melting apparatus

Abstract

A melting apparatus that melts a metal raw material using an arc formed by energizing an arc electrode, comprising: a furnace main body into which the metal raw material to be melted is charged; a main preheating chamber configured to be capable of storing the metal raw material and provided with a charging port for charging the metal raw material into the furnace main body, the main preheating chamber being used to preheat the metal raw material using exhaust gas introduced from the furnace main body through the charging port; a pusher having a push-out member and a push-out member drive device that reciprocally moves the push-out member within the main preheating chamber, the pusher being used to push the metal raw material from the main preheating chamber into the interior of the furnace main body by moving the push-out member toward the charging port; and a preheating passage connected to the main preheating chamber and provided with a transfer device that transfers the metal raw material in a lateral direction at a position higher than a lower edge of the charging port of the main preheating chamber, the preheating passage being used to supply the metal raw material to the main preheating chamber using the transfer device while preheating the metal raw material using the exhaust gas.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a melting apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0002] As a melting apparatus that performs melting of a metal raw material such as scrap iron, there is known a melting apparatus that continuously performs supply of the metal raw material and preheats the metal raw material charged into a melting furnace using exhaust gas. As such a melting apparatus, for example, a melting apparatus is disclosed in Patent Literature 1 in which a melting furnace and a preheating tank are integrated, and the metal raw material is supplied from the preheating tank to the melting furnace while maintaining airtightness. Further, for example, a melting apparatus is disclosed in Patent Literature 2 in which a preheating tank (preheating passage) is horizontally arranged.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-248356

[0006] Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 53-146342 SUMMARY

[0007] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0008] In the melting apparatus described in Patent Literature 1, in order to discharge or to perform slagging, the furnace main body and the preheating tank are integrally tilted, and thus, in the case where the preheating tank is additionally provided by modifying the existing melting furnace, it is necessary to provide the preheating tank while suppressing interference with a building column or the like. Therefore, it is difficult to provide the preheating tank to the existing factory in a short time. On the other hand, in the melting apparatus described in Patent Literature 2, since the preheating tank is not tilted, it is easy to modify the existing melting furnace to additionally provide the preheating tank as compared with the melting apparatus described in Patent Literature 1. However, since the preheating passage is horizontally arranged, the exhaust gas from the furnace main body for preheating of the metal raw material flows above the metal raw material. Therefore, there is a problem that the exhaust gas at a high temperature is difficult to pass through between the metal raw materials, and the preheating efficiency is relatively low.

[0009] The present application has been achieved in view of such a problem, and an object thereof is to provide a melting apparatus that can efficiently preheat a metal raw material even when a horizontal preheating passage that is easy to provide by modifying the existing melting furnace is used.

[0010] TECHNICAL SOLUTION FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0011] The main invention for achieving the above-mentioned objective is a melting device that melts metal raw materials using an electric arc formed by energizing an electric arc electrode. It is characterized by comprising: a furnace body for loading the metal raw material to be melted; a main preheating chamber configured to store the metal raw material and provided with a loading inlet for loading the metal raw material into the furnace body, the main preheating chamber being used to preheat the metal raw material using waste gas introduced from the furnace body through the loading inlet; and a pusher having a pushing member and a pushing member drive device for reciprocating the pushing member within the main preheating chamber, the pusher being used to move the pushing member toward the loading inlet to... The main preheating chamber pushes the metal raw material into the interior of the furnace body; and a preheating channel is connected to the main preheating chamber and has a conveying device for laterally conveying the metal raw material at a position higher than the lower edge of the loading inlet of the main preheating chamber. The preheating channel is used to preheat the metal raw material using the waste gas introduced from the furnace body through the main preheating chamber, and to supply the metal raw material to the main preheating chamber using the conveying device. The melting equipment is configured such that the metal raw material accumulated in the main preheating chamber can be preheated in the main preheating chamber until it is pushed out by the pusher and loaded into the furnace body.

[0012] Other features of the invention will become apparent from the description and drawings herein.

[0013] Invention Effects

[0014] According to the present invention, even when using a horizontal preheating channel that can be easily modified from an existing melting furnace, metal raw materials can be preheated efficiently. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the melting apparatus 10 according to this embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2A This is a top view showing the melting apparatus 10 of this embodiment. Figure 2B This is a cross-sectional view showing the melting apparatus 10 of this embodiment.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view showing details of the vicinity of the main preheating chamber 12.

[0018] Figure 4A This is a top view of the melting apparatus 100 of the first comparative example. Figure 4B This is a side view of the melting apparatus 10 of the first comparative example.

[0019] Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram showing the preheating of the metal raw material 1 in the melting equipment 101 of the second comparative example.

[0020] Figure 6A and Figure 6B is a view showing a state before the metal raw material 1 is charged.

[0021] Figure 7A and Figure 7B is a view showing a state in the middle of charging the metal raw material 1.

[0022] Figure 8A and Figure 8B is a view showing a maximum advanced position of the pusher member 26 with respect to the movable floor member 35.

[0023] Figure 9A and Figure 9B is a view showing a state where the metal raw material 1 is charged.

[0024] Figure 10A and Figure 10B is an explanatory view showing a melting apparatus 10' which is a modification of the melting apparatus 10 of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] According to the description and drawings described later, at least the following matters are clarified.

[0026] A melting apparatus is clarified which melts a metal raw material by an electric arc formed by energizing an electric arc electrode, characterized by having: a furnace main body into which the metal raw material to be melted is charged; a main preheating chamber configured to be able to store the metal raw material and provided with a charging inlet for charging the metal raw material into the furnace main body, the main preheating chamber being for preheating the metal raw material by exhaust gas introduced from the furnace main body through the charging inlet; a pusher having a pusher member and a pusher member drive device which reciprocally moves the pusher member within the main preheating chamber, the pusher being for pushing out the metal raw material from the main preheating chamber into the inside of the furnace main body by moving the pusher member toward the charging inlet; and a preheating passage connected to the main preheating chamber and having a transfer device which transfers the metal raw material in a lateral direction at a position higher than a lower edge of the charging inlet of the main preheating chamber, the preheating passage being for preheating the metal raw material by the exhaust gas introduced from the furnace main body through the main preheating chamber while supplying the metal raw material to the main preheating chamber by the transfer device, the melting apparatus being configured such that the metal raw material stored in the main preheating chamber is able to be preheated within the main preheating chamber until being pushed out by the pusher and charged into the furnace main body.

[0027] According to such a melting apparatus, even if a horizontal preheating passage which is easily set by modifying an already existing melting furnace is used, the metal raw material can be efficiently preheated.

[0028] In the melting apparatus, preferably, the upper and lower direction position of the bottom of the preheating passage at the connection portion of the main preheating chamber is higher than the center in the upper and lower direction of the charging port of the main preheating chamber.

[0029] According to such a melting apparatus, it is possible to reduce the cross-sectional area of the space above the accumulated metal raw material through which the exhaust gas passes without passing through the gap of the metal raw material.

[0030] In the melting apparatus, preferably, a linking device is further provided, which is capable of switching the state of the boundary between a fixed portion and a movable portion between a linked state and a separated state, the fixed portion including at least the preheating passage and being fixed with respect to the base, the movable portion including at least the furnace main body and being configured to be relatively movable with respect to the fixed portion so as to be able to tilt when the molten metal obtained by melting the metal raw material is discharged, the linked state being the state when the metal raw material is charged from the main preheating chamber into the furnace main body, and the separated state being the state when the molten metal is discharged from the furnace main body.

[0031] According to such a melting apparatus, it is possible to charge the metal raw material transferred in the preheating passage constituting the fixed portion into the furnace main body constituting the movable portion, and to tilt only the movable portion when the molten metal is discharged from the furnace main body.

[0032] In the melting apparatus, preferably, the linking device includes a movable floor member constituting at least a portion of the floor portion of the main preheating chamber, and a floor member driving device that drives the movable floor member, and is configured to be able to make the boundary the linked state by moving the movable floor member to a linking position at which the movable floor member crosses the boundary, and to be able to make the boundary the separated state by moving the movable floor member to a retreat position at which the movable floor member retreats to the fixed portion side from the boundary.

[0033] According to such a melting apparatus, it is possible to switch the linked state and the separated state with a simple structure.

[0034] ==This Embodiment==

[0035] <Overall Structure of Melting Apparatus 10>

[0036] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the melting apparatus 10 of this embodiment. Figure 2A is a plan view showing the melting apparatus 10 of this embodiment. Figure 2B is a sectional view showing the melting apparatus 10 of this embodiment. In addition, in Figure 1 andFigure 2A In the figure, illustration of a part of the melting apparatus 10 (e.g., the furnace cover 21 and the arc electrode 23) is omitted.

[0037] Hereinafter, the explanation is sometimes made in the direction shown in the figures. That is, in the direction in which the metal raw material 1 is transferred in the preheating passage 14, the side of the furnace main body 11 is called "front", the opposite side is called "rear", and the direction along the transfer direction is called "front-rear direction". In addition, the vertical direction is also called "up-down direction". In addition, the direction orthogonal to the "front-rear direction" and the "up-down direction" is set as "left-right direction", the right side when the front side is viewed from the rear side is set as "right", and the left side is set as "left".

[0038] In the present embodiment, the melting apparatus 10 is an apparatus that melts and refines the metal raw material 1 to produce molten steel. As the metal raw material 1 to be melted in the melting apparatus 10, scrap iron, direct reduced iron (DRI), hot briquetted iron (HBI), pig iron (ingot), and the like can be used. In the following explanation, the component obtained by melting the metal raw material 1 and used for molten steel is sometimes referred to as "molten metal".

[0039] The melting apparatus 10 is an arc melting apparatus. In the arc melting apparatus, an arc is generated from an electrode (arc electrode) provided in the furnace by applying electric power to the electrode. Also, in the arc melting apparatus, the metal raw material 1 is heated by the heat (arc heat) of the arc generated from the arc electrode to be melted.

[0040] In addition, in the arc melting apparatus, a large amount of electric power is consumed for the melting of the metal raw material 1. Therefore, in the melting apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the melting is performed while the metal raw material 1 is preheated by the exhaust gas generated from the furnace main body 11, and the required electric power is drastically reduced.

[0041] The melting apparatus 10 has a gate hopper 15, a preheating passage 14, a main preheating chamber 12, a pusher 13, a furnace main body 11, and a connecting device 30.

[0042] The gate hopper 15 is a device that supplies the metal raw material 1 into the preheating passage 14. As shown in FIG. 1, the gate hopper 15 is provided at the upper side of the preheating passage 14 at the rear end portion of the preheating passage 14. A gate (not shown) that can be opened and closed is provided at the lower portion of the gate hopper 15. The gate hopper 15 stores the metal raw material 1 in the inside, and supplies the metal raw material 1 into the preheating passage 14 by opening the gate. Figure 1-2B

[0043] ​The preheating passage 14 has a function of transferring the metal raw material 1 inside thereof toward the main preheating chamber 12, and divides a space in which the metal raw material 1 is preheated by the exhaust gas introduced from the furnace main body 11. As shown in Figure 1-2B the preheating passage 14 is formed in a passage shape extending in the front-rear direction. In addition, the end portion of the front side of the preheating passage 14 is connected to the main preheating chamber 12. During the transfer of the metal raw material 1 in the internal space of the preheating passage 14 toward the main preheating chamber 12, the exhaust gas introduced from the furnace main body 11 via the main preheating chamber 12 flows in the internal space of the preheating passage 14, so that the metal raw material 1 is preheated.

[0044] In the present embodiment, the preheating passage 14 is mainly composed of a cover portion 31 covering the upper side and a transfer device 32 having a U-shaped cross section, which receives the metal raw material 1 at the lower side of the preheating passage 14 and transfers the metal raw material 1 in the lateral direction by vibrating as a whole. The internal space of the preheating passage 14 is divided by the cover portion 31 and the transfer device 32. In addition, as shown in Figure 1-2B the end portion of the front side of the preheating passage 14 is connected to the main preheating chamber 12. In the present embodiment, the transfer device 32 is a horizontal vibration conveyor as described above, but the transfer device 32 can also be a belt conveyor, and can also be other transfer devices as long as it is a device capable of transferring the metal raw material 1 in a high-temperature environment.

[0045] The main preheating chamber 12 is a portion configured to be able to store the metal raw material 1 for a predetermined period before being charged into the furnace main body 11, and is capable of preheating the metal raw material 1 stored in the main preheating chamber 12 by the exhaust gas. As shown in Figure 1-2B the main preheating chamber 12 is provided at the front side of the preheating passage 14 and at the rear side of the furnace main body 11. In other words, the main preheating chamber 12 is provided between the furnace main body 11 and the preheating passage 14 in the transfer direction (front-rear direction) of the metal raw material 1. The metal raw material 1 transferred by the preheating passage 14 is stored in the main preheating chamber 12 for a predetermined period, during which the metal raw material 1 is preheated by the exhaust gas.

[0046] As shown in Figure 2B the main preheating chamber 12, a charging port 16 is provided at the boundary with the furnace main body 11. The charging port 16 is an opening for charging the metal raw material 1 into the furnace main body 11. The main preheating chamber 12 becomes a space in communication with the furnace main body 11 via the charging port 16. Therefore, in the melting apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the exhaust gas generated by melting the metal raw material 1 in the furnace main body 11 is introduced into the main preheating chamber 12 through the charging port 16. The other detailed structure and functions of the main preheating chamber 12 will be described later.

[0047] The pusher 13 is a device that pushes the metal raw material 1 toward the furnace main body 11. The pusher 13 is provided at the rear side of the main preheating chamber 12 and at the lower side of the preheating passage 14. The metal raw material 1 that is transferred through the preheating passage 14 and stored in the main preheating chamber 12 is pushed out toward the furnace main body 11 by the pusher 13. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the predetermined period during which the metal raw material 1 is stored in the main preheating chamber 12 is the period from when the metal raw material 1 is charged into the main preheating chamber 12 until the metal raw material 1 is pushed out by the pusher 13 and charged into the furnace main body 11. The other detailed structure and functions of the pusher 13 will be described later.

[0048] The furnace main body 11 is the main body of the melting furnace in which the metal raw material 1 is charged and melted by arc heat. As shown in Figure 2B , the metal raw material 1 is heated and melted in the furnace main body 11, forming molten metal 2 and molten slag 3. The molten metal 2 is refined as necessary, such as decarburization, and is discharged (tapped) as molten steel from a not-illustrated tap hole. In addition, the molten slag 3 is discharged before the molten steel is discharged.

[0049] As shown in Figure 1-2B , the furnace main body 11 is provided at the front side of the main preheating chamber 12. That is, at the end portion of the front direction in which the metal raw material 1 is transferred. The metal raw material 1 that is stored in the main preheating chamber 12 and preheated is charged into the furnace main body 11 from the charging port 16 and is melted in the furnace main body 11. The furnace main body 11 is formed of an iron outer shell having a water cooling structure and a furnace lining (refractory) laid on the inner side thereof. However, the furnace main body 11 can also be formed of other structures.

[0050] The furnace main body 11 has a furnace cover 21, a furnace lining 22, and arc electrodes 23. The furnace cover 21 is a cover member provided at the upper portion of the furnace main body 11 in an openable and closable manner. The furnace lining 22 is provided at the bottom portion of the furnace main body 11 as a storage portion of the molten metal 2 and is formed of a refractory. The arc electrodes 23 are electrodes that generate arcs. As shown in Figure 2B , the arc electrodes 23 are provided so as to penetrate the furnace cover 21 from the upper side of the furnace cover 21 and be inserted into the inside of the furnace main body 11. In addition, three arc electrodes 23 are inserted into the inside of the furnace main body 11. In addition, the method of providing the arc electrodes 23 and the number thereof are not limited to the manner shown in Figure 2B .

[0051] In the present embodiment, the arc electrodes 23 are energized by applying an alternating voltage from a not-illustrated power source to the arc electrodes 23. Thereby, arcs are generated between the arc electrodes 23 and the metal raw material 1 in the furnace main body 11, and the metal raw material 1 can be heated and melted by arc heat (that is, molten metal 2 can be obtained).

[0052] In addition, the detailed structure of the furnace main body 11 is not limited to the structure (furnace cover 21, furnace lining 22, and arc electrodes 23) described above. For example, although in the present embodiment the furnace cover 21 is provided at the upper portion of the furnace main body 11, the furnace cover 21 can be provided at the side portion of the furnace main body 11.Figure 1-2B Although not shown in the diagram, the furnace body 11 may also include an oxygen inlet lance and a carbon material inlet lance. The oxygen inlet lance and the carbon material inlet lance can be configured to penetrate the furnace cover 21 and move vertically inside the furnace body 11. Oxygen is blown into the furnace body 11 from the oxygen inlet lance. Additionally, carbonaceous materials such as coke, charcoal, coal, wood charcoal, and graphite are blown into the furnace body 11 from the carbon material inlet lance using air or nitrogen as the transport gas. By including the oxygen inlet lance and the carbon material inlet lance, refining processes such as decarburization of the molten metal 2 can be performed.

[0053] Additionally, the furnace body 11 may also have a tilting mechanism (not shown). By tilting the furnace body 11 using the tilting mechanism, the molten metal 2 can be tapped and the slag 3 can be discharged. Focusing on the tilting mechanism's effect on the furnace body 11, as follows... Figure 1-3 As shown, in this embodiment, the melting apparatus 10 is divided into a fixed portion 10A and a movable portion 10B at the boundary 10C. The fixed portion 10A is the portion fixed relative to the base and includes the preheating channel 14. Alternatively, the fixed portion 10A may also include components other than the preheating channel 14. The movable portion 10B is configured to be movable relative to the fixed portion 10A and includes the furnace body 11. That is, the movable portion 10B is linked to the tilting motion of the furnace body 11. Alternatively, the movable portion 10B may also include components other than the furnace body 11.

[0054] The connecting device 30 is a device capable of switching the state of the boundary between the fixed part 10A and the movable part 10B between a connected state and a separated state. The connected state is the state when the metal raw material 1 is loaded from the main preheating chamber 12 into the furnace body 11. Specifically, for example, it is the state where the movable base plate member 35 (described later) is in the position crossing the boundary, i.e., the connected position, thereby establishing a bridge between the fixed part 10A and the movable part 10B to facilitate the smooth movement of the metal raw material 1. When the boundary is in the connected state, it is necessary to at least not impede the movement of the pusher member 26 of the pusher 13 (described later) across the boundary. On the other hand, the separated state is the state in which the molten metal 2 obtained from the molten metal raw material 1 is discharged from the furnace body 11. Specifically, for example, it is the state in which the movable bottom plate member 35, described later, is in a position retracted to the side closer to the fixed part 10A than the boundary, i.e., a retracted position. Therefore, the tilting of the movable part 10B is not hindered by the movable bottom plate member 35, and the molten metal 2 can be discharged from the furnace body 11. When the boundary is in the separated state, in order to discharge from the furnace body 11, the movable part 10B of the melting equipment 10 needs to be relatively movable relative to the fixed part 10A. Furthermore, the melting equipment 10 may not have the connecting device 30. Further detailed structure and function of the connecting device 30 will be described later.

[0055] <Main preheating chamber 12>

[0056] Figure 3 is a sectional view showing details in the vicinity of the main preheating chamber 12.

[0057] In the present embodiment, the transfer device 32 of the preheating passage 14 transfers the metal raw material 1 in the horizontal direction. Also, in the present embodiment, the transfer device 32 of the preheating passage 14 transfers the metal raw material 1 at a position higher than the lower edge of the loading inlet 16 of the main preheating chamber 12. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3 the metal raw material 1 transferred to the front end of the transfer device 32 is accumulated in the main preheating chamber 12 on the more front side at a position falling from the transfer height of the metal raw material 1 (i.e., the position higher than the lower edge of the loading inlet 16 of the main preheating chamber 12) by a predetermined degree. In the present embodiment, the range in the front-rear direction of the main preheating chamber 12 is from the end on the front side of the transfer device 32 to the loading inlet 16. Therefore, a part (the end on the front side) of the preheating passage 14 (the cover portion 31) will divide a part of the main preheating chamber 12. However, as long as it is a range in which the metal raw material 1 can be accumulated for a predetermined period, the range in the front-rear direction of the main preheating chamber 12 can be a range other than this.

[0058] In addition, in the present embodiment, by causing the metal raw material 1 to be accumulated in the main preheating chamber 12 for a predetermined period, the metal raw material 1 is accumulated until the height of the metal raw material 1 piled up in the main preheating chamber 12 approaches the above-mentioned transfer height of the metal raw material 1. In this way, as shown in Figure 3 the cross-sectional area C of the space above the piled-up metal raw material 1 becomes small. Here, Figure 3 the cross-sectional area C shown in represents the size of the space through which the exhaust gas passes without passing through the gaps of the metal raw material 1. Therefore, if the cross-sectional area C becomes small, more exhaust gas passes through the gaps of the metal raw material 1, and the preheating of the metal raw material 1 can be performed more efficiently.

[0059] Also, as shown in Figure 3 in the present embodiment, the vertical position (A) of the bottom of the preheating passage 14 at the connection portion with the main preheating chamber 12 is at a position higher than the center (B) in the vertical direction of the loading inlet 16 of the main preheating chamber 12. Thereby, too, it is possible to reduce the cross-sectional area C of the space above the piled-up metal raw material 1, more exhaust gas passes through the gaps of the metal raw material 1, and the preheating of the metal raw material 1 can be performed more efficiently.

[0060] As described above, the metal raw material 1 accumulated in the main preheating chamber 12 for a predetermined period is pushed out toward the furnace main body 11 by the pusher 13. As shown in Figure 3As shown, the pusher 13 has a pusher member 26 and a pusher member drive device 27. The pusher member 26 is a member that pushes the metal raw material 1 toward the furnace main body 11 side. The pusher member drive device 27 is a device that reciprocally moves the pusher member 26 in the direction in which the metal raw material 1 is pushed out (specifically, the direction from the end portion on the side opposite to the charging port 16 toward the charging port 16 in the main preheating chamber 12). By reciprocally moving the pusher member 26 using the pusher member drive device 27 to push the metal raw material 1 toward the furnace main body 11 side, it is possible to more directly and stably control the amount of the metal raw material 1 charged into the furnace main body compared to the case where the metal raw material is charged into the furnace main body using a stick-slip type horizontal vibration conveyor.

[0061] In addition, as shown in Figure 3 As shown, the above-described link device 30 has the above-described movable floor member 35 and a floor member drive device 36. The movable floor member 35 is a member that constitutes at least a portion of the floor portion of the main preheating chamber 12. The floor member drive device 36 is a device that moves the movable floor member 35 between a linked position that straddles the boundary 10C and a retracted position that is retracted to the fixed portion 10A side of the boundary 10C. In addition, by retracting the movable floor member 35 to the fixed portion 10A side of the boundary 10C, the furnace main body 11 that constitutes the movable portion 10B can be tilted without interfering with the movable floor member 35. In the present embodiment, it is possible to switch between the linked state and the separated state by the simple structure in which the movable floor member 35 is moved between the linked position and the retracted position.

[0062] <Comparative Example>

[0063] • First Comparative Example

[0064] Figure 4A is a plan view showing the melting apparatus 100 of the first comparative example. Figure 4B is a side view showing the melting apparatus 100 of the first comparative example.

[0065] The melting apparatus 100 of the first comparative example has a furnace main body 11 for melting the metal raw material 1 using an electric arc and a preheating tank 40 that stores the raw material. Also, the metal raw material 1 in the preheating tank 40 is preheated by the heat possessed by the exhaust gas introduced from the furnace main body 11. In addition, the melting apparatus 100 has a furnace main body tilting mechanism 42 that tilts the furnace main body 11 and a preheating tank tilting mechanism 41 that tilts the preheating tank 40, and the furnace main body 11 and the preheating tank 40 are tilted in synchronization when molten metal is tapped from the furnace main body 11. In the following description, the melting apparatus 100 of the first comparative example is sometimes referred to as a "vertical preheating tank type melting apparatus".

[0066] In association with the case where the exhaust gas is used to preheat the metal raw material 1, the melting apparatus 100 is a configuration in which the furnace main body 11 and the preheating tank 40 are integrated, and the exhaust gas is discharged through the gaps of the metal raw material 1, so that the metal raw material 1 can be preheated with high thermal efficiency while maintaining the airtightness. However, in the melting apparatus 100 of the first comparative example, it is necessary to be provided while avoiding interference of the preheating tank 40 with the building column and the like, and it is difficult to be provided in a short time to the existing factory.

[0067] • Second Comparative Example

[0068] Figure 5 is an explanatory view showing the state of preheating the metal raw material 1 in the melting apparatus 101 of the second comparative example.

[0069] In the melting apparatus 101 of the second comparative example, the preheating tank (preheating passage 14) is horizontally arranged. In the following description, the melting apparatus 101 of the second comparative example is sometimes referred to as a "melting apparatus of a horizontal preheating tank type". In the melting apparatus 101 of the second comparative example, the connection car 44 carrying the metal raw material 1 is moved to the connection portion with the furnace main body 11 in the preheating passage 14, so that the metal raw material 1 is charged to the furnace main body 11. Further, the connection car 44 in which the charging of the metal raw material 1 is completed is moved to the rear side, so that the furnace main body 11 can be tilted without interfering with the connection car 44.

[0070] Therefore, in the melting apparatus 101 of the second comparative example, the preheating passage 14 is not tilted, so that it is easy to retrofit the existing melting furnace to additionally provide the preheating device (preheating passage) compared to the melting apparatus 100 of the first comparative example. However, the metal raw material 1 is horizontally transported in the preheating passage 14 and then charged to the furnace main body 11, so that, as shown in Figure 5 the exhaust gas from the furnace main body 11 for preheating the metal raw material 1 flows above the metal raw material 1, and there is a problem that the high-temperature exhaust gas is difficult to pass through the metal raw material 1, and the preheating efficiency is relatively low.

[0071] On the contrary, in the present embodiment, as shown in the above-described Figure 3 more exhaust gas passes through the gaps of the metal raw material 1 compared to the melting apparatus 101 of the second comparative example, so that the preheating of the metal raw material 1 can be more efficiently performed. That is, even if the horizontal preheating passage 14 used in the melting apparatus of the horizontal preheating tank type is used, the metal raw material 1 can be preheated with high efficiency.

[0072] In the melting apparatus of the horizontal preheating tank type, the metal raw material 1 is mainly preheated by radiation heat since the exhaust gas flows above the metal raw material 1. However, in the melting apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, in addition to the exhaust gas flowing above the metal raw material 1, the high-temperature exhaust gas also passes through the gaps of the metal raw material 1 within the main preheating chamber 12. That is, in addition to the preheating based on the radiation heat, the direct preheating based on the convection heat is also performed in a higher proportion.

[0073] <Operation of the pusher 13 and the connecting device 30>

[0074] Figure 6A and Figure 6B are views showing a state before the metal raw material 1 is charged. Also, in Figure 6A (later-described Figure 7A , Figure 8A and Figure 9A as well), a sectional perspective view of the vicinity of the main preheating chamber 12 is shown, and in Figure 6B (later-described Figure 7B , Figure 8B and Figure 9B as well), a sectional view of the vicinity of the main preheating chamber 12 is shown.

[0075] In the state shown in Figure 6A and Figure 6B , the movable floor member 35 is located at a retreat position retreated to the fixed portion 10A side (rear side) than the boundary 10C together with the push-out member 26. At this time, the furnace main body 11 constituting the movable portion 10B does not interfere with the movable floor member 35, and thus is in a state capable of tilting without being restrained from the preheating passage 14 side constituting the fixed portion 10A. That is, the boundary 10C is in a state of separation at the time of tapping the molten metal 2 from the furnace main body 11. When the boundary 10C is in this separated state, in a case where the molten metal 2 has already been obtained, the molten metal 2 can be tapped from the furnace main body 11 by tilting the furnace main body 11 constituting the movable portion 10B.

[0076] Figure 7A and Figure 7B are views showing a state in the middle of charging the metal raw material 1.

[0077] In Figure 7A and Figure 7B , the movable floor member 35 is moved from the retreat position to the front side and is located at a connecting position across the boundary 10C. At this time, the movable floor member 35 constitutes at least a part of the floor portion of the main preheating chamber 12 and can accumulate the metal raw material 1 within the main preheating chamber 12. Also, the push-out member 26 charges the metal raw material 1 into the furnace main body 11 by pushing the metal raw material 1 to the furnace main body 11 side in the push-out direction. Figure 7A and Figure 7BThe illustrated state is a state of connection when the metal raw material 1 is charged into the furnace main body 11 from the main preheating chamber 12. At this time, the exhaust gas from the furnace main body 11 passes through the gap of the metal raw material 1, thereby preheating the metal raw material 1.

[0078] Figure 8A And Figure 8B is a view showing the maximum advanced position of the push-out member 26 with respect to the movable floor member 35.

[0079] As Figure 8A and Figure 8B shown, by advancing the front end of the push-out member 26 to the charging port 16 provided at the front side of the main preheating chamber 12, at least the metal raw material 1 on the front side of the movable floor member 35 in the main preheating chamber 12 is charged into the furnace main body 11.

[0080] Figure 9A And Figure 9B is a view showing the state of completion of charging of the metal raw material 1.

[0081] When the charging of the metal raw material 1 into the furnace main body 11 is completed, as Figure 9A and Figure 9B shown, the push-out member 26 is retracted to the fixed portion 10A side (rear side) than the boundary 10C. Further, after the state shown in Figure 9A and Figure 9B , the movable floor member 35 is also retracted to the fixed portion 10A side (rear side) than the boundary 10C, and is positioned at the retracted position. That is, it becomes the separated state shown in Figure 6A and Figure 6B , and becomes a state in which it can be inclined with respect to the preheating passage 14 constituting the fixed portion 10A. By inclining the furnace main body 11 constituting the movable portion 10B, the molten metal 2 can be discharged from the furnace main body 11.

[0082] <Modification Example>

[0083] Figure 10A And Figure 10B is a view showing a melting apparatus 10' which is a modification example of the above-described melting apparatus 10 of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the parts different from the melting apparatus 10 will be described.

[0084] In the melting apparatus 10 of the above-described embodiment, the metal raw material 1 is transferred in the front-rear direction and charged into the furnace main body 11 on the front side. However, in the present modification, at the front end of the preheating passage 14, the transfer direction of the metal raw material 1 is bent by 90 degrees and charged into the furnace main body 11 on the left side. In this case as well, even if a horizontal preheating passage is provided by modifying an already installed melting furnace, the metal raw material can be efficiently preheated. Furthermore, the preheating passage 14 can be provided so as to extend in an arbitrary direction different from the melting apparatus 10, that is, in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the preheating passage of the melting apparatus 10 extends, in accordance with the positional relationship between the furnace main body 11 and the already installed surrounding equipment, and the degree of freedom of the installation can be increased.

[0085] <summary>

[0086] As shown in Figure 1-3 , Figure 10A and Figure 10B , the melting apparatus 10, 10' of the above-described embodiment and modification melts the metal raw material 1 by an arc formed by electric power supplied to the arc electrode 23.

[0087] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1-3 , Figure 10A and Figure 10B , the melting apparatus 10, 10' of the above-described embodiment and modification has:

[0088] a furnace main body 11 into which a metal raw material 1 to be melted is charged;

[0089] a main preheating chamber 12 configured to be capable of storing the metal raw material 1 and provided with a charging port 16 for charging the metal raw material 1 into the furnace main body 11, the main preheating chamber 12 being configured to preheat the metal raw material 1 by the exhaust gas introduced from the furnace main body 11 through the charging port 16;

[0090] a pusher 13 having a pusher member 26 and a pusher member drive device 27 configured to reciprocate the pusher member 26 in the main preheating chamber 12 in a direction (front-rear direction in Figure 1-3 , direction orthogonal thereto in Figure 10A and Figure 10B ) from the end of the pusher member 26 on the side opposite to the charging port 16 toward the charging port 16, the pusher 13 being configured to push the metal raw material 1 from the inside of the main preheating chamber 12 into the inside of the furnace main body 11 by moving the pusher member 26 toward the charging port 16; and

[0091] The preheating channel 14 is connected to the main preheating chamber 12 and has a conveying device 32 that moves the metal raw material 1 in a transverse (front-back direction) direction at a position higher than the lower edge of the loading inlet 16 of the main preheating chamber 12. The preheating channel 14 is used to preheat the metal raw material 1 with the exhaust gas introduced from the furnace body 11 through the main preheating chamber 12, and to supply the metal raw material 1 to the main preheating chamber 12 with the conveying device 32.

[0092] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as shown in Figures 6 to 9, the metal raw material 1 stored in the main preheating chamber 12 is configured to be preheated in the main preheating chamber 12 until it is pushed out by the pusher 26 (pusher 13) and loaded into the furnace body 11.

[0093] Therefore, even if a horizontal preheating channel 14, which is easily modified from an existing melting furnace, is used, the metal raw material 1 can be preheated efficiently.

[0094] In addition, such as Figure 3 As shown, in the melting devices 10 and 10' of the above embodiments and variations, the bottom of the preheating channel 14 at the connection with the main preheating chamber 12 is positioned (A) higher than the center (B) of the loading inlet 16 of the main preheating chamber 12 in the vertical direction.

[0095] Therefore, in the above-described embodiments and variations, the cross-sectional area of ​​the space above the accumulated metal material 1 that the exhaust gas passes through without passing through the gaps in the metal material 1 can be reduced.

[0096] In addition, such as Figure 3 As shown, the melting equipment 10 and 10' of the above embodiments and modifications also include a connecting device 30, which can switch the state of the boundary 10C between the fixed part 10A and the movable part 10B between a connected state (the state shown in Figures 7 to 9) and a separated state (the state shown in Figure 6). The fixed part 10A includes at least a preheating channel 14 and is fixed relative to the base. The movable part 10B includes at least a furnace body 11 and is configured to be movable relative to the fixed part 10A so that it can tilt when the molten metal 2 obtained by melting the metal raw material 1 is discharged from the furnace. The connected state is the state when the metal raw material 1 is loaded from the main preheating chamber 12 into the furnace body 11, and the separated state is the state when the molten metal 2 is discharged from the furnace body 11.

[0097] Therefore, in the above-described embodiments and variations, the metal raw material 1 transferred in the preheating channel 14 constituting the fixed part 10A can be loaded into the furnace body 11 constituting the movable part 10B, and only the movable part 10B can be tilted when the molten metal 2 is discharged from the furnace body 11.

[0098] In addition, as shown in Figure 3 In the melting apparatus 10, 10' of the above-described embodiment and modification, the coupling device 30 includes a movable floor member 35 that constitutes at least a portion of the floor portion of the main preheating chamber 12, and a floor member drive device 36 that drives the movable floor member 35. The coupling device 30 is configured to be able to bring the boundary 10C into the coupled state (the state shown in FIGS. 7 to 9) by moving the movable floor member 35 to a coupled position at which the movable floor member 35 straddles the boundary 10C, and to be able to bring the boundary 10C into the decoupled state (the state shown in FIG. 6) by moving the movable floor member 35 to a retracted position at which the movable floor member 35 retracts to the fixed portion 10A side (rear side) of the boundary 10C.

[0099] Thus, in the above-described embodiment and modification, it is possible to switch between the coupled state and the decoupled state with a simple structure.

[0100] Other Embodiments

[0101] The present application has been described above using the embodiment and the modification, but the present application is not limited to the structures of these embodiments. The scope of the present application is determined based on the recitations of the appended claims, and all structures in which a part of the components shown in the embodiment and the modification is omitted, modified, or improved are included in the present application within the scope thereof.

[0102] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the melting apparatus 10 is an apparatus that manufactures molten steel, but the present application is not limited thereto, and can also be applied to an apparatus that melts other metals such as aluminum.

[0103] Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0104] 1 Metal raw material

[0105] 2 Molten metal

[0106] 3 Molten slag

[0107] 10, 10', 100, 101 Melting apparatus

[0108] 10A Fixed portion

[0109] 10B Movable portion

[0110] 10C Boundary

[0111] 11 Furnace main body

[0112] 12 Main preheating chamber

[0113] 13 Pusher

[0114] 14 Preheating passage

[0115] 15 gate-type hopper

[0116] 16 charging inlet

[0117] 21 furnace cover

[0118] 22 furnace lining

[0119] 23 arc electrode

[0120] 26 push-out member

[0121] 27 push-out member drive device

[0122] 30 connecting device

[0123] 31 cover portion

[0124] 32 transfer device

[0125] 35 movable floor member

[0126] 36 floor member drive device

[0127] 40 preheating tank

[0128] 41 preheating tank tilting mechanism

[0129] 42 furnace main body tilting mechanism

[0130] 44 connecting car

Claims

1. A melting apparatus (10, 10'), comprising at least: Furnace body (11), into which the metal raw materials to be melted are loaded; and The preheating channel (14) is equipped with a transfer device (32), which is either a horizontal vibrating conveyor or a belt conveyor that transfers the metal raw material laterally. The melting equipment (10, 10') preheats the metal raw material using waste gas generated from the furnace body (11) while melting the metal raw material in the furnace body (11) using an electric arc formed by energizing the arc electrode (23). The melting equipment is characterized by having: The main preheating chamber (12), connected to the preheating channel (14), is configured to store the metal raw material and is provided with a loading inlet (16) for loading the metal raw material into the furnace body (11). The main preheating chamber (12) is used to preheat the metal raw material using the waste gas introduced from the furnace body (11) through the loading inlet (16); and The pusher (13) has a pusher component (26) and a pusher component drive device (27) for reciprocating the pusher component (26) within the main preheating chamber (12). The pusher (13) is used to push the metal raw material from the main preheating chamber (12) into the interior of the furnace body (11) by moving the pusher component (26) toward the loading inlet (16). The preheating channel (14) is configured such that the transfer device (32) moves the metal raw material laterally at a position higher than the lower edge of the loading inlet (16) of the main preheating chamber (12), while preheating the metal raw material using the waste gas introduced from the furnace body (11) through the main preheating chamber (12), and simultaneously supplying the metal raw material to the main preheating chamber (12) using the transfer device (32). The melting equipment (10, 10') is configured such that the metal raw material stored in the main preheating chamber (12) can be preheated in the main preheating chamber (12) until it is pushed out by the pusher (13) and loaded into the furnace body (11). The melting equipment (10, 10') also includes a connecting device (30) that can switch the state of the boundary between the fixed part (10A) and the movable part (10B) between a connected state and a separated state. The fixed part (10A) includes at least the preheating channel (14) and is fixed relative to the base. The movable part (10B) includes at least the furnace body (11) and is configured to be movable relative to the fixed part (10A) so that it can tilt when the molten metal obtained from melting the metal raw material is tapped out of the furnace. The connected state is the state when the metal raw material is loaded from the main preheating chamber (12) into the furnace body (11), and the separated state is the state when the molten metal is discharged from the furnace body (11).

2. The melting equipment (10, 10') according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the preheating channel (14) at the connection with the main preheating chamber (12) is positioned vertically higher than the center of the loading inlet (16) of the main preheating chamber (12) in the vertical direction.

3. The melting equipment (10, 10') according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting device (30) includes: Movable base plate component (35), constituting at least a portion of the base plate portion of the main preheating chamber (12); and The base plate component driving device (36) drives the movable base plate component (35). The connecting device (30) is configured such that by moving the movable base plate member (35) to a position where the movable base plate member (35) crosses the boundary, i.e., a connecting position, the boundary can be made into the connecting state; and by moving the movable base plate member (35) to a position where the movable base plate member (35) is retracted to a position closer to the fixed portion side than the boundary, i.e., a retracted position, the boundary can be made into the separating state.

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