Container, fastener, and method for manufacturing a container

Abstract

In a container with a metal exterior and a fixed-shape refractory lining, the convenience during manufacturing and dismantling of the container is improved compared to conventional technology. [Solution] The container comprises a metal outer casing 2 having an opening, a plurality of shaped refractories 3 arranged inside the outer casing 2 to define the internal space, an amorphous refractory 4 arranged between the outer casing 2 and the shaped refractory 3, and a fastener 5 for fixing the shaped refractory 3 to the amorphous refractory 4. The shaped refractory 3 has a contact surface that comes into contact with other adjacent shaped refractory 3 and an engaging portion that protrudes from the contact surface and engages with the fastener 5. There is a gap between the shaped refractory 3 and other adjacent shaped refractory 3 to accommodate the fastener 5, and the fastener 5 engages with the engaging portion at one end and is fixed to the amorphous refractory 4 at the other end.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container, a fixture, and a method for manufacturing a container.

Background Art

[0002] A container having a shaped refractory lining inside a metal exterior is used, for example, as a converter. In this type of container, a structure in which an unfired refractory is filled between the exterior and the shaped refractory has been conventionally adopted.

[0003] When the container tilts or is subjected to impact, there is a risk that the shaped refractory may fall off, and various means have been proposed to prevent this. Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-6446 (Patent Document 1) discloses an invention in which insertion holes are provided in the furnace mouth brick blocks, and the furnace mouth brick blocks are fixed to the furnace body iron skin by metal fittings inserted into the insertion holes. In the invention described in Patent Document 1, the metal fittings can be welded to the iron skin. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-199152 (Patent Document 2) discloses an invention in which bricks are fixed by metal fittings that are inserted into the bricks and welded to the iron skin.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Methods involving welding metal parts to prevent the detachment of pre-formed refractories have poor productivity because welding work is required during the manufacturing of the container, and the welded parts can sometimes hinder dismantling. Furthermore, methods requiring the insertion of metal parts into pre-formed refractories can result in poor manufacturing efficiency. Therefore, the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 had room for improvement in terms of convenience during the manufacturing and dismantling of containers.

[0006] Therefore, in containers with a metal exterior and a fixed-shape refractory lining, it is desirable to improve the convenience of manufacturing and dismantling the container compared to conventional technology. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The container according to the present invention comprises a metal outer casing having an opening, a plurality of shaped refractory materials disposed inside the outer casing and defining an internal space, an amorphous refractory material disposed between the outer casing and the shaped refractory materials, and a fastener for fixing the shaped refractory materials to the amorphous refractory materials, wherein the shaped refractory materials have a contact surface that comes into contact with other adjacent shaped refractory materials and an engaging portion that protrudes from the contact surface and engages with the fastener, and a gap for accommodating the fastener is provided between the shaped refractory materials and other adjacent shaped refractory materials, and the fastener is characterized in that it engages with the engaging portion at one end and is fixed to the amorphous refractory material at the other end.

[0008] The fixing device according to the present invention comprises a metal outer casing having an opening, a plurality of shaped refractory materials disposed inside the outer casing and defining an internal space, and an amorphous refractory material disposed between the outer casing and the shaped refractory materials, wherein the shaped refractory material has a contact surface that contacts another adjacent shaped refractory material and an engaging portion that protrudes from the contact surface, and in a container having a gap between two adjacent shaped refractory materials, the fixing device is inserted into the gap at one end and engages with the engaging portion, and fixed to the amorphous refractory material at the other end, thereby fixing the shaped refractory material to the amorphous refractory material.

[0009] A method for manufacturing a container according to the present invention comprises a metal outer casing having an opening, a plurality of shaped refractories arranged inside the outer casing to define an internal space, an amorphous refractory material arranged between the outer casing and the shaped refractories, and a fastener for fixing the shaped refractories to the amorphous refractory material, characterized in that the method includes the steps of: arranging the plurality of shaped refractories inside the outer casing; inserting one end of the fastener between two adjacent shaped refractories and arranging the other end of the fastener in the space between the outer casing and the shaped refractories; and arranging the amorphous refractory material in the space.

[0010] In these configurations, the fixed-shape refractory material is fixed to the unfixed-shape refractory material, eliminating the need for welding fasteners to the outer casing. Furthermore, since the fasteners engage at the engaging portion that protrudes from the contact surface of the fixed-shape refractory material, there is no need to provide holes in the fixed-shape refractory material for inserting the fasteners, making the manufacturing of the fixed-shape refractory material easier. Due to these features, convenience during the manufacturing and dismantling of containers can be improved compared to conventional technology.

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the examples of preferred embodiments described below.

[0012] In one embodiment of the container according to the present invention, it is preferable that the engaging portion is provided on a surface extending vertically from the shaped refractory material.

[0013] Standard refractory materials are typically installed inside the outer casing by stacking them from bottom to top. If the engaging parts are provided on the vertically extending surfaces of the standard refractory materials, the fasteners can be installed by inserting them into the gaps between the refractory materials after they have been arranged in their designated positions, thus increasing the efficiency of the fastener installation process.

[0014] In one embodiment of the container according to the present invention, it is preferable that the surface of the engaging portion having an inclination toward the internal space engages with the fastener.

[0015] This configuration allows the fastener to support the engaging portion from below when the container is tilted. Therefore, it can particularly enhance the effect of preventing the refractory material from falling out in situations where preventing detachment is especially important.

[0016] In one embodiment of the container according to the present invention, it is preferable that the fastener is plate-shaped and the gap is at least partially larger than the thickness of the fastener.

[0017] This configuration makes it easy to insert fasteners into the gaps between standard refractory materials.

[0018] In one embodiment of the container according to the present invention, it is preferable that the gap of the engaging portion facing the internal space is 2 mm or more.

[0019] The components that make up the container (outer shell, shaped refractory material, unshaped refractory material, and fasteners) are made of different materials and reach different temperatures when the container is in use. As a result, the fasteners may move and expand in the gaps between the shaped refractory materials, potentially putting a load on them. However, the above configuration ensures sufficient gaps, which act as a buffer, allowing for deformation and movement of the fasteners and reducing the load on them.

[0020] In one embodiment, the container according to the present invention preferably has a fastener having a first bent portion that engages with the engaging portion at one end and a second bent portion that is fixed to the amorphous refractory material at the other end.

[0021] This configuration allows for the manufacture of fasteners using a relatively simple method.

[0022] In one embodiment, the container according to the present invention is preferably a converter.

[0023] This configuration improves convenience during manufacturing and dismantling compared to conventional technology, especially in converters where the need to prevent the detachment of fixed-shape refractories is particularly important due to the tilting mechanism.

[0024] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, which will be described with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] It is a cross-sectional view of a converter according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a plan view of a shaped refractory according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a plan view showing the arrangement of a plurality of shaped refractories, unshaped refractories, fixtures, and iron skins according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] It is an enlarged view of part IV of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a side view of a shaped refractory according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a side view showing the arrangement of a plurality of shaped refractories, unshaped refractories, fixtures, and iron skins according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a plan view of a fixture according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a side view of a fixture according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a plan view of a shaped refractory according to a modified example. [Figure 10] It is a side view of a shaped refractory according to a modified example. [Figure 11] It is a plan view showing the arrangement of a plurality of shaped refractories, unshaped refractories, and fixtures according to a modified example.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] <00001​​​​​​The converter 1 according to this embodiment comprises a steel shell 2 (an example of a metal outer casing), a shaped refractory 3 disposed inside the steel shell 2, an unshaped refractory 4 and perma bricks R disposed between the steel shell 2 and the shaped refractory 3, and a fastener 5 for fixing the shaped refractory 3 to the unshaped refractory 4 (Figures 1 to 9). The fastener 5 is an example of a fastener according to the present invention. In the following description, when referring to the vertical direction of the converter 1 and each component, unless otherwise specified, the vertical direction in the posture shown in Figure 1 is used as the reference.

[0028] The converter 1 has a furnace opening 11 at the top and has a roughly bottomed cylindrical shape that tapers towards the furnace opening 11. Hereafter, the tapered upper part of the converter 1 will be referred to as the constriction section 12. The converter 1 has a nozzle N1 for blowing in oxygen gas and a nozzle N2 for blowing in an inert gas (nitrogen, argon, etc.).

[0029] The iron shell 2 is a component that constitutes the outer casing of the converter 1 and has a shape that corresponds to the external shape of the converter 1. Therefore, the iron shell 2 has an opening 21 that forms the furnace mouth 11. The metal that constitutes the iron shell 2 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, heat-resistant steel (SUH) (for example, one that meets the standard of JIS G 4312:2019), alloy steel (such as chromium-molybdenum alloy steel with high heat resistance), etc. The iron shell 2 is pivotally supported by a tilting device (not shown) so as to be able to tilt around axis X.

[0030] The pre-formed refractory material 3 is a block-shaped refractory material that has been pre-formed and fired. Multiple pre-formed refractory materials 3 are arranged inside the iron shell 2 so as to cover the iron shell 2, and the internal space 13 of the converter 1 is defined by the pre-formed refractory materials 3. At the bottom of the converter 1, multiple pre-formed refractory materials 3 are laid out on the bottom surface of the iron shell 2. On the side of the converter 1, layers of multiple pre-formed refractory materials 3 are stacked in an annular arrangement. In the constricted section 12, two pre-formed refractory materials 3 that are adjacent to each other vertically are positioned such that the upper pre-formed refractory material 3 protrudes more into the internal space 13 than the lower pre-formed refractory material 3. Corresponding to the above structure, the shape of each pre-formed refractory material 3 may differ depending on the location where it is installed.

[0031] The refractory material 3 may be a refractory material commonly used for converters. Examples of such refractory materials include, but are not limited to, magnesia-carbon bricks and magnesia-SiC-carbon bricks. The refractory material 3 preferably contains carbon, and is particularly preferably containing 5% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less of carbon.

[0032] Perma brick R is a shaped refractory material placed between the iron shell 2 and the shaped refractory material 3 in parts other than the constricted section 12. The characteristics of Perma brick R are the same as those of the shaped refractory material 3 in aspects other than shape. However, the materials constituting Perma brick R may be the same as or different from the materials constituting the shaped refractory material 3. Furthermore, the materials constituting Perma brick R may differ depending on the part of the converter 1.

[0033] Figures 2 to 4 show plan views of the shaped refractories 3 arranged in the constricted section 12, and Figures 5 and 6 show side views. Figures 2 and 5 show the shapes of individual shaped refractories 3, while Figures 3 and 6 show the relationship between one shaped refractory 3 and another adjacent shaped refractory 3. Figure 4 is a partially enlarged view of Figure 3. In Figures 2 and 5, the side of the shaped refractory 3 facing the steel shell 2 is positioned on the right, and the side facing the internal space 13 is positioned on the left. Hereafter, the side facing the steel shell 2 will be referred to as the base end side, and the side facing the internal space 13 will be referred to as the tip side. For explanatory purposes, the names of each surface of the shaped refractory 3 will be the base end surface 31, tip surface 32, top surface 33, bottom surface 34, first side surface 35, and second side surface 36 (Figures 2 and 5). Furthermore, the direction connecting the base end surface 31 and the tip end surface 32 will be referred to as the longitudinal direction, the direction connecting the top surface 33 and the bottom surface 34 will be referred to as the vertical direction, and the direction connecting the first side surface 35 and the second side surface 36 will be referred to as the width direction. The first side surface 35 and the second side surface 36 are surfaces that extend in the vertical direction of the standard-shaped refractory material 3.

[0034] In the plan view (Figure 2), the shaped refractory material 3 has a shape in which the width of the tip surface 32 is smaller than the width of the base surface 31. This is so that multiple shaped refractory materials 3 can be arranged in a ring shape (Figure 3). In addition, in the side view (Figure 5), the shaped refractory material 3 has a shape in which the tip surface 32 is inclined toward the internal space 13. This is so that adjacent shaped refractory materials 3 in the constricted section 12 form a substantially continuous surface (Figure 6). Furthermore, in the side view (Figure 5), the shaped refractory material 3 also has an inclination on the base surface 31. The inclination of the base surface 31 is substantially parallel to the inclination of the steel shell 2 in the area where the shaped refractory material 3 is installed.

[0035] Multiple standard-shaped refractories 3 are arranged in a ring shape such that the first side surface 35 of one of two adjacent standard-shaped refractories 3 and the second side surface 36 of the other face each other (Figure 3). The opposing first side surface 35 and second side surface 36 are in contact with each other at the tip end, and face each other with a gap 37 between them at the base end.

[0036] The shaped refractory material 3 has a first side surface 35 which has a contact surface 35a that contacts the second side surface 36 of an adjacent shaped refractory material 3, and a step 35b (an example of an engaging portion) that protrudes from the contact surface 35a. The step 35b is the portion that engages with the fastener 5, and more specifically, the stepped surface 35c extending from the contact surface 35a engages with the first bent portion 51 of the fastener 5. The two corners of the step 35b are chamfered. The stepped surface 35c is also inclined toward the internal space 13. In this embodiment, the inclination of the step 35b and the inclination of the tip surface 32 are approximately parallel.

[0037] The height to which the step 35b protrudes from the contact surface 35a is not particularly limited, but it may be, for example, 10 mm or more and 20 mm or less.

[0038] The longitudinal position of the step 35b is not particularly limited, but for example, it may be at a distance of 50 mm or more and 150 mm or less from the base end face 31. When the position of the step 35b satisfies the above requirements, it is easier to ensure sufficient strength of the step 35b.

[0039] The refractory material 3 has a contact surface 36a on its second side surface 36 that contacts the contact surface 35a of an adjacent refractory material 3, and a step 36b to avoid interference with the step 35b of the other refractory material 3. The two corners of the step 36b are chamfered. Furthermore, the step surface 36c of the step 36b that extends from the contact surface 36a is inclined toward the internal space 13. The risk of the refractory material 3 falling off is particularly large when the converter 1 tilts, but in this embodiment, because the step surface 36c is inclined, when the converter 1 tilts, the fixing device 5 supports the step surface 36c from below, making it easier to prevent the refractory material 3 from falling off. In other words, the inclination of the stepped surface 36c makes it possible to particularly enhance the effect of preventing the refractory material 3 from falling off, especially in positions where the need to prevent the refractory material 3 from falling off is particularly high.

[0040] At the same height, the length of the contact surface 35a is longer than the length of the contact surface 36a. Also, the protruding length of the step 35b relative to the contact surface 35a is smaller than the recess length of the step 36b relative to the contact surface 36a. Due to these dimensional relationships, a gap 37 is created between the step 35b of one refractory material 3 and the step 36b of another adjacent refractory material 3 (Figure 4). When viewed from the first side surface 35 of one refractory material 3, the gap 37 extends in a hook shape towards the tip side and outward in the width direction of the step 35b.

[0041] The shaped refractory material 3 can be manufactured by a known manufacturing method for shaped refractory materials. That is, a mixed material obtained by mixing desired materials in a desired mass ratio is molded into the shape of the shaped refractory material 3 to obtain a pre-molded body, and then the pre-molded body is fired to obtain the shaped refractory material 3. In this case, it is preferable to use a mold having a structure that corresponds to steps 35b, etc., as the mold used to obtain the pre-molded body. However, the manufacturing method of the shaped refractory material 3 is not limited to a method using such a mold.

[0042] The unshaped refractory material 4 is a refractory material that is installed on-site at the converter 1. The unshaped refractory material 4 is placed between the steel shell 2 and the shaped refractory material 3 in the constricted section 12, and is installed by pouring it into the space between the steel shell 2 and the shaped refractory material 3 after the shaped refractory material 3 has been installed inside the steel shell 2.

[0043] The monolithic refractory 4 may be any monolithic refractory commonly used for converters. Examples of such monolithic refractories include, but are not limited to, magnesia castables and high-alumina castables. It is not prohibited to use monolithic refractory 4 with different compositions in different parts of the converter 1.

[0044] The fastener 5 is a component that serves to fix the shaped refractory material 3 to the amorphous refractory material 4. In this embodiment, the fastener 5 is plate-shaped and has a shape in which both ends of a metal plate are bent in opposite directions (Figures 7 and 8). Here, the two bent portions of the fastener 5 are referred to as the first bent portion 51 and the second bent portion 52, respectively, and the remaining portion is referred to as the central portion 53. Figures 7 and 8 are illustrated from viewpoints corresponding to Figures 2 and 5 relating to the shaped refractory material 3, respectively. That is, Figure 7 is a plan view of the fastener 5, and Figure 8 is a side view of the fastener 5. Also, in Figures 7 and 8, the side facing the steel shell 2 is positioned on the right, and the side facing the internal space 13 is positioned on the left.

[0045] The first bent portion 51 is the portion that engages with the step 35b of the shaped refractory material 3. More specifically, the surface 51a located on the inside of the bend of the first bent portion 51 abuts against the step surface 35c of the shaped refractory material 3, supporting the shaped refractory material 3. The size of the angle between the first bent portion 51 and the central portion 53 is not limited as long as the first bent portion 51 engages with the step 35b, but in this embodiment, an example is shown where the angle is 90°. Also, the first bent portion 51, like the step surface 35c, is inclined toward the internal space 13.

[0046] The second bent portion 52 is the part that is fixed to the amorphous refractory material 4. The fixing device 5 is fixed to the amorphous refractory material 4 by embedding the second bent portion 52 in the amorphous refractory material 4, and the fixed refractory material 3 is fixed to the amorphous refractory material 4 by the first bent portion 51 of the fixing device 5 supporting the fixed refractory material 3. The size of the angle between the second bent portion 52 and the central portion 53 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, an example is shown where the angle is 90°. In addition, the second bent portion 52 is formed to extend in the vertical direction when installed.

[0047] The second bent portion 52 is preferably positioned near the center between the steel shell 2 and the shaped refractory material 3. This arrangement can be achieved by appropriately selecting the dimensions of the central portion 53. As an example, in this embodiment, the length of the central portion 53 is set to 140 mm (the dimension of the upper side in Figure 8).

[0048] The width of the fastener 5 (the vertical dimension in the plane of Figures 7 and 8) is preferably one-third to two-thirds of the height of the standard-shaped refractory material 3 (the vertical dimension in the plane of Figures 2 and 5). When this requirement is met, it is easier to achieve both the strength of the fastener 5 and ease of installation.

[0049] The number of fasteners 5 to be installed is not particularly limited. As an example, Figure 3 shows an example in which fasteners 5 are placed every six gaps 37 between the refractory materials 3. From the viewpoint of preventing the refractory materials 3 from falling out, it is preferable to have more fasteners 5, but from the viewpoint of reducing the labor required for manufacturing the converter 1, it is preferable to have fewer fasteners 5. Therefore, the number of fasteners 5 is determined for each part of the converter 1, taking into consideration the likelihood of the refractory materials 3 falling out.

[0050] The material constituting the fastener 5 is not particularly limited as long as it is a material that can be used at temperatures that the fastener 5 can reach when the converter 1 is in use (for example, about 800°C), but may be, for example, SUS304, SUS310S, SUH310, etc. It is preferable that the fastener 5 is made of metal because it is easy to form the bent shape shown in Figures 7 and 8. The thickness of the fastener 5 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 1 mm or more and 2 mm or less. When the thickness of the fastener 5 is within the above range, it is easy to achieve both the strength and processability of the fastener 5.

[0051] The first bent portion 51 and part of the central portion 53 of the fastener 5 are inserted into the gap 37 between the shaped refractory materials 3. Therefore, the sizes G1 and G2 of the gap 37 (the distance between the shaped refractory materials 3 in the gap 37) are greater than the thickness T of the fastener 5 (Figure 4). In this embodiment, while the thickness T of the fastener 5 is 1 mm, the size G1 of the gap 37 at the tip side of the step 35b is 5 mm, and the size G2 of the gap 37 on the outside in the width direction of the step 35b is 1.5 mm.

[0052] The components constituting the converter 1 (steel shell 2, shaped refractory material 3, amorphous refractory material 4, and fasteners 5) are made of different materials and therefore have different coefficients of thermal expansion. In addition, the temperature reached when the converter 1 is in use differs depending on the component. Due to these circumstances, the amount of thermal expansion of each component when the converter 1 is in use will differ. Due to this difference in thermal expansion, the fasteners 5 may move and expand in the gap 37, potentially placing a load on the fasteners 5. Therefore, in this embodiment, a gap 37 larger than the thickness of the fasteners 5 is provided, and this gap 37 is used as a buffer to allow for movement and deformation of the fasteners 5 due to the difference in the thermal expansion coefficients of each component, thereby reducing the load on the fasteners 5.

[0053] Furthermore, as the vertical deformation of the shaped refractory material 3 accumulates sequentially from the furnace bottom side towards the furnace opening 11 side, stress is generated in the constricted section 12 that attempts to move the shaped refractory material 3 upward. On the other hand, this stress is less likely to occur in the amorphous refractory material 4. Since the fasteners 5 are placed in the gaps between the shaped refractory materials 3, there is a possibility that the stress attempting to move the shaped refractory material 3 upward will be transmitted to the fasteners 5. However, the other end of the fasteners 5 is fixed to the amorphous refractory material 4 and is difficult to move, so uneven stress may be applied to the fasteners 5, potentially causing damage or deformation. In this embodiment, by providing a gap 37 that is larger than the thickness of the fasteners 5, the shaped refractory material 3 and the fasteners 5 are less likely to come into direct contact, thereby reducing the stress on the fasteners 5. In addition, the fact that the first bent portion 51 is inclined toward the internal space 13 also plays a role in preventing the transmission of stress to the fasteners 5 when stress occurs that attempts to move the shaped refractory material 3 upward. This is because when the refractory material 3 moves upward, the step 35b moves away from the first bent portion 51. In addition, the fact that the width of the fastener 5 is sufficiently small compared to the height of the refractory material 3 (for example, less than two-thirds) is also advantageous in that it makes it difficult for stress to be transmitted to the fastener 5.

[0054] Since the fastener 5 extends across the shaped refractory material 3 and the amorphous refractory material 4, the movement and deformation of the fastener 5 are greater in the longitudinal direction than in other directions. Therefore, it is particularly important to absorb the movement and deformation of the fastener 5 in the longitudinal direction. Of the gap 37, the portion at the tip of the step 35b (the portion facing the internal space 13 of the step 35b) contributes to absorbing the movement and deformation of the fastener 5 in the longitudinal direction, and in this embodiment, the size G1 of the gap 37 in this portion is 5 mm. As in this example, it is preferable that the size G1 of the gap 37 facing the internal space 13 of the step 35b is 2 mm or more, as this makes it easier to reduce the load on the fastener 5. Also, it is preferable that the size G1 of the gap 37 facing the internal space 13 of the step 35b is 7 mm or less, as this makes it easier to securely fix the shaped refractory material 3. From another perspective, it is preferable that the size G1 of the gap 37 facing the side of the internal space 13 of the step 35b is 1% to 5% of the length of the central part 53 of the fastener 5, as this reduces the load on the fastener 5 and makes it easier to securely fasten the refractory material 3.

[0055] The size G2 of the portion of the gap 37 on the outer side in the width direction of the step 35b is 1.5 mm. This portion of the gap 37 contributes to absorbing movement and deformation in the thickness direction of the fastener 5. Since the movement and deformation in this direction are smaller than those in the longitudinal direction, the size G2 of the gap 37 on the outer side in the width direction of the step 35b is correspondingly smaller than the size G1 of the gap 37 facing the internal space 13 side of the step 35b. As in this example, it is preferable that the size of the gap 37 on the outer side in the width direction of the step 35b is between 1.2 and 2.0 times the thickness of the fastener 5, as this allows for an appropriate level of play in the fastener 5, making it easier to achieve both the fixing of the refractory material 3 and the reduction of the load on the fastener 5. The size G2 of the gap 37 on the outer side in the width direction of the step 35b is determined by the difference between the protrusion length of the step 35b relative to the contact surface 35a and the recess length of the step 36b relative to the contact surface 36a.

[0056] [Method of manufacturing a converter] Next, a method for manufacturing the converter 1 according to this embodiment will be described. The method for manufacturing the converter 1 according to this embodiment includes the steps of arranging a plurality of shaped refractories 3 inside the iron shell 2, arranging a fixing device 5, and arranging an unshaped refractories 4.

[0057] The process of arranging multiple shaped refractories 3 inside the iron shell 2 is the same as in the conventional method of manufacturing the converter 1. That is, the shaped refractories 3 designed for each part of the converter 1 are installed in the conventional method, and in the constricted section 12, multiple shaped refractories 3 are installed in a ring shape. The installation of the perm bricks R is also the same as in the conventional method. In the constricted section 12, a space is provided between the iron shell 2 and the shaped refractories 3.

[0058] In the step of positioning the fastener 5, the first bent portion 51 of the fastener 5 is inserted into the gap 37 between two adjacent refractory materials 3. At this time, the second bent portion 52 of the fastener 5 is positioned in the space between the steel shell 2 and the refractory materials 3. Alternatively, the fastener 5 may be pushed further into the gap 37 by striking the second bent portion 52 with a tool such as a hammer.

[0059] In the process of placing the amorphous refractory material 4, the amorphous refractory material 4 is poured into the space between the steel shell 2 and the shaped refractory material 3. At this time, the second bent portion 52 of the fixing device 5 installed in the previous step is present in this space, and by pouring the amorphous refractory material 4 into this space afterward, the second bent portion 52 is embedded in the amorphous refractory material 4. After that, the amorphous refractory material 4 is cured and solidified.

[0060] The steps of placing the pre-formed refractory material 3, placing the fasteners 5, and placing the unformed refractory material 4 can be carried out in any order. For example, the procedure of installing one layer of pre-formed refractory material 3 and placing the fasteners 5 in the gaps 37 of the pre-formed refractory material 3 in that layer can be carried out for about five layers, then the unformed refractory material 4 can be poured into the area of ​​those five layers, and then the next five layers can be constructed using the same procedure. In addition, the curing of the unformed refractory material 4 may be carried out all at once after the series of constructions have been completed.

[0061] [Variation] Next, a modified example of the above embodiment will be described. In the modified example, the configuration of the refractory material and the fasteners differs from that of the above embodiment. Components similar to those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted or simplified. Furthermore, the definitions of various directions, etc., are the same as in the above embodiment.

[0062] The modified refractory material 6 differs from the refractory material 3 according to the above embodiment in the configuration of the engaging portion. A plan view of the refractory material 6 is shown in Figure 9, and a side view is shown in Figure 10. The refractory material 6 has, on one side (first side 61), a contact surface 61a that contacts the side (second side 62) of an adjacent refractory material 6, a bulging portion 61b (an example of an engaging portion) that protrudes from the contact surface 61a, and a base end portion 61c located on approximately the extension of the contact surface 61a (Figures 9 and 10). The bulging portion 61b has an approximately semicircular shape in the plan view.

[0063] The width of the bulging portion 61b protruding from the contact surface 61a is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 10 mm or more and 20 mm or less. In other words, the radius of the bulging portion 61b in the plan view may be 10 mm or more and 20 mm or less.

[0064] The shaped refractory material 6 has a second side surface 62 which includes a contact surface 62a that abuts against the first side surface 61 of an adjacent shaped refractory material 6, a cut portion 62b to avoid interference with the bulging portion 61b of the other shaped refractory material 6, and a base end portion 62c which is the part closer to the base end than the cut portion 62b. In the plan view, the cut portion 62b has a shape larger than the approximately semicircular shape of the bulging portion 61b. The base end portion 62c is located inward in the width direction of the shaped refractory material 6 relative to the extension of the contact surface 62a (the dashed line in Figure 9).

[0065] At the same height, the length of the contact surface 61a is longer than the length of the contact surface 62a. Also, the width of the bulging portion 61b protruding relative to the contact surface 61a is smaller than the width of the recessed portion 62b relative to the contact surface 62a. Due to these dimensional relationships, a gap 63 is created between the bulging portion 61b of one shaped refractory 6 and the recessed portion 62b of another adjacent shaped refractory 6. Figure 11 shows the positional relationship between two adjacent shaped refractory 6, an unshaped refractory 4, and a fastener 7 in a manner similar to Figure 4 relating to the above embodiment.

[0066] The modified fastener 7 is plate-shaped and has a form in which both ends of a metal plate are bent in the same direction (Figure 11). Here, the two bent portions of the fastener 7 are referred to as the first bent portion 71 and the second bent portion 72, respectively.

[0067] The first bent portion 71 is the portion that engages with the bulging portion 61b of the shaped refractory material 6. The first bent portion 71 is curved in a shape that can be positioned along the bulging portion 61b. The configuration of the second bent portion 72 is the same as that of the second bent portion 52 in the above embodiment.

[0068] The preferred relationship between the size of the gap 63 and the thickness of the fastener 7 is the same as in the above embodiment. That is, it is preferable that the size of the gap 63 facing the internal space side of the bulging portion 61b is large enough to absorb the movement and deformation of the fastener 7 caused by thermal expansion, and specifically it is preferable that it is 2 mm or more. In achieving this, the missing portion 62b will have a shape in which a semicircle is stretched in the longitudinal direction in the plan view. In this modified example, the portion of the bulging portion 61b of the refractory material 6 that engages with the fastener 7 is a curved surface corresponding to the tip side of the semicircular shape in the plan view, and this curved surface is inclined toward the internal space side.

[0069] Furthermore, the size G4 of the portion of the gap 63 that lies on the outer side in the width direction of the base end portion 62c is preferably 1.2 times or more and 2.0 times or less the thickness of the fastener 7. The size of the portion of the gap 63 that lies on the outer side in the width direction of the base end portion 62c is determined by the amount by which the base end portion 62c retracts relative to the extension of the contact surface 62a (the dashed line in Figure 9).

[0070] [Other Embodiments] Finally, other embodiments of the container and method for manufacturing the container according to the present invention will be described. Note that the configurations disclosed in each of the following embodiments can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as this does not create a contradiction.

[0071] In the embodiments and modifications described above, a configuration in which the engaging portion is provided on the side surface (the surface extending in the vertical direction) of the shaped refractory material was explained as an example. However, in the present invention, the position in which the engaging portion is provided on the shaped refractory material is not limited.

[0072] In the embodiments and modifications described above, a configuration was explained in which a surface having an inclination toward the internal space engages with the fastener in the engaging portion. However, in the present invention, the presence or absence of inclination in the engaging portion is optional.

[0073] In the embodiments and modifications described above, a configuration in which the fastener is plate-shaped was used as an example. However, the shape of the fastener in the present invention is not limited as long as it is a shape that can engage with the engaging portion of a fixed-shape refractory at one end and be fixed to an unshaped refractory at the other end. Therefore, the fastener may be in the shape of a rod, wire, or the like, in addition to the plate shape exemplified above. Furthermore, when the fastener is plate-shaped, the angles, inclinations of each part, and the bending directions of both ends in the embodiments described above are all merely illustrative examples.

[0074] In the embodiments and modifications described above, a converter 1 was explained as an example of a container according to the present invention. However, the container according to the present invention can be applied to electric furnaces, smelting furnaces, tundishes, and the like, in addition to converters.

[0075] In the above embodiment, a converter 1 comprising a steel shell 2, a shaped refractory 3, an amorphous refractory 4, and a fastener 5 was described as an example. However, the existence of other components of the container according to the present invention, such as an outer casing, a shaped refractory, an amorphous refractory, and a fastener, is not excluded. The container according to the present invention may further include, for example, other refractory materials or heat insulating materials between the outer casing and the amorphous refractory.

[0076] With regard to other configurations, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and it should be understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, other embodiments modified without departing from the spirit of the invention are naturally included within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0077] This invention can be applied to converters and the like. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 1: Converter 13: Interior space 2: Iron skin 21: Opening 3: Standard refractory materials 35: First side 35a: Contact surface 35b: Step 36:Second side 37: Gap 4: Monolithic refractories 5: Fixture 51:First bent part 52:Second bent part 6: Standard refractory material (modified version) 61: First aspect (modified version) 61a: Contact surface (modified version) 61b: Bulging portion (modified version) 62: Second aspect (variant) 63: Gap (variant) 7: Fixing device (modified version) 71: First bend (modified version) 72: Second bend (modified version)

Claims

1. A metal exterior having an opening, Multiple shaped fire-resistant materials are arranged inside the exterior body and define the internal space, A non-shape refractory material is placed between the exterior body and the shape refractory material, The system includes a fixing device for securing the shaped refractory material to the unshaped refractory material, The aforementioned refractory material has a contact surface that comes into contact with another adjacent refractory material, and an engaging portion that protrudes from the contact surface and engages with the fixing device, A gap for accommodating the fixing device is provided between the aforementioned refractory material and another adjacent refractory material. A container in which the fastener engages with the engagement portion at one end and is fixed to the amorphous refractory material at the other end.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion is provided on a surface extending vertically from the refractory material.

3. The container according to claim 2, wherein the surface of the engaging portion having an inclination toward the internal space engages with the fastener.

4. The aforementioned fastener is plate-shaped, The container according to claim 1, wherein the gap is at least partially greater than the thickness of the fastener.

5. The container according to claim 4, wherein the gap of the engaging portion facing the internal space is 2 mm or more.

6. The container according to claim 4, wherein the fastener has a first bent portion that engages with the engaging portion at one end and a second bent portion that is fixed to the amorphous refractory material at the other end.

7. A converter, as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A metal exterior having an opening, Multiple shaped fire-resistant materials are arranged inside the exterior body and define the internal space, The system comprises an unshaped refractory material disposed between the exterior body and the shaped refractory material, The aforementioned refractory material has a contact surface that comes into contact with another adjacent refractory material, and an engaging portion that protrudes from the contact surface, In a container having a gap between two adjacent refractory materials, A fastening device that is inserted into the gap at one end and engages with the engagement portion, and is fixed to the amorphous refractory material at the other end, thereby fixing the shaped refractory material to the amorphous refractory material.

9. A metal exterior having an opening, Multiple shaped fire-resistant materials are arranged inside the exterior body and define the internal space, A non-shape refractory material is placed between the exterior body and the shape refractory material, A method for manufacturing a container comprising a fixing device for fixing the shaped refractory material to the unshaped refractory material, The process of placing a plurality of the aforementioned shaped refractory materials inside the exterior body, The steps include inserting one end of the fixing device between two adjacent refractory materials and positioning the other end of the fixing device in the space between the outer casing and the refractory materials, A method for manufacturing a container, comprising the step of placing the amorphous refractory material in the space.

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