Robotic system and method for the cleaning of casting ladles in electric arc furnaces

Abstract

In the smelting process, the electric furnace is intended to treat the slag from other furnaces. The slag loading of the electric furnace is carried out using a ladle which cools down after unloading the slag which is adhered to the ladle making it difficult to reload the furnace. For this reason, the ladle must be cleaned on a regular basis. Due to the above, a robot system and method have been developed to clean the electric furnace ladle, which is capable of carrying out such activity automatically through the use of a robotic manipulator. The robotic system is composed mainly of an anthropomorphous robotic manipulator of at least 6 degrees of freedom (1), and one cleaning tool (2) which allows to clean the ladle (3) each time the furnace is loaded (4).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 734,980 filed 2005 Nov 10 by the present inventorFEDERAL SPONSORED RESEARCH [0002] Not Applicable SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM [0003] Not Applicable BACKGROUND [0004] 1. Field of Invention [0005] This invention relates to the use of robotic technology in mining industry, specifically in the electric arc furnaces. [0006] 2. Prior Art [0007] In the metal smelting processes, the smelting furnaces are used and are intended to smelt metals and / or concentrates of metals for purifying and extracting it. These furnaces use the heat generated by the oxidation reactions at high temperatures, obtaining 2 stages: a stage rich in valuable metal, called matte and other stage which is poor in valuable metal called slag. In general terms, the smelting furnaces operate on a continuous basis, while the matte and the slag is unloaded to bins through batch processes through op...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a robot system and method for cleaning the ladle of an electric furnace. The robot can do this job automatically. The technical effect is that it allows for a more efficient and effective cleaning process.

Problems solved by technology

When the slag cools off, it solidifies and adheres to the reception ladle which decreases the effective area through which the furnace is fed.

This means that the furnace cannot be loaded on a constant basis if the ladle is not cleaned which means the furnace production is reduced.

One of the main disadvantages of the tasks associated to the cleaning of ladles is the exposure of the personnel to harsh environmental conditions.

This, in the medium and long term could generate serious occupational diseases to the operators in charge of carrying out this task.

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