Feed inlet structure, burner and method for supplying material to a burner

Abstract

The feed inlet structure (10) of the burner (4) for the suspension melting furnace includes an inlet space (14) defined within the feed inlet structure. The feed inlet structure (10) further includes an inlet opening (15) and a feed distributor (16) disposed at least partially within the inlet space (15). The feed distributor (16) is configured to separate the target material from the standard feed material, the target material having a particle size larger than a maximum particle size of the standard feed material. The feed distributor (16) includes at least one divider plate (17) including a first face portion (18) having a first surface (19). The first surface (19) of each divider plate (17) is configured to deviate a trajectory (27) of at least a portion of the target material from a trajectory (28) of the standard feed material within the feed inlet structure (10) when a feed material including the standard feed material and the target material is fed into the feed inlet structure.

Description

background

[0001] The present disclosure relates to feeding material to a burner, and more particularly to a burner for use in a suspension melting furnace. The present disclosure further relates to a feed inlet structure, a burner and a method of feeding material to the burner.

[0002] The feed material supplied to burners, especially those of suspension melting furnaces, often contains larger objects in addition to the so-called standard feed material. These larger objects can adversely affect the combustion characteristics. Attempts have been made to prevent this problem by providing vertical plates or rods at the inlet opening of the feed structure of the burner. However, this causes the objects to concentrate at the inlet opening and ultimately block the flow of the feed material to the burner. The larger objects mixed with the standard feed material cause inhomogeneous combustion results. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a novel feed inlet structure, a novel burner and a novel method of feeding material to the burner.

[0004] The object of the disclosure is achieved by the aspects which are characterized by what is stated in the independent claims. Some embodiments of the disclosure are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0005] Even if there are embodiments and configurations described in this specification but not included in the scope of the independent claims, they should be construed as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the present disclosure. Some aspects of the present disclosure are defined by the independent claims.

[0006] The present disclosure is based on the idea of ​​providing a feed distributor at least in a portion of the interior of the feed inlet structure, the feed distributor comprising at least one dividing plate having a surface with a horizontal component.

[0007] An advantage of the present disclosure is that the feed distributor divides the feed material into a standard feed that follows a first trajectory inside the feed inlet structure and a larger target material that is received by a dividing plate and guided to a second trajectory inside the feed inlet structure, thereby preventing the standard feed being fed to the burner from being blocked and allowing the larger target material to be further directed to the feed inlet structure to improve the combustion characteristics of the burner. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] In the following, the present disclosure will be described in more detail by way of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a suspension melting furnace as seen from the side; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic, partially see-through view of a burner of a suspension melting furnace as seen from the side; [Figure 3a] , [Figure 3b] and [Figure 3c] 3A-3C are schematic diagrams showing three embodiments of a feed inlet structure as viewed in the direction AA of FIG. 2. [Figure 4a] , [Figure 4b] and [Figure 4c] 1A-1C are schematic diagrams showing three embodiments of a feed inlet structure as viewed from the side in cross section; [Figure 5a] and [Figure 5b] FIG. 2 shows a schematic, partially see-through view of two embodiments of a dividing plate seen from the side. [Figure 6a] , [Figure 6b] and [Figure 6c] FIG. 2 shows schematic details of two embodiments of a feed distributor. [Figure 7a] and [Figure 7b] 1A-1D are schematic diagrams of two different embodiments of a feed distributor shown in perspective; [Figure 8] The method of supplying material to the burner is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a suspension melting furnace, and FIG. 2 shows a schematic burner of the suspension melting furnace.

[0010] 1 may comprise a reaction shaft 1, an intake shaft 2, a lower furnace 3 and a burner 4, such as a concentrate burner or a matte burner, serving to supply reaction gases and feed materials to the reaction shaft 1 of the suspension smelting furnace. The suspension smelting furnace 20 may comprise, for example, a flash conversion furnace or a flash smelting furnace.

[0011] The burner 4 of the suspension melting furnace 20, such as the burner of FIG. 2, may include a feed inlet structure 10. The feed inlet structure 10 may be configured to receive the feed material within the burner 4. According to an embodiment, the burner 4 may further include a feed material discharge line 5. According to an embodiment, the feed material discharge line 5 may be radially defined by a feed material discharge line wall 6. According to an embodiment, the feed inlet structure 10 may be configured to guide the feed material to the feed material discharge line 5.

[0012] According to an embodiment, the burner may further comprise a feed distributor 7 in the feed discharge line 5 and an annular gas line 8 surrounding the feed discharge line 5 and radially limited by a wall 9 of the annular reaction gas line 8. Gas may be supplied to the gas line 8 via a separate line (not shown) connected to the upper region of the gas line 8. As will be clear to a person skilled in the art, the burner 4 of the suspension melting furnace 20 may further comprise other structural components not described in this application.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the burner 4 may consist of a concentrate burner or a matte burner.

[0014] Figures 3a, 3b and 3c show diagrammatically three different embodiments of the feed inlet structure 10 seen in the direction AA of Figure 2. Figures 4a, 4b and 4c show diagrammatically three embodiments of the feed inlet structure seen from the side in cross-section. Figures 6a, 6b and 6c show diagrammatically details of two embodiments of the feed distributor and Figures 7a and 7b show diagrammatically the feed distributor according to two different embodiments seen in perspective view.

[0015] The feed inlet structure 10, for example, the feed inlet structure of any one of Figures 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b and 4c, may be suitable for guiding a feed material in the suspension melting furnace 20. More specifically, the feed inlet structure 10 is suitable for supplying a feed material for use in a burner of the suspension melting furnace 20. According to one embodiment, the feed inlet structure 10, for example, the feed inlet structure of Figures 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b or 4c, may be used to guide the feed material to the feed material discharge line 5.

[0016] The feed inlet structure 10 of a burner 4 for use in a suspension melting furnace 20, such as the feed inlet structure 10 of Figures 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b or 4c, comprises at least one side wall 11, a bottom 12 and a top 13. The bottom 12 and the top 13 may be provided at opposite ends of the at least one side wall 11. In other words, the at least one side wall 11 may comprise one or more walls of the feed inlet structure 10 provided between the top 13 and the bottom 12 of the feed inlet structure 10. The feed inlet structure 10 may comprise one or more separate structural components.

[0017] The feed inlet structure 10 further includes an inlet space 14 defined within the feed inlet structure 10. According to one embodiment, the inlet space 14 is defined by at least one sidewall 11, a bottom 12, and a top 13. According to one embodiment, the bottom 12 and / or the top 13 may include at least one opening towards other structural components of the burner 4.

[0018] In some embodiments, the feed inlet structure 10 may be circular or elliptical in cross section at at least one point along the feed inlet structure 10. In such embodiments, the feed inlet structure 10 may include one sidewall 11 or two or more sidewalls 11.

[0019] In some embodiments, the feed inlet structure 10 may have a rectangular cross section at at least one point along the feed inlet structure 10. In such embodiments, the at least one side wall 11 may include four side walls 11. The four side walls 11 may consist of two pairs of side walls 11, each pair of side walls 11 having two side walls 11 spaced apart from each other. Each side wall 11 may be connected to two adjacent side walls 11 at a corner of the feed inlet structure 10. The feed inlet structure 10 according to such an embodiment may further include a bottom portion 12 and a top portion 13 extending between the sides 11 at both ends of the side walls 11, i.e., at the upper and lower ends of the side walls 11, when viewed in the normal use position of the feed inlet structure 10.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the inlet space 14 may be defined within the feed inlet structure 10 by one or more sidewalls 11, a bottom 12, and a top 13. According to an embodiment in which the feed inlet structure 10 includes a rectangular cross-section and the at least one sidewall includes two pairs of sidewalls, the inlet space 14 may be defined by two pairs of sidewalls 11, a bottom 12, and a top 13, as described above.

[0021] In one embodiment, for example according to Figures 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b and 4c, the shape of the cross section, more specifically the horizontal cross section, of the feed inlet structure 10 varies along the vertical direction of the feed inlet structure 10.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the feed inlet structure 10 may include a cross-section, more specifically a horizontal cross-section, of a shape different from a circular, elliptical or rectangular shape at at least one point along the vertical direction of the feed inlet structure 10.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the feed inlet structure 10 may include a vertical section 34 extending vertically in the position of use of the feed inlet structure 10 and the burner 4, and a protrusion 40 protruding from the vertical section 34. Both the vertical section 34 and the protrusion 40 are preferably formed as hollow, tubular, pipe-like or channel-like structures and include one or more side walls 11 that define the interior space of each of the structures. The vertical section 34 and / or the protrusion may in each case include a circular, elliptical and / or rectangular cross section and / or a cross section of a shape different from a circular, elliptical or rectangular shape at at least one point along the vertical section 34 and / or the protrusion 40, respectively. According to an embodiment, the feed inlet structure 10 of the burner 4 used in the suspension melting furnace 20, for example the feed inlet structure 10 of Figs. 2, 3a, 3b and 3c, may include a rectangular vertical cross section at at least one point along the protrusion 40 and an elliptical, preferably circular, horizontal cross section at at least one point along the vertical section 34. According to one embodiment, the vertical portion 34 may include a circular horizontal cross-section at least at the bottom portion 12 where the feed inlet structure 10 connects to the feed discharge line 5 .

[0024] According to one embodiment, the vertical portion 34 and the protruding portion 40 may be coupled together such that the interior spaces of the vertical portion 34 and the protruding portion 40 are connected to each other. The vertical portion 34 and / or the protruding portion 40 may consist of one or several structural parts. According to one embodiment, the protruding portion 40 may be coupled to and / or comprise a portion of a supply pipe or a conveyor.

[0025] Thus, the sidewall 11 may extend in any direction, even horizontally or with a horizontal component, in the various embodiments and various parts, portions and components of the feed inlet structure 10 .

[0026] According to one embodiment, the inlet space 14 may include the interior space of the protruding portion 40. According to one embodiment, the inlet space 14 may include the interior space of both the protruding portion 40 and the vertical portion 34.

[0027] The feed inlet structure 10 further includes an inlet opening 15 in at least one side wall 11. According to one embodiment, the inlet opening 15 is located at an end of the protruding portion 40 facing away from the vertical portion 34. According to one embodiment, the inlet opening 15 may be configured to connect the inlet space 14 to a feed pipe or conveyor, or part of such, that feeds the feed material into the feed inlet structure 10.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the inlet bottom 39 may be provided in the feed inlet structure 10 adjacent a lower edge of the feed inlet opening 15. According to one embodiment, the feed inlet bottom 39 may be provided adjacent the inlet opening 15 in the sidewall 11 in which the inlet opening 15 is provided.

[0029] According to one embodiment, a portion of a pair of side walls 11, a portion of the top 13, and the feed inlet bottom 39 may form the protrusion 40 of the feed inlet structure 10. According to such an embodiment, the inlet opening 15 would be defined by the pair of side walls 11, the feed inlet bottom 39, and the inlet edge of the top 13. According to another embodiment, the protrusion 40 of the feed inlet structure 10 may be formed by one side wall 11, such as a side wall 11 having a cross-sectional shape of a partial circle, and the feed inlet bottom 39. Thus, the side wall 11 may also form a portion of the top 13, more specifically, a portion of the top 13 that forms the upper end of the protrusion 40. According to such an embodiment, the inlet opening 15 would be defined by the inlet edge of the side wall 11 and the feed inlet bottom 39. The inlet edges of the side walls 11, the feed inlet bottom 39 and the top 13 refer to the edges facing towards the inlet opening 15, in other words the edges towards the front end of the feed inlet structure.

[0030] According to an embodiment, the inlet space 14 may refer to the interior space of only the protrusion 40, rather than the entire internal volume of the feed inlet structure 10. According to an embodiment, the inlet space 14 may refer to the space defined by the pair of side walls 11 on the sides of the inlet opening 15, the feed inlet bottom 39 and the top 13 of the feed inlet structure 10, and an imaginary plane at the inlet opening 15, the distal end opening 35 connecting the protrusion 40 to the vertical portion 34 of the feed inlet structure 10. In such an embodiment, the inlet opening 15 and the distal end opening 35 may be defined at both ends of the inlet space 14, respectively, by the edges of the side walls 11, the feed inlet bottom 39 and the top 13 directed to each end. These ends may be referred to as the front end and the rear end in the intended direction of the feed material flow, the front end being the first end in the intended direction of the feed material flow, and the rear end being the second end in the intended direction of the feed material flow. In other words, the feed inlet structure 10 may be configured to receive the feed material at a first end and discharge the feed material into the vertical portion 34 at a second end of the feed inlet structure 10 .

[0031] The feed inlet structure 10, e.g. the feed inlet structure of Fig. 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b or 4c, further comprises a feed distributor 16 at least partially arranged in the inlet space 14. The feed distributor 16 may be arranged to separate material having a particle size larger than the maximum particle size of the standard feed from the standard feed. By the feed distributor 16 being arranged at least partially in the inlet space 14, it is meant that at least one part of the feed distributor 16 is located in the inlet space 14. Parts or parts of the feed distributor 16 can therefore extend beyond the feed inlet space 14. According to one embodiment, the feed distributor 16, in other words the entire feed distributor 16, is arranged in the inlet space 14.

[0032] Thus, according to one embodiment, the feed inlet structure 10 may further comprise a vertical portion 34. The vertical portion 34 may have a vertical tubular conduit. The feed inlet structure 10 may further comprise a protruding portion 40 defined by a portion of the pair of side walls 11, a portion of the top portion 13 and a feed inlet bottom 39. The tubular conduit of the vertical portion 34 may be connected to the protruding portion 40 via a distal end opening 35. According to one embodiment, the vertical portion 34 may further be connected to a feed material discharge conduit 5 at a lower end of the vertical portion 34.

[0033] For example, the standard feed material for the suspension melting furnace 20 typically comprises fine solids. According to one embodiment, the particle size of the standard feed material may be 2 mm or less. However, the feed material may also comprise larger target materials in addition to the standard feed material. These larger target materials include, for example, agglomerated dust clumps, large residues, large chunks of electronic scrap, bags, plastic items, rods, gloves, tools, and / or the like. According to one embodiment, for example, where such target materials include spherical or globular target materials such as dust clumps and / or large residues, at least one dimension of the target material, such as the maximum diameter of the target material, may be, for example, in the range of 50-200 mm, in the range of 70-200 mm, or in the range of 90-250 mm. According to an embodiment, for example, where the target material includes more irregularly shaped target material such as electronic scrap, bags, plastic items, rods, gloves and / or tools, at least one dimension of the target material, such as the longest measured dimension of the target material, may be in the range of 50-500 mm, in the range of 70-500 mm, or in the range of 90-500 mm. Thus, the burner feed material may include standard feed material and target material. Uneven material feed to the burner 4 may lead to uneven suspension causing melting reactions and residual oxygen in the gas lines. These may lead to increased slag losses, for example of copper or nickel, and increased weak acid formation due to excess oxygen. Also, increased proportion of over-oxidized particles may lead to increased dust formation.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the feed inlet structure 10 can receive the feed material through the inlet opening 15, for example from a feed tube or conveyor (not shown). According to one embodiment, the feed tube or conveyor can be provided at a downward angle in the range of 4-10 degrees towards the feed inlet structure 10. The feed material has an initial velocity when received within the feed inlet structure 10. As the feed material enters the feed inlet structure 10, the initial velocity and gravity affect the trajectory of the feed material, which guides the feed material inwardly and downwardly within the feed inlet structure 10. One objective of the feed distributor 16, feed inlet structure 10 and method disclosed herein is to cause the trajectories of the standard feed material and the target material to deviate from each other by the first face portion 18, more specifically the first surface 19, of the feed distributor 16.

[0035] The feed distributor 16 comprises at least one divider plate 17. Figures 5a and 5b show two embodiments of the divider plate 17 in schematic side view, partially in perspective. The divider plate 17 in Figures 5a and 5b is shown in a state illustrating the state of the divider plate 17 in a standard use position of the feed inlet structure 10. A divider plate 17, such as the divider plate in Figures 5a or 5b, includes a first side 18 having a first surface 19. The first side 18 is configured to have a horizontal component 21, an inlet end 22 directed towards the inlet opening 15, and a distal end 23 at an end opposite the inlet end 22. More specifically, the first side 18 may include the horizontal component 21 in the use position of the feed inlet structure 10. This allows the first surface 19 of each divider plate 17 to be configured to deviate the trajectory of at least some of the target material 27 from the trajectory of the standard feed material 28 within the feed inlet structure 10 when feed material, including standard feed material and target material, is fed into the feed inlet structure, as best seen in Figures 4a, 4b, and 4c. As shown in Figure 5b, the deflection angle 32 may be oriented downward from horizontal, as in the embodiment of Figures 4b and 5b, or upward, as in the embodiment of Figure 5c. The concepts of downward and upward are explained in more detail in connection with other embodiments herein.

[0036] In this specification and the accompanying drawings and claims, a use position, such as the use position of the feed inlet structure 10, refers to a standard position defined for a structure such as the feed inlet structure 10 during production use.

[0037] In this specification and the accompanying claims and drawings, the term vertical refers to the direction of acceleration due to the gravity vector, and the term horizontal refers to the direction perpendicular to the vertical.

[0038] In this specification and the accompanying claims and drawings, the first surface 18 configured to have a horizontal component 21 may refer to the first surface 18 extending in the direction in which the feed materials, including the target material and the standard feed material, flow. In this specification and the accompanying claims and drawings, the first surface 18 configured to have a horizontal component 21 may also refer to the first surface 18 extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the inlet opening 15. In other words, the first surface 18 may be configured to extend from the inlet opening 15 toward the rear end of the inlet structure 10.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the first surface portion 18 extends at the distal end 23 into the vertical portion 34 up to, adjacent to, or through the distal end opening 35 .

[0040] According to one embodiment, the feed inlet structure 10 may include a bend in at least one side wall 11 facing the inlet opening 15 at the distal end opening 35, and the protrusion 40 connects to the vertical part 34 of the feed inlet structure 10. In other words, at least one side wall 11, more particularly at least one side wall 11 adjacent to the lower edge of the inlet opening 15, has a bend at the point where the protrusion 40 connects to the vertical part 34, which is located at the distal end opening 35, as in the embodiment of Figures 2, 4a, 4b and 4c. According to one embodiment, at least one of the divider plates 17, and preferably each of the divider plates 17, is configured to extend up to, close to or beyond the distal end opening 35 to the inside of the vertical part 34, the distal end opening 35 being defined at the bend where the protrusion 40 connects to the vertical part 34. One or more dividing plates extending to the vicinity of the distal end opening 35 means that the distance between the distal end 23 of the first surface portion 18 and the distal end opening 35 is 100 mm or less in the direction toward the entrance opening 15. In other words, the distal end 23 of at least one dividing plate 17 may be provided inside the vertical portion 34 within a region extending from a point 100 mm away from the distal end opening 35 toward the entrance opening 15.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the first surface 19 of each divider plate 17 may be provided in an inclined direction relative to the feed inlet bottom 39 of the feed inlet structure 10 in embodiments including the feed inlet bottom 39. In other words, the direction extending from the inlet end 22 of the first surface 18 to the distal end 23 of the first surface 18 is provided at an angle relative to the direction extending from the inlet end 22 of the feed inlet bottom 39 towards the opposite end of the feed inlet bottom 39. Thus, the first surface 19, the first surface 18 and the feed inlet bottom 39 may or may not be formed as straight shapes, since the angled directions relative to each other are defined by their termination points. However, if the first surface 18 and / or the feed inlet bottom 39 have one or more protrusions at either end of the first surface 18 and / or the feed inlet bottom 39, then those protrusions may be excluded from this definition and the angled directions relative to each other may be defined by the points closest to their respective ends and adjacent to such protrusions.

[0042] According to one embodiment, each divider plate 17 may further include a second face 24 having a second surface 25. The second face 24 may be connected to the inlet end 22 of the first face 18, and the second face 24 may be disposed at an angle relative to the first face 18. According to one embodiment, the second surface 25 may be configured to match the shape of the feed inlet bottom 39 of the feed inlet structure 10. Similar to that described above with respect to protrusions when defining the angle between the first face 18 and the second face 24, such protrusions may be excluded from the definition.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the first surface 19 of each dividing plate 17 may be configured to receive at least some of the target material or a portion of the target material contained in the inlet space 14 through the inlet opening 15 and guide it into the interior of the feed inlet structure 10 in the direction of the first surface 18 towards a distal end 23 of the first surface 18.

[0044] According to an embodiment, the feed distributor 16 may comprise at least one mounting member 26 for mounting the feed distributor 16 inside the feed inlet structure 10. According to an embodiment, the mounting member 26 may comprise at least one of a mounting hole, a mounting sleeve, a mounting flange and a bolt. The mounting hole may be threaded or not. The feed inlet structure 10 may or may not comprise further mounting members such as mounting holes, mounting sleeves and / or mounting flanges, each configured to be aligned with the corresponding mounting member 26 of the feed distributor 16. According to an embodiment, the feed distributor 16 may not comprise a mounting member 26. In such an embodiment, the feed inlet structure 10 may comprise a mounting member such as a flange or a stopper that matches the shape of at least one of the feed distributor 16 and is configured to receive and hold the feed distributor 16 in its intended position relative to the feed inlet structure 10. In such an embodiment, the feed distributor 16 may be configured to slide into its position within the feed inlet structure 10, for example.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the feed distributor 16 may comprise at least two divider plates 17. The divider plates 17 and the first surfaces 19 of the divider plates 17 may be spaced apart from each other such that the first surfaces 19 of the at least two divider plates 17 are configured to deviate the trajectory of the target material 27 from the trajectory of the normal feed material 28 inside the feed inlet structure 10 when the feed material is fed into the feed inlet structure 10. According to one embodiment, the feed distributor 16 may comprise just two or three divider plates 17.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the distance 29 between the first surfaces 19 of the dividers 17 may be fixed. Similarly, the distance 30 between the side walls 11 of the feed inlet structure 10, in particular the nearest side wall 11 parallel or substantially parallel to the dividers 17, and the nearest divider plate 17 may be fixed.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the distance 29 between the first surfaces 19 of the divider plates 17 may be adjustable. According to one embodiment, the position of at least one of the divider plates 17 may be configured to be adjustable transversely to the direction of the first face 18, thereby making the distance 29 between the first surfaces 19 of the divider plates 17 adjustable.

[0048] According to one embodiment, at least one divider plate 17 may be articulated relative to the feed inlet bottom 39 of the feed inlet structure 10. Such a divider plate 17 may be articulated directly to the feed inlet bottom 39 of the feed inlet structure 10 or a structure attached thereto, or indirectly via another structure of the feed distributor 16, such as the bottom plate 31 of the feed distributor 16, or the feed inlet structure 10. In such an embodiment, the distance 29 between the first surfaces 19 of adjacent divider plates 17 and / or the distance 30 between the side walls 11 of the feed inlet structure 10, in particular the nearest side wall 11 parallel or substantially parallel to the divider plate 17, and the nearest divider plate 17 thereto, may be configured to be adjustable by pivoting one or more divider plates 17 about an axis. Such pivoting or articulation and adjustment of the distances 29, 30 are shown in dashed lines in FIG. 6a.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the distance 29 between the dividers 17, i.e. the fixed or adjusted distance, is in the range of 50-300 mm. According to one embodiment, the distance 30 between the side wall 11 and the divider 17 closest to the face, i.e. the fixed or adjusted distance, is in the range of 50-300 mm. According to one embodiment, the distance 29 and / or the distance 30 is in the range of 70-250 mm. According to a further embodiment, the distance 29 and / or the distance 30 is in the range of 90-125 mm. It is clear to the skilled person that the distances 29, 30 should be selected taking into account the grain size of the standard feed material and the dimensions of the target material to be deflected.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the first surface 18 of each divider plate 17 may be disposed in a horizontal direction from the inlet end toward the distal end in the use position of the feed inlet structure, as shown in Figures 4a and 5a, or inclined from the horizontal by up to 15 degrees downward as shown in Figures 4b and 5b, or up to 10 degrees upward as shown in Figure 4c. According to one embodiment, the first surface 18 of each divider plate 17 may be disposed in a horizontal direction from the inlet end toward the distal end in the use position of the feed inlet structure, or inclined from the horizontal by up to 10 degrees downward or up to 7 degrees upward. In some embodiments, the first surface 18 of each divider plate 17 may be disposed in a direction that deviates more than 15 degrees downward or more than 10 degrees upward, as permitted by the type and initial velocity of the feed material, the overall configuration of the feed inlet structure 10 and burner 4, and / or the like. By first surface 18 being inclined downwardly from horizontal, it is meant that distal end 23, or a point on first surface 18 forward of and closest to distal end 23, any vertical protrusion that may be on first surface 18, is at a lower elevation than inlet end 22, or a point on first surface 18 rearward of and closest to inlet end 22, any vertical protrusion that may be on first surface 18. Deflection angle 32 is defined by a line segment drawn between these points and / or ends. While a downward deflection will be preferred in many embodiments, for example in embodiments where volume and / or delivery rate is above average, an upward deflection may be preferred.

[0051] According to one embodiment, at least one of the divider plates 17 may include a protrusion 33 that projects upwardly from the first surface 19 in the use position of the feed inlet structure 10, where the protrusion 33 is provided at the distal end 23 of the first face portion 18. Such a protrusion 33 is one example of a protrusion referred to herein, i.e. a vertical protrusion.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the feed distributor 16 may further comprise a bottom plate 31 configured to extend between the dividing plates 17. According to one embodiment, the bottom plate 31 may be configured to be attached to the feed inlet bottom 39 of the feed inlet structure 10. According to one embodiment, the bottom plate 31 is oriented parallel to the feed inlet bottom 39 of the feed inlet structure 10. By the bottom plate 31 and the feed inlet bottom 39 being parallel, it is meant that the planes defined by the bottom plate 31 and the feed inlet bottom 39 are parallel to each other or inclined to each other by a maximum angle of 15 degrees.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the feed inlet bottom 39 or bottom plate 31 may include segments 36 in a direction parallel to the direction of the divider plate 17. In other words, the feed inlet bottom 39 or bottom plate 31 may include segments 36 each extending from the inlet opening 15 towards the distal end 23 and may include a vertical portion 34. According to one embodiment, the divider plate 17 may be provided where two adjacent segments 36 join. According to one embodiment, one or more of the segments 36 may be provided at a different angle relative to at least one other segment 36. According to one embodiment, at least one segment 36 provided between two other segments may have a deeper downward angle towards the distal end opening 35 than a segment 36 closer or adjacent to the side wall 11, in particular the closest side wall 11 parallel or substantially parallel to the divider plate 17.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the feed inlet bottom 39 and / or bottom plate 31 may be angled 37 at 25 degrees or more with respect to the horizontal in the use position of the feed inlet structure 10. According to one embodiment, particularly one in which the feed inlet bottom 39 or bottom plate includes segments 36, the segments 36 adjacent to the side walls 11, particularly the closest side walls 11 parallel or substantially parallel to the dividing plate 17, may be angled 37 at 25 degrees or more with respect to the horizontal in the use position of the feed inlet structure 10, with at least one segment 36 between the segments adjacent to a side wall 11 being angled at an angle 37 greater than the angle 37 of the segment adjacent to the side wall 11, for example at an angle of 45 degrees or more.

[0055] According to one embodiment, each of the divider plates 17 may include a third surface 38 extending between the second surface 24 and the distal end 23 of the first surface 18, or between the second surface 24 and the protrusion 33. According to one embodiment, the first surface 19, the second surface 24 and the third surface 38 may form a triangular shape. Thus, in an embodiment including a protrusion, such as the protrusion 33, the protrusion would protrude from such a triangular shape. According to one embodiment, the third surface 38 will have a vertical component in the use position of the feed inlet structure 10.

[0056] According to an embodiment, the feed inlet structure 10 may further comprise a hatch (not shown) serving to access material in the inlet space 14. In particular, the hatch may be used to access and remove material that is not intended to be fed to the burner 4. According to an embodiment, the hatch may be provided on the top 13 and / or on the side walls 11 of the feed inlet structure 10. Such a hatch may be provided, for example, on the end of the top 13 towards the inlet opening 15, on the end of the top 13 away from the inlet opening 15, on one of the side walls 11 extending from the inlet opening 15 towards the opposite end of the feed inlet structure 10, i.e. towards the rear end of the feed inlet structure opposite to the front end towards the inlet opening 15, and / or on the side wall 11 at the rear end of the feed inlet structure 10. Such other types of hatches for maintenance purposes are known in the art and will not be disclosed in more detail here.

[0057] According to an embodiment, the feed inlet structure 10 may include two inlet openings 15, as in the embodiment of FIG. 4b, on either side of the feed inlet structure 10. According to an embodiment, one feed distributor 16 may be provided in communication with each inlet opening 15. In other words, a feed distributor 16 according to one embodiment or a combination of embodiments may be provided adjacent each inlet opening 15. According to an embodiment, a protrusion including a top 13, a feed inlet bottom 39 and a pair of side walls 11 may be provided in association with each inlet opening 15 to define an inlet space 14 adjacent each inlet opening 15 in a similar manner to the embodiment including a single inlet opening 15. In such an embodiment, one feed distributor 16 may be provided in each inlet space 14 of the feed inlet structure 10, or within at least one of the inlet spaces 14. According to a further refinement, each of the inlet spaces 14 may be connected to a common vertical portion 34 via a separate distal end opening 35. According to another embodiment, the entire interior of the feed inlet structure 10 defined by at least one sidewall 11, for example two pairs of sidewalls 11, the top 13 and the bottom 12, may form an inlet space 14 in a manner similar to some other embodiments including a single inlet opening 15 described above. Also, in such an embodiment, one feed distributor 16 may be provided in each of the inlet spaces 14 of the feed inlet structure 10, or in at least one of the inlet spaces 14, and / or each inlet space 14 may be connected to the common vertical portion 34 via a separate distal end opening 35.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the burner 4 may comprise a feed distributor 16 and / or a feed inlet structure 10 according to any embodiment or combination of embodiments disclosed herein and in the accompanying drawings and claims. According to one embodiment, the burner 4 comprises a burner for use in a suspension smelting furnace, according to one embodiment, the burner 4 may comprise a concentrate burner or a matte burner.

[0059] According to an embodiment, the burner 4 may have two inlet spaces 14 arranged opposite each other, with the inlet openings 15 of the inlet spaces 14 facing away from each other and the distal ends 23 of the first faces 18 facing each other. Depending on the embodiment, the inlet spaces 14 may form separate feed inlet structures 10 or may form part of the same feed inlet structure. The feed inlet structure 10 may or may not include a vertical portion 34. According to an embodiment, the feed material is arranged to be guided from the inlet spaces 14 into a shared path ahead after passing through one of the feed distributors 16 in each feed. According to an embodiment, the shared path may include a vertical portion 34. The vertical portion 34 may form part of the feed inlet structure 10 or may be provided as a separate structural part.

[0060] FIG. 8 shows a method of feeding material to a burner for a suspension melting furnace. A burner 4, for example a burner for a suspension melting furnace, may be equipped with a feed inlet structure according to an embodiment or combination of embodiments disclosed in this specification and the accompanying drawings and claims. A method for feeding material to such a burner, for example according to FIG. 8, may include receiving 82 feed material, including standard feed material and target material, on the area of ​​a feed distributor 16 including at least one first side 18 on at least one dividing plate 17. The direction of flow of the feed material may include a component from the inlet end 22 of the first side 18 towards the distal end 23 of the first side 18. In other words, the direction of flow of the feed material may include a horizontal component.

[0061] The method may further include separating 84 the target material from the standard feed by the feed distributor 16, the target material having a particle size larger than the maximum particle size of the standard feed. The separation of the target material may be performed by the first surface 19 deflecting the trajectory 27 of the at least one target material from the trajectory 28 of the standard feed within the feed inlet structure 10, more particularly within the inlet space 14. More specifically, the trajectory 27 of the target material may be deflected by the first surface 19 of the at least one divider plate 17 affecting the at least one target material. The effect may include the target material being brought into contact with the first surface 19 in the middle of its trajectory and being stopped by the first surface 19 or even being guided towards the distal end 23 of the first face 18. The first surface 19 may thereby prevent the target material from continuing on its trajectory 27 defined by the initial velocity of the target material and gravity, or deflecting the target material along the first surface 19 towards the distal end 23. At the same time, the trajectory 28 of the standard feed material may not be affected or may only be affected slightly by the first surface 19 due to the smaller particle size of the standard feed material. While the particle size of the standard feed material may vary depending on the embodiment, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the size of the material that will cause the trajectory 27 to deviate will be determined by the selected distance 29 between the first surfaces 19 of adjacent divider plates 17 and / or the distance 30 between the side wall 11 of the feed inlet structure 10 and the divider plate 17 closest to it.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the method may further include receiving, on a first surface 19 of the dividing plate 17, at least some of the target material or a portion of the target material passing through the inlet opening and accommodated in the inlet space, and guiding the target material inside the feed inlet structure in the direction of the first face portion from the inlet opening toward the distal end of the first side.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the method further includes disposing adjacent dividing plates 17 at a distance from each other, such that a minimum distance 29 between the first surfaces 19 of adjacent dividing plates 17 is shorter than at least one dimension, e.g., at least the maximum dimension, of the smallest target material having a trajectory 27 determined to deviate from the trajectory 28 of the standard supply material.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the method further includes adjusting the position of at least one divider plate 17 transverse to the feed flow direction to affect the size range of the target material for which the trajectory 27 deviates from the normal feed trajectory 28. Adjusting the position of at least one divider plate 17 may include adjusting the distance 29 between the first surfaces 19 of adjacent divider plates 17 and / or the distance 30 between the divider plate 17 and a side wall 11 of the feed inlet structure 10, in particular the closest side wall 11 parallel or substantially parallel to the divider plate 17. Adjusting the position of at least one divider plate 17 may include pivoting one or more divider plates 17 about an axis. Adjusting the position of at least one divider plate 17 may also affect how evenly the normal feed material is fed into the feed discharge line 5, and may be affected by changes in conditions, such as wear, of the feed inlet structure 10 and / or other feed equipment.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the horizontal component of the first face 17 of the dividing plate 17 is configured to extend in the direction in which the feed material flows.

Claims

1. At least one sidewall; a bottom portion and a top portion provided at opposite ends of the at least one side wall; an inlet space defined within the feed inlet structure; and an inlet opening in at least one side wall, the inlet structure further comprising: a feed distributor disposed at least partially within the inlet space; The feed distributor is configured to separate a target material from a standard feed, the target material having a particle size greater than a maximum particle size of the standard feed; the feed distributor comprises at least one divider plate including a first face having a first surface, the first face configured to have a horizontal component, an inlet end facing toward the inlet opening, and a distal end at an end opposite the inlet end; a first surface of each dividing plate configured to deflect a trajectory of at least a portion of the target material from a trajectory of the standard feed material within the feed inlet structure when a feed material containing the standard feed material and the target material is fed into the feed inlet structure.

2. 2. The feed inlet structure of claim 1, wherein each of the divider plates has a first surface adjacent a lower edge of the feed inlet opening in an inclined direction relative to a feed inlet bottom of the feed inlet structure.

3. 3. The feed inlet structure of claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the dividing plates further comprises: A feed inlet structure including a second face having a second surface, the second face coupled to the inlet end of the first face and oriented at an angle relative to the first face.

4. 4. The feed inlet structure of claim 3, wherein the second surface is configured to match a shape of a feed inlet bottom of the feed inlet structure.

5. 5. The feed inlet structure according to claim 1, wherein the first surface of each of the dividing plates is configured to receive at least some of the target material or portions of the target material passing through the inlet opening and accommodated in the inlet space and to guide them inside the feed inlet structure in the direction of the first surface toward a distal end of the first surface.

6. 6. The feed inlet structure of claim 1, wherein the feed distributor comprises at least one mounting member for mounting the feed distributor within the feed inlet structure.

7. 7. The feed inlet structure of claim 1, wherein the feed distributor comprises at least two divider plates; the divider plate and the first surface of the divider plate are spaced apart from one another; A feed inlet structure whereby the first surfaces of the at least two dividing plates are configured such that when a feed material is supplied to the feed inlet structure, the trajectory of the target material deviates from the trajectory of the standard feed material within the feed inlet structure.

8. 8. The feed inlet structure of claim 7, wherein the feed distributor comprises just two or three divider plates.

9. 9. A feed inlet structure as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the position of at least one of the dividing plates is adapted to be adjustable in a direction transverse to the direction of the first surface portions, thereby making the distance between the first surfaces of the dividing plates adjustable.

10. 10. The feed inlet structure of claim 7, wherein the distance between the dividing plates is in the range of 50 to 300 mm.

11. 11. A feed inlet structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first surface portion of each dividing plate is arranged horizontally or offset up to 15° downward or up to 10° upward from the horizontal in a direction from the inlet end to the distal end in a position of use of the feed inlet structure.

12. 12. A feed inlet structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein at least one of the dividing plates includes a protrusion projecting upwardly from a first surface in a use position of the feed inlet structure, the protrusion being provided at the distal end of the first face portion.

13. 13. The feed inlet structure of claim 1, wherein the feed distributor further comprises a bottom plate extending between the dividing plates, the bottom plate being attached to the feed inlet bottom of the feed inlet structure such that the bottom plate is oriented parallel to the feed inlet bottom of the feed inlet structure.

14. 14. The feed inlet structure of claim 1, wherein each of the dividers has a third surface extending between the second surface and the distal end of the first surface or between the second surface and the protrusion, and the first surface, the second surface and the third surface form a triangle.

15. 15. The feed inlet structure according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising a hatch for accessing material within the inlet space.

16. 16. The feed inlet structure of claim 1, wherein the feed inlet structure has a rectangular cross-section at at least one point along the feed inlet structure, and the at least one side wall includes four side walls consisting of two pairs of side walls, each pair of side walls consisting of two side walls spaced apart from one another.

17. 17. The feed inlet structure of any of claims 1 to 16, wherein the inlet space is defined by the at least one sidewall, the bottom and the top.

18. 18. The feed inlet structure of claim 1, The feed inlet structure includes a vertical portion and a protruding portion, and at least one of the dividing plates is configured to extend into, near, or beyond a distal end opening defined by a bend where the protruding portion connects to the vertical portion.

19. 19. The feed inlet structure according to any one of claims 1 to 18, comprising two inlet openings at opposite ends of the feed inlet structure, and one feed distributor connected to each of the inlet openings.

20. A burner for use in a suspension melting furnace, the burner comprising a feed inlet arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

21. 21. The burner according to claim 20, comprising two inlet spaces arranged opposite each other, the inlet openings of the inlet spaces being directed away from each other and the distal ends of the first faces being opposed, and the feed material is configured such that in each feed, after passing through one of the shared material distributors, the feed material is guided to a destination shared passage.

22. A method of supplying material to a burner for use in a suspension melting furnace, the burner being provided with a feed inlet structure according to any one of claims 1 to 19, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a feed material including a standard feed material and a target material on a section of the feed distributor having at least one first surface on at least one dividing plate, the direction of flow of the feed material including a component from the inlet end of the first surface toward the distal end of the first surface; A method in which the feed distributor separates target material having a particle size larger than a maximum particle size of the standard feed material from a standard feed material by deflecting the trajectory of at least one target material from the trajectory of the standard feed material within the feed inlet structure using a first surface.

23. 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising: receiving, on a first surface of the dividing plate, at least some of the target material or a portion of the target material received in the inlet space through the inlet opening; A method of directing the material within the inlet structure toward a first surface from the inlet opening toward the distal end of the first surface.

24. 24. The method of claim 22 or 23, further comprising: A method for providing adjacent dividers at a mutual distance such that the shortest distance between the first surfaces of adjacent dividers is less than at least one dimension of the smallest target material whose trajectory is determined to deviate from the trajectory of the standard supply material.

25. 25. The method of any one of claims 22 to 24, further comprising: The method includes adjusting the position of at least one divider plate transverse to the direction of flow of the feed material to affect a size range of the target material to cause the target material to deviate from the trajectory of the standard feed material.

26. 26. The method of any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein the horizontal component of the first face of the divider plate extends in a direction in which the feed material flows.

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