A new type of hydrogen storage alloy smelting launder device

Abstract

The invention discloses a novel hydrogen storage alloy smelting flow channel device, which relates to the technical field of hydrogen storage alloy smelting, and comprises a flow channel, a flow guide block is arranged on the bottom plate of the flow channel, the flow guide block is arranged at the first contact point with the high-temperature alloy solution, the flow guide block is used to receive and guide the high-temperature alloy melt flowing down from the pouring funnel, and the two side plates of the flow channel are provided with an inclined angle, the two inclined angles are close to one end of the copper roller, and the inclined surfaces of the two chamfered angles are arranged oppositely, the inclined surfaces are inclined from the inside of the flow channel to the outside, and the inclined angle is used to reduce the obstruction of the high-temperature alloy melt flowing to the copper roller. The invention can effectively reduce the corrosion and wear of the flow channel during use, and significantly improve the service life.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of hydrogen storage alloy smelting, and in particular to a novel smelting launder device suitable for higher temperatures and larger batches. Background Art

[0002] Under the global trend of green and low-carbon transformation, hydrogen, as a clean, efficient and renewable energy, has become the direction of change in a new round of energy technology. Countries and regions around the world are accelerating the layout of the entire industrial chain around hydrogen energy.

[0003] Solid-state hydrogen storage systems have the advantages of high safety (hydrogen absorption / desorption platform <1MPa) and high volumetric hydrogen storage density. They are suitable for low-power fuel cell bicycles, forklifts, portable backup power supplies, base stations and distributed energy supply. Rare earth-based LaNi5 hydrogen storage alloys have been industrialized and are commonly used as negative electrode materials for nickel-hydrogen batteries. Titanium (Ti)-based hydrogen storage alloys have the advantages of high hydrogen storage capacity, low cost, and good hydrogen absorption / desorption platform characteristics, while vanadium (V)-based solid solution hydrogen storage alloys have high hydrogen storage capacity and excellent kinetic properties. Both have broad application prospects in hydrogen storage and transportation systems and hydrogen energy supply.

[0004] In industry, rare earth-based LaNi5 hydrogen storage alloys are prepared by medium frequency induction melting-melt rapid quenching, that is, the alloy is melted by medium frequency induction, and then the alloy melt is poured through a launder onto a high-speed rotating copper roller, and the alloy melt is rapidly solidified at a high cooling rate. The above method has the advantages of simple operation, high actual production efficiency, fast heating speed, and easy automatic control, and has been successfully used in the industrial production of hydrogen storage alloys.

[0005] After the hydrogen storage alloy charge is melted in the crucible, it is poured into the launder through a pouring funnel, and the launder guides the high-temperature alloy melt to flow to the copper roller. Therefore, during the alloy smelting process, the launder is constantly impacted by the high-temperature alloy melt, causing thermal corrosion and damage. Since the smelting temperature of the rare earth-based LaNi5 hydrogen storage alloy is low (1200℃), the launder is less damaged, the launder is easier to clean, and can achieve a longer service life (14-20 furnaces).

[0006] However, the melting temperature of titanium-based and vanadium-based hydrogen storage alloys is even higher (about 1600-1800°C). The erosion of high-temperature molten liquid causes serious damage to the flow channel, making the flow channel not only difficult to clean, but also greatly shortening its service life.

[0007] It was observed that the damage of the flow channel was mainly concentrated in two locations, such as Figure 1 As shown:

[0008] 1) Thermal etch pits at the end of the launder. After the pouring funnel, the high-temperature alloy melt will directly flush the launder bottom plate from above the launder and form thermal etch pits. As the number of smelting increases, the thermal etch pits will continue to become deeper and larger. The increase in the volume of the thermal etch pits will reduce the flow rate and temperature of the alloy melt, causing more alloy melt to cool and remain in the launder, seriously affecting the alloy yield;

[0009] 2) Wear seams on both sides of the front end of the launder. At the connection between the front end of the launder and the copper roller, the surface of the molten alloy solidifies into alloy sheets and is thrown out. Obstructed by the side plates of the launder, part of the molten alloy will scratch the launder and form wear seams. As the number of smelting times increases, the wear seams will become deeper and larger, affecting the alloy yield. Excessive wear seams will also cause the molten alloy to accumulate, solidify prematurely and stick to the copper roller to form a "sticky roller" phenomenon, making the copper roller difficult to clean. In addition, when the alloy is smelted in large batches, the "sticky roller" phenomenon will become more serious, and even a gap will be made at the front end of the launder, causing the molten alloy to flow directly to the bottom of the smelting furnace, destroying the internal structure of the smelting furnace.

[0010] As a high-value vulnerable part, the design of the flow trough is an important part of the hydrogen storage alloy smelting technology. The lack of flow trough design suitable for high-temperature alloy smelting restricts the formation of large-scale preparation technology for titanium-based and vanadium-based hydrogen storage alloys, affecting the industrialization, promotion and application of solid-state hydrogen storage technology. Summary of the invention

[0011] In view of the problem in the prior art that the flow channel is easily damaged when smelting titanium-based and vanadium-based hydrogen storage alloys, the present invention provides a new hydrogen storage alloy smelting flow channel device suitable for higher temperatures, which can effectively reduce corrosion and wear during the use of the flow channel and significantly improve its service life.

[0012] To achieve the above object, the present invention can be carried out by adopting the following technical solutions:

[0013] The present invention provides a novel hydrogen storage alloy smelting launder device, which comprises:

[0014] A flow trough, on the bottom plate of which a guide block is arranged, the guide block is arranged at the first contact point with the high-temperature alloy melt, and the guide block is used to receive and guide the high-temperature alloy melt flowing down from the pouring funnel;

[0015] The two side plates of the flow trough are provided with an inclination angle, the two inclination angles are close to one end of the copper roller, and the inclined surfaces of the two chamfered angles are arranged opposite to each other, and the inclined surfaces are inclined from the inside of the flow trough toward the outside, and the inclination angle is used to reduce the obstruction of the high-temperature alloy melt flowing to the copper roller.

[0016] As in the novel hydrogen storage alloy smelting flow channel device mentioned above, further, the guide block is triangular, and the angle between its upper surface and the bottom plate of the flow channel is 30° to 50°.

[0017] As in the above-mentioned novel hydrogen storage alloy smelting flow channel device, further, the width of the guide block is smaller than the width of the flow channel.

[0018] As in the above-mentioned novel hydrogen storage alloy smelting flow channel device, further, the height of the guide block is 1 / 2 to 3 / 4 of the depth of the flow channel.

[0019] As in the novel hydrogen storage alloy smelting flow channel device mentioned above, further, the gap between the guide block and the flow channel is filled with filler material to prevent the high-temperature alloy melt from penetrating.

[0020] As for the novel hydrogen storage alloy smelting flow channel device mentioned above, further, the guide block is designed to be replaceable, and can be replaced when it is seriously damaged, thereby extending the service life of the flow channel.

[0021] As mentioned above, in the novel hydrogen storage alloy smelting launder device, further, the angle of the chamfer is 40° to 50°.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the beneficial effect that the present invention can effectively eliminate the pitting and wear of the high-temperature alloy melt on the flow channel when smelting titanium-based and vanadium-based hydrogen storage alloys, thereby greatly improving the alloy recovery rate and the service life of the flow channel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for use in the embodiments are briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0024] Figure 1 It is a side view of a conventional flow channel and its main damage points;

[0025] Figure 2 A top view of a traditional flow channel and its main damage points;

[0026] Figure 3 A side view of a flow channel device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 A top view of a flow channel device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a comparison chart of the recovery rate of SA-02 alloy in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Among them, 1. high-temperature alloy melt; 2. pouring funnel; 3. copper roller; 4. bottom plate of the flow trough; 5. side plate of the flow trough; 6. back plate of the flow trough; 7. thermal corrosion pits; 8. wear seams; 9. guide blocks; 10. chamfers. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0031] Example:

[0032] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present invention and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchanged where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present invention described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations of the embodiments of the present invention are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, for example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0033] It should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0034] In the description of the present invention, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly defined. In addition, unless otherwise clearly defined and defined, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0035] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" or "above" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0036] The present invention provides a novel smelting launder device, which, compared with the traditional launder, comprises a launder (bottom plate 4, side plate 5 and rear plate 6), a guide block 8 and a chamfer 10 on the side plate 5. A guide block 9 is provided at the first contact point between the high-temperature alloy melt 1 and the bottom plate 4 of the launder, and its function is to buffer the erosion of the high-temperature alloy melt 1 to form a thermal erosion pit 7; and a chamfer 10 is provided on the side plate 5 of the launder in contact with the copper roller 3, and its function is to slow down the wear seam 9 formed by the copper roller 3 cooling the high-temperature alloy melt 1 and destroying the side plate 5.

[0037] Specifically, see Figures 1 to 4, the traditional flow trough device is prone to form thermal erosion pits 7 at the first contact point with the high-temperature alloy melt 1 due to direct erosion of the bottom plate 4. As the number of smelting increases, the thermal erosion pits 7 will continue to become deeper and larger. The increase in the volume of the thermal erosion pits 7 will reduce the flow rate and temperature of the high-temperature alloy melt 1, causing part of the high-temperature alloy melt 1 to cool and remain in the flow trough, seriously affecting the alloy yield. The flow trough device is equipped with a guide block 9 at the first contact point between the high-temperature alloy melt 1 and the flow trough. On the one hand, the guide block 9 can play a buffering role to prevent the high-temperature alloy melt 1 from directly eroding the bottom plate 4 of the flow trough, thereby forming thermal erosion pits 7 on the bottom plate 4 of the flow trough, thereby increasing the service life of the flow trough; on the other hand, it can guide the high-temperature alloy melt 1 to flow smoothly to the copper roller 3, thereby increasing the alloy recovery rate. In addition, after multiple smeltings, the guide block 9 only needs to be replaced without replacing the flow trough. In addition, since the front end of the side plate 5 of the flow trough (close to the copper roller 3) is the contact surface of the bottom plate 4 of the flow trough, the side plate 5 of the flow trough, the high-temperature alloy melt 1 and the copper roller 3. Affected by the side plate 5, part of the high-temperature alloy melt 1 solidifies on the side plate and hinders the subsequent high-temperature alloy melt 1 from being thrown out. The high-temperature alloy melt 1 is easy to accumulate here, and after cooling, it adheres to the copper roller 3, wears the front end of the flow trough and forms a wear seam 8. As the number of smelting increases, the wear seam 8 will continue to deepen and enlarge, thereby affecting the alloy yield. If the wear seam 8 is too large, part of the high-temperature alloy melt 1 will stick to the copper roller 3, thereby damaging the front end of the flow trough. If too much alloy is poured or the temperature is low, severe roller sticking will also cause a gap in the front end of the flow trough, resulting in the high-temperature alloy melt 1 not being thrown out and directly flowing to the bottom of the smelting furnace, causing safety problems (liquid leakage). Therefore, the chamfer 10 is provided at the front end of the side plate 5 of the flow channel (close to the copper roller 3), which can reduce the obstruction of the side plate 5 to the high-temperature alloy melt 1, so that it can be thrown out smoothly at the front end of the flow channel, and at the same time, the flow rate of the high-temperature alloy melt 1 is reduced, so that the prepared alloy sheet is thinner. In addition, after each smelting, the chamfer 10 must be cut again to avoid the appearance of the wear seam 8.

[0038] As an optional implementation, in some embodiments, the guide block 9 is triangular, and the angle between its upper surface and the bottom plate 4 of the flow channel is 30° to 50°. The inclination of the guide block 9 can be adjusted according to actual use conditions to meet the requirements of guiding the high-temperature alloy melt 1. Preferably, the inclination of the inclined surface of the guide block 9 is 40°, which has a better guiding effect.

[0039] As an optional implementation, in some embodiments, the width of the guide block 9 is smaller than the width of the flow channel. Furthermore, the height of the guide block 9 is 1 / 2 to 3 / 4 of the depth of the flow channel. Among them, the width of the guide block 9 is slightly smaller than the width of the flow channel. It is best that the guide block 9 is just embedded in the flow channel to prevent the high-temperature alloy melt 1 from flowing into the gap between the guide block 9 and the flow channel. The height of the guide block 9 can be adjusted according to actual use to meet the requirements of guiding the high-temperature alloy melt 1. Preferably, the height of the guide block 9 is 3 / 4 of the depth of the flow channel, and this height has better impact resistance.

[0040] As an optional implementation, in some embodiments, the gap between the guide block 9 and the flow channel is filled with a filler material to prevent the high-temperature alloy melt 1 from infiltrating. In this way, the recovery rate of the alloy can be effectively improved. In addition, the filler material can include but is not limited to high-temperature plastic refractory mud, green mud repair material or medium frequency furnace repair material.

[0041] As an optional implementation, in some embodiments, the guide block 9 is designed to be replaceable, and can be replaced when it is seriously damaged, thereby extending the service life of the flow channel. Wherein, the guide block 9 is cut from a discarded flow channel base, and can be replaced with a new one when it is seriously damaged.

[0042] As an optional implementation, in some embodiments, the angle of the chamfer angle 9 is 40° to 50°. The angle of the chamfer angle 9 can be adjusted according to actual use conditions to meet the requirement of smoothly throwing out the high-temperature alloy melt 1. Preferably, the angle of the chamfer angle 9 is 45°, which has a better effect of throwing out the high-temperature alloy melt 1.

[0043] Comparative Example 1:

[0044] SA-02 alloy is a Ti-based hydrogen storage alloy used in solid-state hydrogen storage systems. Its general composition is Ti: 0.7-0.8, Zr: 0.2-0.3, Cr: 0.2-0.3, Mn: 1.1-1.2, 80VFe: 1.1-1.2, and a small amount of Ni, Cu and La. Its capacity is 1.81wt%, and the hydrogen absorption / desorption platform is 7.30 / 3.45atm.

[0045] See also Figure 5If a traditional launder device is used, it lacks a design that resists thermal shock. Under the scouring of the high-temperature alloy melt, the first 7kg of SA-02 alloy will form a relatively obvious thermal erosion pit 7 (depth of about 5mm) and a wear seam 8. The first smelting of SA-02 alloy charge can only yield about 5.9kg of SA-02 alloy, and the recovery rate is only 84.3%. Moreover, as the number of smeltings increases, the thermal erosion pit 7 and the wear seam 8 increase, and the recovery rate further decreases. When used for the 7th time, the depth of the thermal erosion pit 7 reached 20mm, and only 5.2kg of SA-02 alloy (recovery rate 74.3%) could be received. At the same time, the wear seam 8 caused the roller to stick, resulting in severe wear on the front end of the launder, and the launder could no longer be used and was scrapped.

[0046] However, after using the launder device of the present invention, the launder has a higher thermal shock resistance, and no obvious thermal corrosion pits 7 and wear seams 8 are formed in the first smelting of SA-02 alloy. Similarly, 6.6 kg of SA-02 alloy charge can be collected in the first smelting, with a recovery rate of 94.3%. After smelting 7 times, 6.4 kg can be collected, with a recovery rate of 91.4%. Finally, the launder was scrapped due to front-end wear after 15 uses, and 6.2 kg can still be collected at this time, with a recovery rate of 87.1%.

[0047] When smelting 7 kg of SA-02 alloy, the service life of the flow channel device of the present invention is increased by 2 times compared with the traditional flow channel device.

[0048] Comparative Example 2:

[0049] When the SA-02 alloy smelting batch size is increased from 7kg to 14kg, the pouring time of the molten alloy is extended from about 40 seconds to more than 120 seconds. The long-term flushing of the high-temperature alloy melt poses a greater challenge to the performance of the launder.

[0050] The traditional launder device has poor thermal shock resistance, and obvious thermal pits 7 (depth of about 12mm) and wear seams 8 will appear in the first use, accompanied by a more serious "roller sticking" phenomenon. In the later stage of the alloy pouring process, even a slight "liquid leakage" phenomenon occurs. The first smelting yield is about 11.5kg, and the yield rate is 82.1%. At this time, the service life of the launder is further shortened to 2-3 furnaces.

[0051] The use of the flow trough device of the present invention can significantly improve the thermal erosion pits 7 and the wear seams 8. The first smelting yielded about 13.4 kg of material, with a yield rate of 95.7%. After smelting 8 times, the guide block 9 was seriously damaged and replaced. Finally, the flow trough was scrapped due to wear at the front end after 12 uses. At this time, it could still yield 12.5 kg of material, with a yield rate of 89.2%.

[0052] When 14 kg of SA-02 alloy is smelted, the service life of the flow channel device of the present invention is increased by 4 times compared with the traditional flow channel device.

[0053] Experiments have shown that the present invention can effectively improve the alloy recovery rate and the service life of the flow channel, while avoiding the "roller sticking" and "liquid leakage" phenomena, providing technical support for the large-scale application of titanium-based and vanadium-based hydrogen storage alloys.

[0054] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example" or "some examples" etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, unless they are contradictory.

[0055] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of the present invention, and their purpose is to enable ordinary technicians in the field to understand the content of the present invention and implement it accordingly, and they cannot be used to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any equivalent changes or modifications made based on the essence of the content of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A novel hydrogen storage alloy smelting launder device, characterized in that: include: A flow trough, on the bottom plate of which a guide block is arranged, the guide block is arranged at the first contact point with the high-temperature alloy melt, and the guide block is used to receive and guide the high-temperature alloy melt flowing down from the pouring funnel; The two side plates of the flow trough are provided with an inclination angle, the two inclination angles are close to one end of the copper roller, and the inclined surfaces of the two chamfered angles are arranged opposite to each other, and the inclined surfaces are inclined from the inside of the flow trough toward the outside, and the inclination angle is used to reduce the obstruction of the high-temperature alloy melt flowing to the copper roller.

2. The novel hydrogen storage alloy smelting launder device according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The guide block is triangular in shape, and the angle between its upper surface and the bottom plate of the flow channel is 30° to 50°.

3. The novel hydrogen storage alloy smelting launder device according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The width of the guide block is smaller than the width of the flow channel.

4. The novel hydrogen storage alloy smelting launder device according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The height of the guide block is 1 / 2 to 3 / 4 of the depth of the flow channel.

5. The novel hydrogen storage alloy smelting launder device according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The gap between the guide block and the flow channel is filled with filler material to prevent the high-temperature alloy melt from penetrating.

6. The novel hydrogen storage alloy smelting launder device according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The guide block is designed to be replaceable and can be replaced when it is severely damaged, thereby extending the service life of the flow channel.

7. The novel hydrogen storage alloy smelting launder device according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The angle of the chamfer is 40° to 50°.

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