Arc furnace electrode spraying regulating system with humidity sensor

Abstract

This utility model relates to an electric arc furnace electrode spraying adjustment system with a humidity sensor, including an electrode that passes vertically through the furnace cover and an annular spray pipe surrounding the electrode, as well as an outer tube and an inner tube sleeved on the electrode. The upper and lower ends of the outer tube are located on the upper and lower sides of the furnace cover, respectively. An annular air supply chamber is formed between the outer tube and the inner tube. Multiple upward-facing air jets are opened on the inner tube. The air jets are located between the inner tube and the electrode and are connected to the air supply chamber. The multiple air jets are evenly distributed along the circumference of the electrode. An air inlet pipe connected to the air supply chamber is opened on the outer tube. An electrically controlled flow valve is installed on the air inlet pipe. A humidity sensor is installed below the furnace cover. This utility model achieves multiple goals in one fell swoop: improving production safety, extending the life of the furnace lining and electrodes, ensuring the metallurgical quality of steel, and reducing operating energy consumption. It provides strong technical support for the green, efficient, and intelligent smelting of electric arc furnaces.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electric arc furnace technology, specifically to an electric arc furnace electrode spray adjustment system with a humidity sensor. Background Technology

[0002] In modern electric arc furnace steelmaking, the electrodes, as the core components for energy transmission, operate in extremely harsh environments, enduring high-temperature radiation exceeding 1600°C and arc impact. To ensure the electrodes themselves are not excessively burned and to maintain stable mechanical strength, continuous water mist cooling is typically achieved through spray pipes surrounding the electrodes. However, because the electrodes need to be constantly raised and lowered according to smelting conditions, a dynamic gap inevitably exists between them and the furnace cover insertion holes. This structure causes some cooling water mist to be drawn into the negative pressure zone inside the furnace through this gap, triggering a series of chain reactions and hazards.

[0003] First, even trace amounts of moisture entering the high-temperature molten pool will instantly vaporize, increasing in volume by over 1700 times. The resulting high-pressure steam bubbles violently break through the surface of the molten steel, causing severe splashing accidents that seriously threaten operational safety and production. Second, the generated water vapor will chemically react with the magnesia-carbon bricks in the furnace lining, causing the lining to expand in volume and peel off structurally, significantly shortening its service life. Simultaneously, the intrusion of water vapor will drastically accelerate the oxidation and wear of the electrode surface, and the alternating hot and cold temperatures will generate enormous thermal stress inside the electrodes, easily leading to longitudinal cracking or even fracture—a "hard fracture" accident. More critically, the hydrogen produced by the decomposition of water vapor at high temperatures will be absorbed by the molten steel, causing defects such as white spots and hairline cracks in the final steel product, severely affecting product quality.

[0004] Currently, to balance the conflict between electrode cooling and preventing water vapor intrusion, a protective air curtain is typically blown into the gap between the electrodes and the furnace cover. However, existing air curtain systems mostly operate on a fixed flow rate, unable to dynamically adjust according to the actual water vapor concentration inside the furnace. When the humidity inside the furnace is already low, continuous high-flow-rate blowing leads to a waste of gas and energy; while when humidity suddenly increases, a fixed air flow rate may not be sufficient to effectively block water vapor intrusion, resulting in delayed regulation and low efficiency. Therefore, developing an intelligent air curtain system capable of real-time response and precise control is urgently needed to solve the above technical challenges. Utility Model Content

[0005] This invention addresses the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing an electric arc furnace electrode spraying adjustment system with a humidity sensor. By introducing humidity sensing and a closed-loop feedback control mechanism, it effectively solves the contradiction between cooling and sealing in traditional electric arc furnace electrode cooling systems, resulting in significant technological progress and economic benefits.

[0006] This utility model is achieved through the following technical solution: providing an electric arc furnace electrode spraying adjustment system with a humidity sensor, including an electrode that passes vertically through the furnace cover and an annular spray pipe surrounding the electrode, and an outer tube and an inner tube sleeved on the electrode. The upper and lower ends of the outer tube are respectively located on the upper and lower sides of the furnace cover, and an annular air supply chamber is formed between the outer tube and the inner tube. Multiple upward-facing air jets are opened on the inner tube. The air jets are located between the inner tube and the electrode and are connected to the air supply chamber. The multiple air jets are evenly distributed along the circumference of the electrode. An air inlet pipe connected to the air supply chamber is opened on the outer tube. An electrically controlled flow valve is installed on the air inlet pipe. A humidity sensor is installed below the furnace cover.

[0007] This solution uses a humidity sensor installed under the furnace cover to monitor the furnace environment in real time. When excessive humidity is detected, the system automatically increases the air intake, creating a stronger airflow barrier to effectively prevent water mist intrusion. This fundamentally avoids a series of derivative problems caused by moisture vaporization, such as splashing, furnace lining damage, electrode oxidation and cracking, and hydrogen enrichment in molten steel. Once the furnace humidity returns to a safe range, the system intelligently reduces the air intake, maximizing gas consumption and energy cost savings while ensuring sufficient electrode cooling.

[0008] As an optimization, a connecting flange plate is fixed to the outer ring of the outer tube, and the connecting flange plate is fixed to the upper end face of the furnace cover by bolts. In this solution, the flange plate achieves both fixation and sealing between the outer tube and the furnace cover.

[0009] As an optimization, a connecting inner convex ring is fixedly connected to the inner ring at the upper end of the outer tube, and the inner tube is threadedly connected to the connecting inner convex ring. In this solution, the inner tube is threadedly connected to the connecting inner convex ring, thus realizing the connection between the inner tube and the outer tube.

[0010] As an optimization, the lower end of the outer tube is fixedly connected to an annular base plate, and the lower end of the inner tube is fitted against the upper end of the annular base plate. The air supply chamber is located between the connecting inner convex ring and the annular base plate. In this design, the lower end of the inner tube is fitted against the upper end of the annular base plate, thereby achieving a seal between the inner and outer tubes after the inner tube is screwed in.

[0011] As an optimization, an inner jet convex ring is fixedly connected to the inner ring at the lower end of the inner tube, and the jet nozzle is located on the upper end face of the jet convex ring. In this design, the jet nozzle is set through the inner convex ring.

[0012] As an optimization, the inner tube has multiple L-shaped holes extending to the upper end face of the jet inner convex ring. In this design, the upper end of the L-shaped hole is the jet nozzle.

[0013] As an optimization, the humidity sensor is a graphene humidity sensor. The graphene humidity sensor in this solution possesses millisecond-level response, ultra-high sensitivity, and flexible self-healing properties, enabling timely detection of humidity within the electric arc furnace and ensuring smelting safety.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: This utility model provides an electric arc furnace electrode spray adjustment system with a humidity sensor, which realizes intelligent on-demand adjustment of the protective air curtain flow rate. By monitoring the furnace environment in real time through a humidity sensor installed under the furnace cover, the system can automatically increase the air intake when excessive humidity is detected, forming a stronger airflow barrier to resolutely block water mist intrusion. This fundamentally avoids a series of derivative problems caused by moisture vaporization, such as splashing, furnace lining damage, electrode oxidation and cracking, and hydrogen enrichment in molten steel. When the furnace humidity returns to a safe range, the system can intelligently reduce the air intake, maximizing gas consumption and energy cost savings while ensuring sufficient electrode cooling.

[0015] Furthermore, the unique double-layer tube structure and upward-spraying airflow design employed in this patent create a stable, uniform, and upward-moving annular air curtain around the electrodes. This dynamic air curtain not only effectively disperses and discharges the seeping water mist upwards towards the furnace cover, but its upward flow also helps to counteract the suction effect of negative pressure inside the furnace, resulting in a more thorough and reliable seal. In summary, this system achieves multiple goals simultaneously: improving production safety, extending the lifespan of the furnace lining and electrodes, ensuring the metallurgical quality of steel, and reducing operating energy consumption, providing strong technical support for the green, efficient, and intelligent smelting of electric arc furnaces. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the jet mechanism of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the outer tube of this utility model; Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the inner tube of this utility model; Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the annular spray pipe of this utility model; As shown in the figure: 1. Furnace cover; 2. Electrode; 3. Annular spray pipe; 4. Electrode holder; 5. Humidity sensor; 6. Outer pipe; 7. Inner pipe; 8. Air jet nozzle; 9. Air inlet pipe; 10. Connecting flange plate; 11. Connecting inner convex ring; 12. Annular base plate; 13. Air jet inner convex ring; 14. L-shaped hole; 15. Spray nozzle; 16. Water inlet pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0017] To clearly illustrate the technical features of this solution, the following detailed implementation method will be used to explain the solution.

[0018] like Figures 1-5As shown, the present invention discloses an electric arc furnace electrode spray adjustment system with a humidity sensor, including an electrode 2 that passes vertically through the furnace cover 1 and an annular spray pipe 3 surrounding the electrode 2. The electrode 2 is clamped by an electrode holder 4 and driven to rise and fall. By quickly and accurately controlling the up and down movement of the electrode, the stability and efficiency of the electric arc are maintained, thereby controlling the energy input of the entire melting process.

[0019] like Figure 5 As shown, the annular spray pipe 3 is a circular pipe that surrounds the outside of the electrode 2. The inner ring of the annular spray pipe 3 is provided with multiple spray nozzles 15 to spray water mist onto the electrode 2 for cooling. Cooling water is supplied to the annular spray pipe 3 through the water inlet pipe 16.

[0020] It also includes a jetting mechanism, which includes an outer tube 6 and an inner tube 7. The inner tube 7 is located in the outer tube 6 and is coaxially arranged. The inner tube 7 is sleeved on the electrode 2, and there is a gap between the inner tube 7 and the electrode 2. There is also a gap between the outer tube 6 and the inner tube 7.

[0021] Since the furnace cover 1 has a through hole for inserting the capacitive electrode, the jetting mechanism is set in the through hole, so that the upper and lower ends of the outer tube 6 are located on the upper and lower sides of the furnace cover 1 respectively. The outer diameter of the outer tube 6 is the same as the inner diameter of the through hole, which plays a sealing role. In order to fix the outer tube 6, a connecting flange plate 10 is fixed to the outer ring of the outer tube 6. The connecting flange plate 10 is an annular plate and perpendicular to the axis of the outer tube 6. The connecting flange plate 10 is fixed to the upper end face of the furnace cover 1 by bolts.

[0022] An annular air supply chamber is formed between the outer tube 6 and the inner tube 7. Multiple upward-facing air jets 8 are located between the inner tube 7 and the electrode 2 and communicate with the air supply chamber. These air jets 8 are evenly distributed around the electrode 2. An air inlet pipe 9, communicating with the air supply chamber, is located on the outer tube 6. An electrically controlled flow valve is installed on the air inlet pipe 9 to control the air intake volume. A humidity sensor 5 is installed below the furnace cover 1. In this embodiment, the humidity sensor 5 is a graphene humidity sensor.

[0023] To achieve a sealed air supply chamber, a connecting inner protruding ring 11 is fixedly connected to the inner ring at the upper end of the outer tube 6. The connecting inner protruding ring 11 and the outer tube 6 are integrally formed, and the inner tube 7 is threadedly connected to the connecting inner protruding ring 11. This achieves a fixed connection between the inner tube 7 and the outer tube 6, and simultaneously seals the upper end of the gap between the inner and outer tubes.

[0024] The lower end of the outer tube 6 is fixed to an annular base plate 12. The electrode passes through the inner hole of the annular base plate 12. The lower end of the inner tube 7 is attached to the upper end of the annular base plate 12, thereby sealing the lower end of the gap between the inner tube and the outer tube. The air supply chamber is set between the inner convex ring 11 and the annular base plate 12.

[0025] An inner jet convex ring 13 is fixedly connected to the inner ring at the lower end of the inner tube 7, and the jet nozzle 8 is located on the upper end face of the jet convex ring 13. To achieve communication between the air supply chamber and the jet nozzle 8, as follows... Figure 4 As shown, multiple L-shaped holes 14 extending to the upper end face of the jet inner convex ring 13 are opened on the side of the inner tube 7. The upper end of the L-shaped hole 14 is the jet nozzle 8.

[0026] How to use this utility model: During the smelting process, electrode 2 is inserted into the furnace cover 1. The electrode 2 above the furnace cover 1 is sprayed and cooled through the spray nozzle 15 of the inner ring of the annular spray pipe 3. The gas used to dry it enters the gas supply chamber from the gas inlet pipe 9 and is then sprayed upward through multiple jet nozzles 8, thereby preventing the sprayed water mist from entering the furnace.

[0027] Humidity sensor 5 detects the humidity inside the furnace. When the humidity inside the furnace is too high, the air intake of the air inlet pipe 9 is increased by the electronically controlled flow valve to prevent water mist from entering the furnace. When the humidity inside the furnace drops to a suitable range, the air intake of the air inlet pipe 9 is reduced by the electronically controlled flow valve to ensure that the electrode 2 can achieve the best cooling effect.

[0028] Of course, the above description is not limited to the examples above. Technical features of this utility model not described can be implemented by or using existing technology, and will not be repeated here. The above embodiments and drawings are only used to illustrate the technical solution of this utility model and are not intended to limit this utility model. This utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art should understand that any changes, modifications, additions or substitutions made by those skilled in the art within the scope of this utility model do not depart from the spirit of this utility model and should also fall within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. An electric arc furnace electrode spraying adjustment system with a humidity sensor, comprising an electrode (2) vertically passing through a furnace cover (1) and an annular spray pipe (3) surrounding the electrode (2), characterized in that: It also includes an outer tube (6) and an inner tube (7) fitted on the electrode (2). The upper and lower ends of the outer tube (6) are located on the upper and lower sides of the furnace cover (1), respectively. The outer tube (6) and the inner tube (7) form an annular air supply chamber. The inner tube (7) has multiple upward-facing air jets (8). The air jets (8) are located between the inner tube (7) and the electrode (2) and are connected to the air supply chamber. The multiple air jets (8) are evenly distributed around the electrode (2). The outer tube (6) has an air inlet pipe (9) connected to the air supply chamber. An electrically controlled flow valve is installed on the air inlet pipe (9). A humidity sensor (5) is installed below the furnace cover (1).

2. The electric arc furnace electrode spraying adjustment system with humidity sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer ring of the outer tube (6) is fixed with a connecting flange plate (10), which is fixed to the upper end face of the furnace cover (1) by bolts.

3. The electric arc furnace electrode spraying adjustment system with humidity sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner ring at the upper end of the outer tube (6) is fixed with a connecting inner protrusion ring (11), and the inner tube (7) is threadedly connected to the connecting inner protrusion ring (11).

4. The electric arc furnace electrode spraying adjustment system with humidity sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that: The lower end of the outer tube (6) is fixed to an annular base plate (12), the lower end of the inner tube (7) is attached to the upper end of the annular base plate (12), and the air supply chamber is set between the connecting inner convex ring (11) and the annular base plate (12).

5. The electric arc furnace electrode spraying adjustment system with humidity sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner ring at the lower end of the inner tube (7) is fixed with an inner jet convex ring (13), and the jet port (8) is located on the upper end face of the inner jet convex ring (13).

6. The electric arc furnace electrode spraying adjustment system with humidity sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that: The inner tube (7) has multiple L-shaped holes (14) extending to the upper end face of the jet inner convex ring (13) on its side.

7. The electric arc furnace electrode spraying adjustment system with humidity sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The humidity sensor (5) is a graphene humidity sensor.

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