Molten metal transfer method and molten metal transfer line with induction heating device

Abstract

The invention provides a molten metal transfer method and a molten metal transfer line with an induction heating device, and belongs to the technical field of smelting. The transfer line comprises a processing device and a running track, the processing device is provided with a molten metal container and an induction heating device, the molten metal container moves along the track through a transfer trolley, one end of the track is a receiving station, and the other end of the track is a discharging station. The induction heating device is installed on the outer wall of the molten metal container, heating starting and stopping are controlled in a linkage mode through a temperature sensor, temperature compensation of molten metal is achieved, and temperature drop in the transferring process is avoided. In addition, various procedures such as vacuum treatment and stirring treatment can be integrated in the transferring process, and the process flexibility is improved. The problems of molten metal temperature drop, low efficiency, high potential safety hazards and the like in a traditional transfer mode are solved, and the method has the advantages that temperature control is accurate, leakage is avoided, the melt homogenization degree is improved, and energy loss is reduced. The method is suitable for multi-procedure production processes such as metal smelting and casting, and the automation level and the production efficiency are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of smelting, and relates to a molten metal transfer method and a molten metal transfer line with an induction heating device. Background Art

[0002] In the current metal smelting process, the main method for transferring molten metal is to load the molten metal into a container and then transfer it by crane or wheel-rail. The crane-lifting method lacks scheduling flexibility, and the state of the molten metal is not adequately controlled during the transfer process. It also involves manual work at high altitudes, which poses certain safety hazards. The existing wheel-rail transfer method requires the transfer of molten metal across containers, which is a cumbersome process with limited efficiency. At the same time, there is a high risk of molten metal leakage during lifting and transfer.

[0003] The overhead crane method and the wheel-rail transfer method have a common disadvantage: there is no heat supplementation method during the transfer process, and the melt energy is dissipated during the transfer process, resulting in a decrease in the temperature of the molten metal. In order to alleviate the impact of the temperature drop during the transfer process on the molten metal, it is necessary to increase the superheat of the previous smelting process, which will aggravate the overoxidation of the molten metal, while posing a safety hazard and increasing the processing burden of subsequent metallurgical processes.

[0004] Patent CN10613259A discloses an "automatic transfer device for molten metal from a smelting furnace to a pouring machine", which improves the degree of automation of transfer, but its efficiency is low; Patent CN105188989A discloses a "new type of ladle conveying trolley and molten metal conveying line", which improves the transfer efficiency by optimizing the structure of the transfer trolley and the loading platform, but it does not solve the problem of temperature drop of molten metal during the transfer process.

[0005] In summary, the existing technology has not yet solved the problems related to production safety and molten metal quality assurance, such as "temperature drop of molten metal during transportation" and "leakage of molten metal during lifting during transportation". Summary of the invention

[0006] In view of this, the object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem and provide a molten metal transfer method and a molten metal transfer line with an induction heating device. This scheme uses an induction heating device to supplement heat to avoid temperature drop during the transfer process and ensure smooth production.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0008] A molten metal transfer line with an induction heating device, comprising a processing device and a running track;

[0009] The processing device comprises a molten metal container and an induction heating device, wherein the molten metal container is arranged on a transfer vehicle, and the transfer vehicle is arranged on the running track and moves along the running track;

[0010] A receiving station is provided at one end of the running track, and a discharging station is provided at the other end; the receiving station is used to add metal materials and auxiliary materials into the molten metal container, and the discharging station is used to discharge the molten metal in the molten metal container to a casting machine, a mold or a container;

[0011] The induction heating device is arranged on the outer wall of the molten metal container, and is used to heat the material in the molten metal container; a temperature sensor is arranged in the molten metal container, and the start and stop of the induction heating device are controlled according to the temperature in the molten metal container.

[0012] Furthermore, one or more processing stations selected from the group consisting of vacuum processing, stirring processing, powder spraying processing, component adjustment, and oxygen blowing are provided between the material receiving station and the material unloading station.

[0013] Furthermore, the molten metal container is connected with a tow cable, and the tow cable is provided with a variety of medium conveying pipelines; the medium conveying pipelines are respectively used for conveying compressed air, oxygen, nitrogen, argon, powder, cooling water, hydraulic oil, and electricity.

[0014] Furthermore, the induction heating device is used to melt cold or hot materials, and electromagnetic induction heating is achieved during the entire process of moving and stopping the processing device.

[0015] Furthermore, the induction heating device adopts coreless heating or cored heating.

[0016] Furthermore, the running track is a horizontal track or an inclined track; when running on the horizontal track, the transfer vehicle is driven by a motor or a steel cable; when running on the inclined track, the transfer vehicle is driven by a steel cable or a gear rack mechanism.

[0017] Furthermore, the metal material processed by the receiving station is in liquid or solid state, and the auxiliary material is the material participating in the metal smelting reaction.

[0018] A molten metal transfer method, using the molten metal transfer line with an induction heating device as described above to transfer the molten metal, comprises the following steps:

[0019] S1. Move the material processing device to the material receiving station;

[0020] S2, the processing device receives metal materials and auxiliary materials at the receiving station;

[0021] S3, the processing device melts the received materials;

[0022] S4. After smelting to the process target, the processing device opens the receiving station;

[0023] S5. When the processing device is running from the receiving position to the next station, when the temperature of the molten metal is lower than the lower limit of the temperature setting value, the induction heating device is started; when the temperature of the molten metal is higher than the upper limit of the temperature setting value, the induction heating device is turned off;

[0024] S6. The processing device runs to the unloading station to unload the materials and then returns to the receiving station.

[0025] Furthermore, during the operation of the processing device from the receiving station to the unloading station, one or more of vacuum processing, stirring processing, powder spraying processing, component adjustment, and oxygen blowing are performed as needed.

[0026] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0027] 1. The invention integrates an induction heating device in the transfer line, which can automatically start heating when the temperature is lower than the set value and stop heating when the temperature is higher than the set value according to the real-time monitoring data of the temperature sensor. Electromagnetic heating has the characteristics of rapid response and precise control. By adjusting the current and frequency, it can ensure that the molten metal is always kept in the optimal temperature range during the cross-process transfer process, avoiding quality defects caused by excessive cooling.

[0028] 2. The electromagnetic stirring function realized by induction heating in the present invention can continuously mix the melt during the transportation process, avoiding the problem of uneven composition caused by temperature gradient. When the homogenization degree of molten metal is improved, metallurgical defects such as solid-liquid separation and segregation can be significantly reduced, and the mechanical properties and quality stability of the finished product can be improved.

[0029] 3. The present invention designs a plurality of optional processing stations between the receiving station and the unloading station, such as vacuum processing, stirring processing, powder spraying processing, component adjustment and oxygen blowing processing, thereby realizing seamless integration of transfer and multi-process operation.

[0030] 4. Compared with the traditional overhead crane lifting method, the present invention adopts horizontal or inclined tracks to avoid possible melt leakage accidents during high-altitude lifting operations, significantly reducing safety hazards. During the track transportation process, the induction heating equipment and the track system form a compact interface, which not only reduces the switching operation between equipment, but also avoids the uncontrollable factors caused by the lifting operation.

[0031] 5. The molten metal transfer line of the present invention is not only suitable for melt transportation in the smelting process, but also can directly transfer the molten metal to the casting equipment or mold, greatly shortening the connection time between the smelting and casting processes.

[0032] Other advantages, objectives and features of the present invention will be described in the following description to some extent, and to some extent, will be obvious to those skilled in the art based on the following examination and study, or can be taught from the practice of the present invention. The objectives and other advantages of the present invention can be realized and obtained through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clear, the present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a molten metal transfer line with an induction heating device in Example 1 of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a molten metal transfer line with an induction heating device in Example 2 of the present invention.

[0036] Figure numerals: 1-molten metal container; 2-transfer vehicle; 3-running track; 4-receiving station; 5-unloading station; 6-tow cable. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The following describes the embodiments of the present invention by specific examples, and those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the contents disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and the details in this specification can also be modified or changed in various ways based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It should be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments only illustrate the basic concept of the present invention in a schematic manner, and the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0038] Among them, the drawings are only used for illustrative explanations, and they only represent schematic diagrams rather than actual pictures, and should not be understood as limitations on the present invention. In order to better illustrate the embodiments of the present invention, some parts of the drawings may be omitted, enlarged or reduced, and do not represent the size of actual products. For those skilled in the art, it is understandable that some well-known structures and their descriptions in the drawings may be omitted.

[0039] The same or similar numbers in the drawings of the embodiments of the present invention correspond to the same or similar parts; in the description of the present invention, it should be understood that if the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "rear", etc. indicate the orientation or position relationship, they are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, which is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, the terms describing the position relationship in the drawings are only used for illustrative purposes and cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0040] Example 1

[0041] See also Figure 1 , is a molten metal transfer line with an induction heating device, comprising a processing device and a running track 3; the processing device comprises a molten metal container 1 and an induction heating device, the molten metal container 1 is mounted on a transfer vehicle 2, the transfer vehicle 2 is mounted on a running track 3, and moves along the running track 3; a receiving station 4 is provided at one end of the running track 3, and a discharging station 5 is provided at the other end; the receiving station 4 is used to add metal materials and auxiliary materials into the molten metal container 1, and the discharging station 5 is used to discharge the molten metal in the molten metal container 1 to a casting machine, a mold or a container;

[0042] The induction heating device is installed on the outer wall of the molten metal container 1, and is used to heat the material in the molten metal container 1; a temperature sensor is provided in the molten metal container 1, and the start and stop of the induction heating device are controlled according to the temperature in the molten metal container 1. The molten metal container 1 is connected with a towline 6, and a variety of medium conveying pipelines are provided on the towline 6; the medium conveying pipelines are used for conveying compressed air, oxygen, nitrogen, argon, powder, cooling water, hydraulic oil, electricity, etc.

[0043] The metal material processed by the receiving station 4 is liquid or solid, and the auxiliary material is the material participating in the metal smelting reaction. The induction heating device can be used to melt cold or hot materials, and electromagnetic induction heating is realized during the whole process of moving and stopping the processing device. The induction heating device can adopt coreless heating or core heating.

[0044] The running track 3 can be a horizontal track or an inclined track; in this embodiment, a horizontal track is used. When running on the horizontal track, the transfer vehicle 2 is driven by a motor or a steel cable; when running on the inclined track, the transfer vehicle 2 is driven by a steel cable or a gear rack mechanism.

[0045] It should be noted that one or more processing stations including but not limited to vacuum processing, stirring processing, powder spraying processing, component adjustment, and oxygen blowing are arranged between the receiving station 4 and the unloading station 5.

[0046] For the single-mouth vacuum refining treatment station: after arriving at the single-mouth vacuum refining treatment station, the overhead crane hoists the refining device and connects it to the treatment device. The upper part of the refining device is a vacuum chamber, and the single-mouth immersion pipe is located at the lower part of the vacuum chamber; the vacuum charging bin is connected to the upper part of the vacuum chamber, which can realize the alloying of the molten metal during the refining process; at the same time, the upper part of the vacuum chamber is connected to the vacuum exhaust pipe and the vacuum pump to realize the vacuum chamber vacuuming, and the flue gas is extracted through the exhaust pipe and then recovered by the dust removal system. A number of bottom blowing elements or air-permeable bricks are installed at the bottom of the treatment device. During the vacuum treatment, inert gas can be transported and blown in through the tow cable 6. The gas volume expands and ruptures due to the sharp decrease in pressure during the rising process, so as to achieve the stirring and degassing of the molten metal. During the vacuum refining process, if the temperature drops to the lower limit of the temperature setting value, the induction heating device installed on the side wall of the treatment device is turned on, and the temperature drop of the molten metal caused by the addition of the alloy can be compensated by electromagnetic induction heating. If the temperature of the molten metal is higher than the upper limit of the setting value, the induction heating is stopped.

[0047] For the stirring processing station: After the processing device reaches the stirring processing station, the lifting trolley drives the stirring device to fall, and the stirring paddle immerses into the molten metal to a certain depth to start stirring. During the mechanical stirring process, materials can be fed through the silo and the feeding funnel to purify or alloy the melt. During the stirring process, if the temperature drops to the lower limit of the temperature setting value, the induction heating device installed on the side wall of the processing device is turned on, and the temperature drop of the molten metal caused by stirring can be compensated by electromagnetic induction heating. If the temperature of the molten metal is higher than the upper limit of the setting value, the induction heating is stopped.

[0048] For the composition adjustment station: After the processing device arrives at the composition adjustment station, the overhead crane hoists the silo and the feeding chute to connect with the processing device. The silo is equipped with a weighing device to add the required composition adjustment materials to the molten metal. Composition adjustment materials include but are not limited to alloys such as ferrosilicon, ferromanganese, calcium silicon, aluminum wire, and slag-forming agents such as lime, magnesium oxide, manganese oxide, and calcium fluoride. Slag-forming agents can inhibit the contact between molten metal and media such as air, and will not have a negative impact on the product. During the composition adjustment process, if the temperature drops to the lower limit of the temperature setting value, the induction heating device installed on the side wall of the processing device is turned on, and the temperature drop of the molten metal caused by the addition of the alloy can be compensated by electromagnetic induction heating. If the temperature of the molten metal is higher than the upper limit of the set value, the induction heating is stopped.

[0049] During the transfer and stop process, if the temperature of the molten metal drops to the lower limit of the temperature setting value due to natural temperature drop, the induction heating device installed on the side wall of the processing device will be turned on to compensate for the natural temperature drop of the molten metal by electromagnetic induction heating. If the temperature of the molten metal is higher than the upper limit of the setting value, the induction heating will be stopped.

[0050] The tow cable 6 provides medium frequency current to the induction heating device, generates eddy currents in the furnace, releases a large amount of heat to heat up the molten metal in the furnace, and generates an upward Lorentz force, which drives the molten metal to move upward and acts as a stirrer. Induction heating during the transfer process can effectively avoid the temperature drop caused by the transfer of molten metal. At the same time, by adjusting the current and frequency, accurate heat supplementation can be achieved during the transfer process to meet the temperature requirements of subsequent processes. The tow cable 6 provides circulating cooling water to the induction heating device to cool the components of the induction heating device.

[0051] A molten metal transfer method, a steel enterprise uses the above molten metal transfer line with an induction heating device to transfer molten metal, comprising the following steps:

[0052] S1, operate the material processing device to be fed to the material receiving station 4;

[0053] S2, the processing device receives metal materials and auxiliary materials at the receiving station 4;

[0054] S3, the processing device melts the received materials;

[0055] S4, after smelting to the process target, the processing device opens the receiving station 4;

[0056] S5. When the processing device is running from the receiving position to the next station, when the temperature of the molten metal is lower than the lower limit of the temperature setting value, the induction heating device is started; when the temperature of the molten metal is higher than the upper limit of the temperature setting value, the induction heating device is turned off;

[0057] S6: The processing device runs to the unloading station 5 to unload and then returns to the receiving station 4.

[0058] During the process of the processing device running from the receiving station 4 to the unloading station 5, one or more of vacuum processing, stirring processing, powder spraying processing, component adjustment, and oxygen blowing are performed as needed.

[0059] The processing device prepares to receive materials at the receiving station 4, and the feeding device pours molten steel and auxiliary materials such as slag-making agent and alloy into the processing device; the processing device heats up and smelts the received materials, and after smelting to the required process target, the lower motor of the processing device is started, and the processing device is driven by the motor to open the receiving station 4 and transfer the processing device along the horizontal track; the processing device changes the current and frequency during the process of running from the receiving station to the next station to accurately control the temperature of the molten metal transfer across processes, such as: starting the induction heating device when the molten steel temperature is 5°C lower than the set temperature lower limit, and shutting down the induction heating device when it is 5°C higher than the set temperature upper limit. The processing device moves to the continuous casting station for unloading, and the empty processing device returns to the receiving station 4 after unloading.

[0060] By implementing the scheme of the present invention, the enterprise has reduced the temperature drop of molten steel during transportation by more than 50°C, saved more than 25 yuan per ton of steel, and significantly reduced production accidents.

[0061] Example 2

[0062] See also Figure 2 , is a molten metal transfer line with an induction heating device used in a non-ferrous metal processing plant. The main difference between it and Example 1 is that the running track 3 is an inclined track. When running on the inclined track, the transfer vehicle 2 is driven by a steel cable or a gear rack mechanism.

[0063] The processing device prepares to receive materials at the receiving station 4, and the feeding device pours cold solid copper alloy and other auxiliary materials into the processing device; the processing device heats up and smelts the received materials, and after smelting to the required process target, the steel cable of the track device is started, and the processing device is driven by the steel cable to open the receiving station 4 and transfer the processing device along the inclined track; the processing device can be continuously heated during the process of running from the receiving station to the next station, and the temperature of the molten metal transferred across the process is accurately controlled by changing the current and frequency, such as: the induction heating device is started when the copper melt temperature is 5°C lower than the set temperature lower limit, and the induction heating device is turned off when it is 5°C higher than the set temperature upper limit. The processing device moves to the continuous casting station for unloading operation, and the empty processing device returns to the receiving station 4 after unloading.

[0064] By implementing the scheme of the present invention, the enterprise reduced the temperature drop of the copper melt during transportation by more than 57°C, saved more than 29 yuan in cost per ton of copper, and significantly reduced production accidents.

[0065] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of the present invention rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solution of the present invention can be modified or replaced by equivalents without departing from the purpose and scope of the technical solution, which should be included in the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A molten metal transfer line with an induction heating device, characterized in that: It includes processing equipment and running tracks; The processing device comprises a molten metal container and an induction heating device, wherein the molten metal container is arranged on a transfer vehicle, and the transfer vehicle is arranged on the running track and moves along the running track; A receiving station is provided at one end of the running track, and a discharging station is provided at the other end; the receiving station is used to add metal materials and auxiliary materials into the molten metal container, and the discharging station is used to discharge the molten metal in the molten metal container to a casting machine, a mold or a container; The induction heating device is arranged on the outer wall of the molten metal container, and is used to heat the material in the molten metal container; a temperature sensor is arranged in the molten metal container, and the start and stop of the induction heating device are controlled according to the temperature in the molten metal container.

2. The molten metal transfer line with an induction heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: One or more processing stations selected from the group consisting of vacuum processing, stirring processing, powder spraying processing, component adjustment, and oxygen blowing are arranged between the material receiving station and the material unloading station.

3. The molten metal transfer line with an induction heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The molten metal container is connected with a tow cable, and the tow cable is provided with a variety of medium conveying pipelines; the medium conveying pipelines are respectively used for conveying compressed air, oxygen, nitrogen, argon, powder, cooling water, hydraulic oil and electricity.

4. The molten metal transfer line with an induction heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The induction heating device is used for melting cold or hot materials, and electromagnetic induction heating is realized during the whole process of movement and stop of the processing device.

5. The molten metal transfer line with an induction heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The induction heating device adopts coreless heating or cored heating.

6. The molten metal transfer line with an induction heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The running track is a horizontal track or an inclined track; when running on the horizontal track, the transfer vehicle is driven by a motor or a steel cable; when running on the inclined track, the transfer vehicle is driven by a steel cable or a gear rack mechanism.

7. The molten metal transfer line with an induction heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The metal materials processed at the receiving station are liquid or solid, and the auxiliary materials are materials participating in the metal smelting reaction.

8. A method for transferring molten metal, characterized in that: The molten metal transfer line with an induction heating device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 is used to transfer the molten metal, comprising the following steps: S1. Move the material processing device to the material receiving station; S2, the processing device receives metal materials and auxiliary materials at the receiving station; S3, the processing device melts the received materials; S4. After smelting to the process target, the processing device opens the receiving station; S5. When the processing device is running from the receiving position to the next station, when the temperature of the molten metal is lower than the lower limit of the temperature setting value, the induction heating device is started; when the temperature of the molten metal is higher than the upper limit of the temperature setting value, the induction heating device is turned off; S6. The processing device runs to the unloading station to unload the materials and then returns to the receiving station.

9. The molten metal transfer method according to claim 8, characterized in that: During the process of the processing device running from the receiving station to the unloading station, one or more treatments including vacuum processing, stirring processing, powder spraying processing, component adjustment, and oxygen blowing are performed as needed.

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