Energy-saving device for vacuum consumable electrode furnace

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of vacuum self-consuming furnaces, in particular to an energy-saving device for a vacuum self-consuming furnace. The energy-saving device for the vacuum consumable electrode furnace comprises a crucible and a water cooling mechanism, the water cooling mechanism comprises a first water jacket sleeved on the crucible and a second water jacket sleeved on the first water jacket; a first water cooling space is formed between the crucible and the first water jacket; the second water jacket comprises an inner wall and an outer wall; the inner wall is sleeved and attached to the first water jacket, and the second water jacket is arranged outside the crucible and corresponds to an electric arc area in the crucible; a second water cooling space is formed between the inner wall and the outer wall. The energy-saving device for the vacuum self-consuming furnace is ingenious in structural design, the cooling force on the inner arc area of the crucible can be intensified in a targeted mode through cooperation of the first water cooling space and the second water cooling space according to the characteristic that different areas of the vacuum self-consuming furnace are different in temperature, and therefore cooling of the arc area is accelerated, the temperature difference of adjacent areas is balanced, and the service life of the arc area is prolonged. The crucible is assisted to achieve the purpose of rapid cooling, and meanwhile energy consumption can be remarkably reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of vacuum self-consuming furnace technology, and more specifically, to an energy-saving device for a vacuum self-consuming furnace. Background Technology

[0002] A vacuum arc remelting furnace (ARF) is a key piece of equipment used for melting high-purity metals (such as titanium, zirconium, hafnium, and other reactive metals). Its core principle is to generate an electric arc in a vacuum environment using consumable electrodes, melting the electrode material and dripping it into a water-cooled copper crucible to form a directionally solidified metal ingot. The ARF mainly consists of the following components: a vacuum system to maintain a high vacuum environment (typically ≤10⁻³Pa) and prevent metal oxidation; an electrode system where the consumable electrodes serve as the smelting raw material, with the consumption rate controlled by a feeding mechanism; a water-cooled copper crucible with cooling water flowing through the bottom to rapidly cool the molten pool for solidification; and a power system to provide stable arc energy, typically ranging from 500kW to 5MW.

[0003] Among them, in the water-cooled copper crucible section, the cooling design mainly faces the problems of poor cooling effect and high energy consumption: (1) The temperature of the arc area below the electrode during melting is as high as 2800-3200℃, but the traditional single-layer water-cooled crucible only relies on the limited area at the bottom for heat dissipation. Actual measurement data shows that the temperature difference between the top and bottom of the molten pool often exceeds 200℃, which not only causes the formation of coarse columnar crystals when the metal solidifies, but also easily produces shrinkage cavities inside the ingot. In order to maintain safe operation, the cooling water flow rate needs to be maintained at 40-60 cubic meters / hour all year round. This part of the energy consumption accounts for nearly one-fifth of the total power consumption of the equipment. (2) A single cooling circuit cannot enhance heat dissipation for the high-temperature area, resulting in a temperature difference between the edge and center of the molten pool exceeding 150℃. This temperature difference will cause serious element segregation. When the melting enters the later stage and the electrode is almost exhausted, the heat of the molten pool has been greatly reduced, but the cooling water system still needs to maintain high flow rate operation, resulting in a large amount of energy waste.

[0004] Therefore, developing an energy-saving device for vacuum self-consuming furnaces has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this utility model is to provide an energy-saving device for a vacuum self-consuming furnace. The energy-saving device for a vacuum self-consuming furnace has an ingenious structural design. It can enhance the cooling of the inner arc zone of the crucible by coordinating the first and second water-cooling spaces, based on the different temperature characteristics of different areas of the vacuum self-consuming furnace. This accelerates the cooling of the arc zone and balances the temperature difference of adjacent areas, helping the crucible to achieve rapid cooling, while significantly saving energy consumption.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the preferred solution adopted by this utility model is:

[0007] An energy-saving device for a vacuum arc furnace includes: a crucible and a water-cooling mechanism; the water-cooling mechanism includes a first water jacket sleeved on and detachably connected to the crucible, and a second water jacket sleeved on the first water jacket; a first water-cooling space is formed between the crucible and the first water jacket; the second water jacket includes an inner wall and an outer wall; the inner wall is sleeved on and attached to the first water jacket, and the second water jacket is located outside the crucible at a position corresponding to the arc area inside the crucible; a second water-cooling space is formed between the inner wall and the outer wall.

[0008] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the second water jacket further includes a partition plate; the outer wall is provided with an inlet and an outlet for communicating with the second water-cooling space; the inlet and outlet are arranged adjacent to each other; the partition plate is disposed in the second water-cooling space and between the inlet and the outlet; the edge of the partition plate is connected to the inner wall and the outer wall so that water can flow into the second water-cooling space from the inlet and out of the second water-cooling space from the outlet.

[0009] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of this invention, the inner wall and the outer wall, along the cross-section perpendicular to the center line of the crucible, form two coaxial annular rings.

[0010] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the water cooling mechanism further includes an inlet pipe connected and communicating with the inlet and an outlet pipe connected and communicating with the outlet; both the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are provided with a one-way valve assembly; the one-way valve assembly includes a valve disc hinged to the inner top wall of the inlet pipe or the outlet pipe; the valve disc has a water-facing surface; the water-facing surface forms an acute angle or an obtuse angle with the axis of the inlet pipe or the outlet pipe.

[0011] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a spiral groove is recessed on the outer wall of the crucible; the spiral groove extends in a spiral shape toward the bottom and top of the crucible with the axis of the crucible as the center line.

[0012] The beneficial effects of the energy-saving device for a vacuum self-consuming furnace provided by this utility model are:

[0013] The energy-saving device for a vacuum arc furnace provided by this utility model includes a crucible and a water-cooling mechanism. Based on the structural design of the crucible and the water-cooling mechanism, as well as the design of their interconnection, the resulting energy-saving device for a vacuum arc furnace can achieve the following:

[0014] (1) Cooling efficiency is greatly improved: In this application, the second water-cooled space is fitted into the first water-cooled space and surrounds the arc area. By combining the cooling water flow rate with the first water-cooled space when the cooling water is introduced, the arc area achieves rapid heat dissipation through the combined longitudinal and transverse cooling design, thereby improving the solidification rate of the molten pool, reducing the temperature difference between the center and the edge of the molten pool, and thus effectively avoiding the formation of shrinkage cavities and coarse columnar crystals in metal ingots.

[0015] (2) Energy consumption is significantly reduced: A second water-cooled space is added to the arc area, which reduces the cooling water flow of the first water-cooled space, and at the same time reduces water consumption and total power consumption of the equipment. Although the second water-cooled space also needs water and electricity, its energy consumption is much less than that of the first water-cooled space alone. It can also shorten the cooling time, reduce energy consumption, and save production costs. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this utility model and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 A partial longitudinal cross-sectional schematic diagram of the energy-saving device for a vacuum self-consuming furnace provided in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0018] Figure 2 A partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the energy-saving device for a vacuum self-consuming furnace provided in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the front structure of the crucible portion of the energy-saving device for a vacuum self-consuming furnace provided in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0020] Icons: 10-Energy-saving device for vacuum self-consumable furnace, 200-Crucible, 300-Water-cooling mechanism, 400-First water-cooling space, 500-Second water-cooling space, 210-Spiral groove, 310-First water jacket, 320-Second water jacket, 321-Inner wall, 322-Outer wall, 323-Divider plate, 324-Water inlet pipe, 325-Water outlet pipe, 3221-Water inlet, 3222-Water outlet, 600-One-way valve assembly, 610-Valve disc, 611-Water-facing surface. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this utility model described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0022] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures. Example

[0024] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-3 The present invention will be further described as follows:

[0025] This utility model provides an energy-saving device 10 for a vacuum self-consuming furnace. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 1-3 The energy-saving device 10 for the vacuum self-consuming furnace includes a crucible 200 and a water-cooling mechanism 300.

[0026] In this embodiment, the outer wall of the crucible 200 is recessed with a spiral groove 210, which extends spirally toward the bottom and top of the crucible 200 with the axis of the crucible 200 as the center line.

[0027] The design of the spiral groove 210 can increase the contact area between the outer surface of the crucible 200 and the cooling water, thereby increasing the heat exchange rate per unit time, thus more efficiently removing the high heat generated during the melting process and reducing the crucible temperature; it can also guide the cooling water to form turbulence, reduce the thickness of the laminar boundary layer, improve the convective heat transfer coefficient, and enhance the cooling effect.

[0028] In this embodiment, the water cooling mechanism 300 includes a first water jacket 310 sleeved on and detachably connected to the crucible 200, and a second water jacket 320 sleeved on the first water jacket 310. A first water cooling space 400 is formed between the crucible 200 and the first water jacket 310.

[0029] The second water jacket 320 is located outside the crucible 200 at a position corresponding to the arc zone inside the crucible 200.

[0030] The second water jacket 320 includes an inner wall 321, an outer wall 322, a partition plate 323, an inlet pipe 324, and an outlet pipe 325.

[0031] The inner wall 321 is fitted and attached to the first water jacket 310, and a second water-cooling space 500 is formed between the inner wall 321 and the outer wall 322. In this embodiment, the inner wall 321 and the outer wall 322 are two annular rings arranged with coaxial centers along the cross-sections perpendicular to the axis of the crucible 200.

[0032] The outer wall 322 has an inlet 3221 and an outlet 3222 for communicating with the second water-cooled space 500. The inlet 3221 and the outlet 3222 are arranged adjacent to each other. A partition plate 323 is disposed in the second water-cooled space 500 and between the inlet 3221 and the outlet 3222. The edge of the partition plate 323 is connected to the inner wall 321 and the outer wall 322 so that water can flow into the second water-cooled space 500 from the inlet 3221 and out of the second water-cooled space 500 from the outlet 3222.

[0033] The inlet pipe 324 is connected to and communicates with the inlet 3221, and the outlet pipe 325 is connected to and communicates with the outlet 3222. Both the inlet pipe 324 and the outlet pipe 325 are equipped with a one-way valve assembly 600. In this embodiment, the one-way valve assembly 600 includes a valve disc 610 that is hinged to the inner top wall of the inlet pipe 324 or the outlet pipe 325. The valve disc 610 has a water-facing surface 611, which forms an acute or obtuse angle with the axis of the inlet pipe 324 or the outlet pipe 325.

[0034] The energy-saving device 10 for the vacuum self-consuming furnace provided in this embodiment works as follows: When the water-cooling mechanism 300 needs to be activated, cooling water is introduced into the first water-cooling space 400 at a low flow rate, while cooling water is introduced into the second water-cooling space 500 at a high flow rate. The cooling water enters through the inlet pipe 324, opens the one-way valve, enters the inlet 3221, flows in a circular manner, and then automatically opens the one-way valve at the outlet 3222 to flow out. After a period of time, the flow rate of cooling water into the first water-cooling space 400 is increased, while the flow rate of cooling water into the second water-cooling space 500 is decreased.

[0035] In summary, the energy-saving device 10 for vacuum self-consuming furnaces provided in this embodiment has an ingenious structural design. It can, based on the different temperature characteristics of different areas of the vacuum self-consuming furnace, strengthen the cooling of the inner arc area of ​​the crucible 200 through the cooperation of the first water-cooling space 400 and the second water-cooling space 500. This accelerates the cooling of the arc area and balances the temperature difference of adjacent areas, helping the crucible 200 to achieve rapid cooling, while significantly saving energy consumption.

[0036] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. Various modifications and variations can be made to this utility model by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. An energy-saving device for a vacuum arc furnace, characterized in that: include: A crucible and a water-cooling mechanism; the water-cooling mechanism includes a first water jacket fitted onto the crucible and detachably connected to the crucible, and a second water jacket fitted onto the first water jacket; a first water-cooling space is formed between the crucible and the first water jacket; The second water jacket includes an inner wall and an outer wall; the inner wall is fitted and attached to the first water jacket, and the second water jacket is disposed outside the crucible at a position corresponding to the electric arc area inside the crucible; a second water-cooling space is formed between the inner wall and the outer wall.

2. The energy-saving device for a vacuum self-consuming furnace according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second water jacket also includes a partition plate; The outer wall has an inlet and an outlet for communicating with the second water-cooled space; the inlet and the outlet are arranged adjacent to each other; the partition plate is arranged in the second water-cooled space and between the inlet and the outlet; the edge of the partition plate is connected to the inner wall and the outer wall so that water can flow into the second water-cooled space from the inlet and out of the second water-cooled space from the outlet.

3. The energy-saving device for a vacuum self-consuming furnace according to claim 2, characterized in that: The inner wall and the outer wall, along a cross-section perpendicular to the center line of the crucible, form two coaxial annular rings.

4. The energy-saving device for a vacuum self-consuming furnace according to claim 3, characterized in that: The water cooling mechanism also includes an inlet pipe connected to and communicating with the inlet and an outlet pipe connected to and communicating with the outlet; both the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are equipped with a one-way valve assembly. The one-way valve assembly includes a valve disc hinged to the inner top wall of the inlet pipe or the outlet pipe; the valve disc has a water-facing surface; the water-facing surface forms an acute or obtuse angle with the axis of the inlet pipe or the outlet pipe.

5. The energy-saving device for a vacuum self-consuming furnace according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer wall of the crucible is recessed with a spiral groove; the spiral groove extends in a spiral shape toward the bottom and top of the crucible with the axis of the crucible as the center line.

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