use, the inlet section should be kept substantially vertical to enable charging of coal therethrough. Likewise, the sealing section should be kept substantially vertical to ensure proper sealing with a charging hole frame. The intermediate section connects the inlet section to the sealing section, compensating possible displacements of a charging hole frame whilst enabling the inlet section and the sealing section to remain substantially vertical. In particular, centering means are provided to ensure that the sealing section axis and the intermediate section axis are at the required angle for the sealing section to ensure proper sealing with the charging hole frame. The present telescoping charging chute is thus able to ensure proper sealing between its sealing section and the charging hole frame for misalignments of up to +/- 100mm, thereby reducing emissions of pollutants.

[0013] In embodiments, the centering means comprise elongate elements, preferably ropes or chains, connected at one end to a support frame and at the other end to the sealing section such that, when the intermediate section axis is at an angle with the inlet section axis, the elongate element exert tension on the sealing section, thereby biasing the sealing section axis vertically. Using such centering means enables to constrain the sealing section axis to a predetermined range of angles, depending on the length and arrangement of the elongate elements. Said predetermined range of angles may then be selected to ensure proper coupling between the sealing section and the charging hole frame. Preferably, the sealing section axis is at an angle of at most 10° with the vertical axis.

[0014] The support frame may be movable with respect to the inlet section along the vertical direction. The intermediate section may be pivotably connected to the support frame, thereby enabling rotation of the intermediate section about at least one axis, preferably two axes. For example, the intermediate section may be pivotably connected to the support frame via at least one, preferably two rotating rings. The support frame thus enables both translation of the intermediate section along the vertical axis (e.g. to retract or lower the telescoping charging chute) and rotation of the intermediate section (to compensate for charging hole frame displacements).

[0015] The support frame may comprise actuators configured to control the angle between the intermediate section axis and the inlet section axis. Such actuators may include levers.

[0016] In embodiments, the inlet section comprises a rounded lower portion, the intermediate section comprises an upper portion configured to partially surround said rounded lower portion of the inlet section, and the upper portion of the intermediate section is configured to sealingly engage the rounded lower portion of the inlet section. The inlet section and the intermediate section thus overlap so as to form a joint which both enables rotation of the intermediate section relative to the inlet section, and ensures sealing between the intermediate section and the inlet section.

[0017] In embodiments, the intermediate section comprises a rounded lower portion, the sealing section comprises an upper portion configured to partially surround said rounded lower portion of the intermediate section, and the upper portion of the sealing section is configured to sealingly engage the rounded lower portion of the intermediate section. As above, the sealing section and the intermediate section overlap so as to form a joint which both enables rotation of the sealing section relative to the intermediate section, and ensures sealing between the intermediate section and the sealing section.

[0018] Preferably, the upper portion of the sealing section is rounded. The sealing section may comprise a rounded or a conical lower portion to improve sealing with the charging hole frame.

[0019] The invention further provides a telescoping charging apparatus for coke oven battery, comprising a frame cleaner, a lid lifter, and the telescoping charging chute as described above.

[0020] In embodiments, the telescoping charging apparatus further comprises a screw feeder and a sealing membrane configured to sealingly connect said screw feeder to the inlet section of the telescoping charging chute. The sealing membrane thus prevents leaks/emissions of pollutants between the inlet section and the screw feeder.

[0021 ] In embodiments, each of the frame cleaner and the lid lifter are arranged as an end effector of a robotic arm mounted on the telescoping charging apparatus, and each robotic arm comprises a first actuator configured to enable rotation of said robotic arm in a vertical plane, and at least one additional actuator configured to enable further rotation and/or translation of its respective end effector. The at least one additional actuator enables operation of the frame cleaner/lid lifter for charging hole displacements over +/- 40mm.

[0022] The invention further provides a coal charging car comprising the telescoping charging apparatus as described above, and a coke oven battery comprising at least one coking chamber and such a coal charging car.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] Further details and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of not limiting embodiments with reference to the attached drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross section of a telescoping charging chute according to the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a telescopic charging apparatus according to an aspect of the invention.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0024] Figure 1 illustrates a vertical cross section of a telescoping charging chute 10 according to the invention. The telescoping charging chute 10 comprises an inlet section 12, an intermediate section 14, and a sealing section 16. The inlet section 12, intermediate section 14 and sealing section 16 are annular/ tubular, and are pivotably and sealingly connected to each other so as to define a continuous charging passage.

[0025] More specifically, the inlet section 12 comprises a rounded lower portion 12b, which is surrounded by an upper portion 14a of the intermediate section 14. Said upper portion 14a of the intermediate section 14 comprises an annular surface/edge with a diameter smaller than a diameter of said rounded lower portion 12b of the inlet section 12. The rounded lower portion 12b of the inlet section 12 thus retains the upper portion 14a of the intermediate section 14, thereby limiting downward motion of the latter. Furthermore, when the intermediate section 14 is biased downwardly, e.g. by gravity or by an actuator, the upper portion 14a of the intermediate section 14 sealingly engages the rounded lower portion 12b of the inlet section 12, thereby preventing leaks of pollutants between the inlet section 12 and the intermediate section 14.

[0026] Likewise, the intermediate section 14 comprises a rounded lower portion 14b, which is surrounded by an upper portion 16a of the sealing section 16. Said upper portion 16a of the sealing section 16 is quasi-spherical and closely surrounds the rounded lower portion 14b of the intermediate section 14. The rounded lower portion 14b of the intermediate section 14 thus retains the quasi-spherical upper portion 16a of the sealing section 16, thereby limiting downward motion of the latter. Furthermore, the upper portion 16a of the sealing section 16 sealingly engages the rounded lower portion 14b of the intermediate section 14, thereby preventing leaks of pollutants between the sealing section 16 and the intermediate section 14.

[0027] The telescopic charging chute 10 further comprises a support frame 18, which is translationally coupled to the intermediate section 14 in the vertical direction. The support frame 18 is able to move along the vertical axis with respect to the inlet section 12 using conventional means known in the art. Hence, when the support frame 18 is raised, the intermediate section 14 is moved upward whilst the inlet section 12 is kept static, thereby retracting the telescopic charging chute 10. Conversely, when the support frame 18 is lowered, the intermediate section 14 is moved downwards whilst the inlet section 12 is kept static, thereby deploying the telescopic charging chute 10.

[0028] The intermediate section 14 is pivotably mounted on the support frame 18 so as to enable the rotation of the intermediate section 14 about two different axes. In the embodiment of figure 1 , the support frame 18 comprises two concentrically arranged rotating rings 22, 24 surrounding the intermediate section 14. The intermediate section 14 is rotatably mounted on an inner rotating ring 24, itself rotatably mounted on an outer rotating ring 22, which is kept relatively static in rotation. The two axes of rotation intersect, therefore enabling rotation of the intermediate section 14 about two different axes. Actuators 26 are further arranged to control the rotation of the intermediate section 14 about said two axes.

[0029] The inlet section 12, an intermediate section 14, and a sealing section 16 respectively define an inlet section axis X, an intermediate section axis Y and a sealing section axis Z, which coincide when the telescoping charging chute 10 is in its default, home position. In the embodiment of figure 1 , the inlet section axis X is vertical. When the telescoping charging chute 10 needs to feed a chamber through a charging hole which is displaced from its original position, the intermediate section 14 is rotated about its axes of rotation, such that the intermediate section axis Y is at an angle with the inlet section axis X, i.e. different from 0°, 180°, 360°... In preferred embodiments, to ensure proper sealing between each section of the telescoping charging chute 10, the angle between the intermediate section axis Y and the inlet section axis X, and the angle between the intermediate section axis Y and the sealing section axis Z are kept below 14°. Advantageously, the sealing section 16 comprises a conical lower portion 16b adapted to sealingly engage a correspondingly shaped portion of the charging hole frame.

[0030] Elongate chains 20 are connected at one end to the support frame 18 and at the other end to the sealing section 16, such that, when the intermediate section axis Y is at an angle with the inlet section axis X, the chains 20 exert tension on the sealing section 16, thereby biasing it vertically. The elongate chains 20 thus act as centering means for the sealing section axis Z. It is noted that other centering means could alternatively or additionally be used, such as e.g. a counterweight arranged at the lower end of the sealing section 16 to tilt the latter downwards.

[0031 ] The telescopic charging chute 10 may be mounted on a telescopic charging apparatus 100, as shown on figure 2. The telescopic charging apparatus 100 further comprises a lid lifter 102 and a frame cleaner 104. The lid lifter 102 and the frame cleaner 104 are arranged as end effectors of robotic arms 106, 108 mounted on the telescopic charging apparatus 100, which may itself be mounted on a coal charging car. The robotic arms 106, 108 are pivotable within a plane parallel to the direction of motion of the coal charging car, and further comprise an additional actuator 110, 112 configured to enable further translation and/or rotation of their respective end effector relative to the base of said robotic arm 106, 108. [0032] The telescopic charging apparatus 100 further comprises a screw feeder configured to introduce coal to the inlet section 12. A sealing membrane is interposed between the screw feeder and the inlet section 12 to prevent leaks of pollutant gas therebetween.

[0033] A coal charging car comprising the above telescopic charging apparatus 100 can be used in a coke oven battery to feed coal to coking chamber via a charging hole. Such charging hole typically comprise a charging hole frame which is covered by a lid outside of charging operations. When the charging car typically moves along rails arranged on the roof of the coke oven battery to sequentially supply the coking chambers with coal. When a coking chamber is to be fed with coal, the lid lifter 102 of the coke charging car is actuated to lift the lid of the charging hole frame. The position of the lid lifter 102 may be fine-tuned using the additional actuator to match the position of a displaced charging hole. Once the lid removed, the telescopic charging chute 10 (previously in the retracted position) is partially lowered and the rotation of the intermediate section 14 is adjusted such that the sealing section 16 is vertically aligned with the charging hole frame. The telescopic charging chute 10 is subsequently lowered until the sealing section 16 sealingly engages the charging hole frame.

Claims

1. Telescoping charging chute (10) for coke oven battery, comprising an inlet section (12) and a sealing section (16), wherein the inlet section (12), and sealing section (16) are tubular or annular, respectively defining an inlet section axis (X) and a sealing section axis (Z); wherein the telescoping charging chute (10) further comprises an intermediate section (14), the intermediate section (14) being tubular or annular and defining an intermediate section axis (Y); and wherein the intermediate section (14) is pivotably connected to the inlet section (12) and the sealing section (16) and arranged therebetween, thereby defining a continuous charging passage through the inlet section, the intermediate section and the sealing section; characterized in that the telescoping charging chute further comprises a centering mechanism (18) configured to exert a force on the sealing section (16) when the intermediate section axis (Y) is at an angle with the inlet section axis (X), thereby biasing the sealing section axis (Z) vertically.

2. Telescoping charging chute according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the centering means (18) comprise elongate elements (20), preferably ropes or chains, connected at one end to a support frame (22) and at the other end to the sealing section (16) such that, when the intermediate section axis (Y) is at an angle with the inlet section axis (X), the elongate element (20) exert tension on the sealing section (16), thereby biasing the sealing section axis (Z) vertically.

3. Telescoping charging chute according to claim 2, wherein the support frame (22) is movable with respect to the inlet section (12) along the vertical direction.

4. Telescoping charging chute according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the intermediate section (14) is pivotably connected to the support frame (22), thereby enabling rotation of the intermediate section (14) about at least one axis, preferably two axes.

5. Telescoping charging chute according to claim 4, wherein the intermediate section (14) is pivotably connected to the support frame via at least one, preferably two rotating rings (24).

6. Telescoping charging chute according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the support frame (22) comprises actuators (26) configured to control the angle between the intermediate section axis (Y) and the inlet section axis (X), preferably wherein the actuators (26) comprise levers.

7. Telescoping charging chute according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet section (12) comprises a rounded lower portion (12b); wherein the intermediate section (14) comprises an upper portion (14a) configured to partially surround said rounded lower portion (12b) of the inlet section (12); and wherein the upper portion (14a) of the intermediate section (14) is configured to sealingly engage the rounded lower portion (12b) of the inlet section (12).

8. Telescoping charging chute according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate section (14) comprises a rounded lower portion (14b); wherein the sealing section (16) comprises an upper portion (16a) configured to partially surround said rounded lower portion of the intermediate section (14); and wherein the upper portion (16a) of the sealing section (16) is configured to sealingly engage the rounded lower portion (14b) of the intermediate section (14).

9. Telescoping charging chute according to the preceding claim, wherein the upper portion (16a) of the sealing section (16) is rounded.

10. Telescoping charging chute according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing section (16) comprises a rounded or a conical lower portion (16b).

11. Telescoping charging apparatus (100), comprising a frame cleaner (104), a lid lifter (102), and the telescoping charging chute (10) according to any of the preceding claims.

12. Telescoping charging apparatus according to the previous claim, further comprising a screw feeder and a sealing membrane configured to sealingly connect said screw feeder to the inlet section (12) of the telescoping charging chute.

13. Telescoping charging apparatus according to the previous claim, wherein each of the frame cleaner (104) and the lid lifter (102) are arranged as an end effector of a robotic arm (106, 108) mounted on the telescoping charging apparatus (100), and wherein each robotic arm comprises a first actuator configured to enable rotation of said robotic arm in a vertical plane, and at least one additional actuator configured to enable further rotation and/or translation of its respective end effector.

14. Coal charging car comprising the telescopic charging apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 13.

15. Coke oven battery comprising at least one coking chamber and the coal charging car according to the previous claim.

16. Use of the telescoping charging chute according to any of claim 1 to 10 to charge coal into a sealed chamber.