Loading device, loading control device, and loading control method

Abstract

To provide a charging device, a charging control device, and a charging control method that can reduce a surface protective layer on an inner surface of a chute.SOLUTION: A charging device 10 has: a rotor 12 supported by a frame 11 and rotatable around a first rotational axis D1; a holder 13 supported by the rotor 12 and rotatable around a second rotational axis D2; a cylindrical chute 20 supported by the holder 13; and a control device 9 for controlling the turning action of rotating the rotor 12 with respect to the frame 11 and the tilting angle adjustment action of the chute 20 by rotating the holder 13 with respect to the rotor 12. At least a lower region of the chute 20 is covered by a protective liner 22. The control device 9 sets a rotation direction of the holder 13 when adjusting a tilt angle of the chute 20 in a rotation direction in which the lower region of the chute 20 becomes the rear side of a turning direction of the chute 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging device, a charging control device, and a charging control method.

Background Art

[0002] In a blast furnace for steelmaking, raw materials such as iron ore and coke are charged into the furnace by a charging device installed at the top of the furnace. In the charging device, a cylindrical or trough-shaped chute for feeding the charged material is installed obliquely, and the charged material discharged from the tip of the chute is scattered in an annular shape by rotating the chute around a vertical rotation axis. Further, by adjusting the inclination angle of the chute with respect to the rotation axis, the scattering area of the charged material discharged from the chute is adjusted (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the charging device of Patent Document 1, the chute is supported rotatably about a horizontal axis on the lower surface of a rotating table that rotates, and the inclination angle is adjusted. On the other hand, a charging device has been developed that performs a turning operation and an inclination angle adjustment operation of the chute using two sets of rotating mechanisms whose rotation axes intersect (see Patent Document 2). The charging device of Patent Document 2 includes a rotor supported by a frame and rotatable about a first rotation axis in the vertical direction, a holder supported by the rotor and rotatable about a second rotation axis forming a predetermined angle with respect to the first rotation axis, a cylindrical chute supported by the holder, a turning mechanism that rotates the rotor with respect to the frame to turn the chute, an angle adjustment mechanism that rotates the holder with respect to the rotor to adjust the inclination angle of the chute, and a control device that controls the turning mechanism and the angle adjustment mechanism.

[0004] In the charging device of Patent Document 2, during the angle adjustment operation, the rotor and the chute rotate about the second rotation axis with respect to the holder. Due to this rotation, the inclination angle of the chute changes, but since the second rotation axis D2 is not a horizontal axis, the azimuth that is the lowest in the vertical direction of the cross section perpendicular to the extension axis D3 of the chute changes simultaneously. When the inclination angle of the chute is at its maximum (when the tip of the chute is at its highest position), the lower half of the chute faces downward, i.e., toward the second rotation axis. When the inclination angle of the chute is at its minimum (when the chute is vertically downward), the lower half of the chute faces the side toward the second rotation axis, i.e., the side where the chute extended when the inclination angle was at its maximum. When considering the inclination angles between the maximum and the minimum, two courses can be selected as the rotation directions of the rotor and the chute. That is, starting from the state where the inclination angle is at its maximum as described above, the rotor and the chute can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise in a plan view looking from above the holder, for example, to set the chute to a desired inclination angle. However, even for the same inclination angle, the positions of the chute with respect to the second rotation axis are opposite between clockwise and counterclockwise, and the sides of the chute facing the second rotation axis, i.e., the lower halves described above, are opposite to each other.

[0005] In these charging devices, the charge is introduced from an upper hopper or the like to the base of the chute, flows down inside the chute, and is scattered into the furnace from the tip of the chute. When the inclination angle of the chute is large, the charge slides downward toward the tip while being supported by the lower region of the inner surface of the chute by gravity. As the inclination angle of the chute decreases, the amount of charge that falls vertically inside the chute increases, and the amount of charge that contacts the inner surface of the chute decreases. In the region of the inner surface of the chute that contacts the charge, wear of the surface by the charge is inevitable. Therefore, a wear-resistant protective liner or a lightweight liner with poor wear resistance but a thin plate thickness is attached to the lower region of the inner surface of the chute.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In the above-described loading device, when the loaded object sliding down the inner surface of the chute rotates around the first rotation axis by the turning operation of the chute, as it flows toward the tip side of the chute, it receives a turning force (Coriolis force) toward the rear side in the turning direction, and exhibits a behavior of rising along the rear side in the turning direction of the inner surface of the chute. In consideration of such rising of the loaded object, when attaching the protective liner to the inner surface of the chute, both sides of the protective liner are made higher so that a part thereof covers the upper region of the chute. As a result, it is inevitable to increase the construction area of the surface protection layer such as the protective liner, which has been an obstacle to cost increase and weight reduction of the chute.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a loading device, a loading control device, and a loading control method capable of reducing the surface protection layer on the inner surface of the chute.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The loading device of the present invention includes a rotor supported by a frame and rotatable around a first rotation axis in the vertical direction, a holder supported by the rotor and rotatable around a second rotation axis forming a predetermined angle with respect to the first rotation axis, a cylindrical chute supported by the holder, a turning operation for rotating the rotor with respect to the frame to turn the chute, and a control device for controlling an angle adjustment operation for rotating the holder with respect to the rotor to adjust the inclination angle of the chute. The chute has an upper region and a lower region extending in the extending direction of the chute on the inner surface, and a surface protection layer is formed at least in the lower region. The control device is characterized in that the rotation direction of the holder in the angle adjustment operation is set to a rotation direction in which the lower region of the chute becomes the rear side in the turning direction of the chute.

[0010] In such an invention of the present disclosure, the turning operation of the chute is performed by rotating the rotor around the first rotation axis with respect to the frame. The rotation direction of the turning operation is set to be either clockwise or counterclockwise in a plan view (when viewed from above). During the turning operation, an adjustment operation of the inclination angle of the chute is performed. In the angle adjustment operation, when the holder is rotated with respect to the rotor, the chute rotates around the second rotation axis and the inclination angle of the chute is adjusted. At this time, since the lower region of the chute at the maximum inclination angle always faces the second rotation axis, as the inclination angle changes, the azimuth that is the lowest in the vertical direction of the cross section perpendicular to the extension axis D3 of the chute in a plan view (viewed from above) also changes. In the present disclosure, the control device sets the rotation direction of the holder when adjusting the inclination angle of the chute to the rotation direction in which the lower region of the chute is on the rear side of the turning direction of the chute. Specifically, when performing an operation to decrease the inclination angle of the chute (from a large inclination angle to a small inclination angle), the rotation direction of the holder is set to the same direction as the rotation direction of the rotor (the turning direction of the chute). On the other hand, when performing an operation to increase the inclination angle of the chute (from a small inclination angle to a large inclination angle), the rotation direction of the holder is set to the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the rotor (the turning direction of the chute). As a result, when the chute is at an intermediate inclination angle (between the state with the maximum inclination angle and the upright state with the minimum inclination angle), the tip side of the chute faces the front side of the turning direction and the second rotation axis is located on the rear side of the turn. Therefore, the lower region of the chute is on the rear side of the turning direction of the chute (the side where the charged material flowing down the chute is deflected by the Coriolis force). Therefore, even if the charged material flowing down the chute rises along the inner surface of the chute due to the Coriolis force, contact with the charged material is limited to the lower region of the chute and a specific range in its vicinity. As a result, a surface protection layer such as a protective liner for protecting the inner surface of the chute can be limited to a specific range of the inner surface of the chute, and the surface protection layer of the inner surface of the chute can be reduced.

[0011] In the charging device of the present disclosure, it is preferable that the control device periodically reverses the turning direction of the chute during the turning operation. In such an invention of the present disclosure, the operations of each component configuration can be made uniform in both directions. In particular, in the present invention, it can be efficiently used up to the vicinity of both side edges of the surface protection layer on the inner surface of the chute.

[0012] In the charging device of the present invention, it is preferable that the surface protection layer is formed in a range of at least a central angle of 70 degrees to 290 degrees with the upper end in the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extending direction of the chute being 0 degrees when the chute is at the maximum inclination angle. In such an invention of the present disclosure, by forming the surface protection layer limited to a range of at least a central angle of 70 degrees to 290 degrees (-70 degrees) on the inner surface of the chute, the surface protection layer can be reduced as compared with the case of forming it on the entire inner surface of the chute. In the present invention, even if the range of the surface protection layer is limited, when adjusting the angle, the lower region of the chute can be set to the rear side in the turning direction of the chute, that is, the side where the charged material flowing down the chute is turned by the Coriolis force. Even with a surface protection layer formed by limiting the range to below ±70 degrees on both sides, sufficient protection performance for the inner surface of the chute can be ensured.

[0013] In the charging device of the present invention, in at least a 15% range of the chute tip side portion on the tip side in the extending direction of the chute, when the chute is at the maximum inclination angle, the surface protection layer is formed in a range of at least a central angle of 70 degrees to 290 degrees with the upper end in the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extending direction of the chute being 0 degrees. In the chute base end side portion excluding the chute tip side portion, it is preferable that the surface protection layer is formed in a range of at least a central angle of 90 degrees to 270 degrees with the upper end in the cross-sectional shape being 0 degrees. In such an invention of the present disclosure, in the chute tip side portion where the turning of the charged material due to the Coriolis force becomes prominent, the inner surface of the chute can be protected from the charged material that is turned and spread by the Coriolis force by at least a wide surface protection layer with a width of 110 degrees on both sides. On the other hand, in the chute base end side portion, since the turning of the charged material due to the Coriolis force is small, even if the surface protection layer has a range of 90 degrees on both sides, it is sufficient to protect the inner surface of the chute, and the formation range of the surface protection layer can be further reduced.

[0014] In the loading device of the present invention, when the chute is at the maximum inclination angle, the base end side portion of the chute preferably has notches formed in a range of up to ±90 degrees on both sides with the upper end in the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extending direction of the chute being 0 degrees. In such a present invention, in addition to reducing the surface protection layer, further reduction of the material of the chute body can be achieved. Even with such a shape, in the base end side portion of the chute, since the turning of the loaded material due to the Coriolis force is small, the function as a chute for flowing down the loaded material can be ensured.

[0015] The loading device of the present invention includes a rotor supported by a frame and rotatable about a first rotation axis in the vertical direction, a holder supported by the rotor and rotatable about a second rotation axis forming a predetermined angle with respect to the first rotation axis, and a cylindrical chute supported by the holder. The chute has an upper region and a lower region extending in the extending direction of the chute on the inner surface, and is connected to a loading device in which a surface protection layer is formed at least in the lower region. The turning operation of rotating the rotor with respect to the frame to turn the chute and the angle adjustment operation of rotating the holder with respect to the rotor to adjust the inclination angle of the chute are controlled, and the rotation direction of the holder in the angle adjustment operation is set to a rotation direction in which the lower region of the chute is on the rear side of the turning direction of the chute. In such a present invention, the effects as described in the above-described loading device can be obtained.

[0016] The loading device of the present invention includes a rotor supported by a frame and rotatable about a first vertical rotation axis, a holder supported by the rotor and rotatable about a second rotation axis forming a predetermined angle with respect to the first rotation axis, and a cylindrical chute supported by the holder. The chute has an upper region and a lower region extending in the extending direction of the chute on the inner surface, and a surface protection layer is formed at least in the lower region. Using the loading device, a turning operation of rotating the rotor with respect to the frame to turn the chute and an angle adjustment operation of rotating the holder with respect to the rotor to adjust the inclination angle of the chute are controlled, and the rotation direction of the holder in the angle adjustment operation is set to a rotation direction in which the lower region of the chute is on the rear side of the turning direction of the chute. In such a present invention, the effects as described in the above-described loading device can be obtained.

Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a loading device, a loading control device, and a loading control method capable of reducing the surface protection layer on the inner surface of the chute.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] 〔First Embodiment〕 In FIG. 1, the blast furnace 1 is provided with a charging device 10 at the upper part of the furnace body 2. The charging device 10 charges raw materials (charged materials) mainly composed of iron ore and coke into the blast furnace 1. The charging device 10 has a frame 11 fixed to the furnace body 2. A rotor 12 is supported by the frame 11. The rotor 12 is rotatable about a first rotation axis D1 perpendicular to the frame 11. A holder 13 is supported by the rotor 12. The holder 13 is rotatable about a second rotation axis D2 that intersects the first rotation axis D1 obliquely with respect to the rotor 12. A chute 20 is supported by the holder 13. The chute 20 is a cylindrical member that extends along an extension axis D3 that intersects the second rotation axis D2 obliquely, and has a tip opening 21 at its tip. The central point P of the tip opening 21 is on the extension axis D3.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the inner surface of the chute 20 has a lower region (A180 direction) of the inner surface of the chute 20 below the A90 direction and A270 direction on both sides, and an upper region (A0 direction side) of the inner surface of the chute 20 above the A90 direction and A270 direction. A protective liner 22 is stretched in the lower region of the inner surface of the chute 20 as a surface protection layer. The protective liner 22 is a rectangular tile-shaped member formed of a material with high wear resistance, and is formed by laying a plurality of sheets in a required area.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the protective liner 22 covers the entire lower region (from the A90 direction through the A180 direction to the A270 direction) of the inner surface of the chute 20, and further covers a part (from the A90 direction to the A70 direction and from the A270 direction to the A290 direction) of the upper region (from the A90 direction through the A0 direction to the A270 direction). In other words, when the chute 20 is at the maximum inclination angle, the protective liner 22 is formed within a central angle range of 70 degrees to 290 degrees, with the upper end of the cross-sectional shape of the chute 20 perpendicular to the extension axis D3 being 0 degrees. The other part of the inner surface of the chute 20, i.e., the other part of the upper region (from the A70 orientation through the A0 orientation to the A290 orientation), is lined with a lightweight liner 23 which is less wear-resistant than the protective liner 22 but is thinner and lighter.

[0022] 1, a duct 14 is provided on the upper surface of the frame 11. The duct 14 is a cylindrical member, and its lower end side is connected to the base end side of the chute 20. In the charging device 10, the charging material is dropped into the duct 14 from a hopper or the like (not shown), whereby the dropped charging material is supplied to the base end side of the chute 20, flows down or falls inside the chute 20, and can be dispersed into the furnace body 2 from the tip opening 21.

[0023] In the charging device 10, by rotating the holder 13 around the second rotation axis D2 relative to the rotor 12, the chute 20 is rotated together with the holder 13, and the center point P of the tip opening 21 draws a second locus L2. This rotation makes it possible to adjust the inclination angle of the chute 20 from the maximum inclination angle position shown in Fig. 1 to the minimum inclination angle position facing vertically downward (inclination angle adjustment operation). In this embodiment, the first rotation axis D1, the second rotation axis D2, and the extension axis D3 intersect at the same point, and the angle between the first rotation axis D1 and the second rotation axis D2 is equal to the angle between the second rotation axis D2 and the extension axis D3. Therefore, when the chute 20 is in a vertically downward position (minimum inclination angle), the extension axis D3 is aligned with the first rotation axis D1.

[0024] In the charging device 10, by rotating the rotor 12 around the first rotation axis D1 relative to the frame 11, the chute 20 and the holder 13 are rotated together with the rotor 12, and the chute 20 adjusted to a predetermined inclination angle by the holder 13 can be rotated around the first rotation axis D1 (rotation operation). For example, when the chute 20 is rotated at the maximum inclination angle shown in FIG. 1, the center point P of the tip opening 21 draws a first locus L1, and the tip opening 21 can be directed in all circumferential directions within the furnace body 2.

[0025] When the charge material is charged, the charge material scattered from the tip opening 21 is distributed in a circumferential shape of a predetermined radius inside the furnace body 2 by rotating the chute 20. The radius of the circumference where the charge material is scattered can be adjusted by adjusting the inclination angle of the chute 20, so that a desired raw material profile can be obtained inside the furnace body 2.

[0026] The charging device 10 is equipped with a swivel motor 15 and an angle adjustment motor 16, and a chute drive mechanism 17 consisting of a gear mechanism or the like for transmitting driving force from the two motors to the rotor 12 and the holder 13 described above, as well as a control device 9 for controlling these. By rotating the swivel motor 15 and the angle adjustment motor 16 at the same speed, the rotor 12 and the holder 13 are driven to rotate relative to the frame 11 about the first rotation axis D1, thereby causing the chute 20 to swing as described above. By generating a speed difference between the swivel motor 15 and the angle adjustment motor 16, the holder 13 is rotated relative to the rotor 12, thereby performing the angle adjustment operation of the chute 20 described above. The control device 9 is part of a control system that controls the entire blast furnace 1, and is equipped with a furnace top overall control device 91 that controls the supply operation of the charging material to the duct 14, and a charging device control device 92 that controls the swivel motor 15 and the angle adjustment motor 16 to control the desired swivel operation and angle adjustment operation.

[0027] 4 to 11 show the change in posture of the chute 20 during the angle adjustment operation and the turning operation of the charging device 10 of this embodiment. Figures 4 and 5 show the state Sx in which the chute 20 of the loading device 10 is at the maximum inclination angle. As shown in FIG. 4, when the chute 20 is rotated about the second rotation axis D2 so that the point P at the tip of the chute 20 is at the position farthest from the first rotation axis D1 on the second locus L2, the angle (inclination angle) formed by the extension axis D3 of the chute 20 and the first rotation axis D1 becomes maximum as shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, when the turning operation (about the first rotation axis D1) of the chute 20 is performed in this state Sx, the first locus L1 of the point P at the tip of the chute 20 becomes the maximum radius Rx.

[0028] Figures 6 and 7 show the state Sm1 in which the chute 20 of the loading device 10 is at an intermediate inclination angle. As shown in FIG. 6, when the chute 20 is rotated about the second rotation axis D2 so that the point P at the tip of the chute 20 is at a position protruding to both sides of the second locus L2 (the middle between the farthest position in FIG. 4 and the first rotation axis D1), the angle formed by the extension axis D3 of the chute 20 and the first rotation axis D1 becomes an intermediate angle as shown in FIG. 7. Such a state Sm1 can be reached by rotating the chute 20 clockwise in a plan view about the second rotation axis D2 from the state Sx (see FIG. 4) described above, and the tip of the chute 20 faces downward to the right in FIG. 6 (the clockwise direction in a plan view in the turning operation of the chute 20 about the first rotation axis D1). In FIG. 7, when the turning operation of the chute 20 is performed in this state Sm1, the first locus L1 of the point P at the tip of the chute 20 becomes an intermediate radius Rt.

[0029] Figures 8 and 9 show the state Sm2 in which the chute 20 of the loading device 10 is at an intermediate inclination angle. In the state Sm2, the inclination angle of the chute 20 (see FIG. 9) is the same as the inclination angle of the state Sm1 (see FIG. 7), but the orientation of the chute 20 in a plan view (see FIG. 8) is opposite to the orientation of the state Sm1 (see FIG. 6). That is, the state Sm2 can be reached by rotating the chute 20 counterclockwise in a plan view about the second rotation axis D2 from the state Sx (see FIG. 4) described above, and the tip of the chute 20 faces upward in FIG. 8 (the direction that rotates counterclockwise in a plan view in the turning operation about the first rotation axis D1 of the chute 20). In FIG. 9, when the turning operation of the chute 20 is performed in this state Sm2, the first locus L1 of the point P at the tip of the chute 20 has an intermediate radius Rt (the same as the state Sm1).

[0030] FIGS. 10 and 11 show the state Sn in which the chute 20 of the loading device 10 has the minimum inclination angle. As shown in FIG. 10, when the chute 20 is rotated about the second rotation axis D2 so that the point P at the tip of the chute 20 overlaps the first rotation axis D1 on the second locus L2, the extension axis D3 of the chute 20 and the first rotation axis D1 overlap as shown in FIG. 11, and the angle formed therebetween is a minimum of 0 degrees. In FIG. 11, when the turning operation of the chute 20 is performed in this state Sn, the point P at the tip of the chute 20 is maintained on the first rotation axis D1, and the turning radius becomes 0.

[0031] FIG. 12 shows the change in the posture of the cross section (viewed from above) in a plan view of the tip of the chute 20 during the angle adjustment operation of the chute 20 in the loading device 10 of the present embodiment. In the angle adjustment operation of the chute 20, when the chute 20 changes from the state Sx with the maximum inclination angle (FIGS. 4 and 5) to the state Sn with the minimum inclination angle (FIGS. 10 and 11), a clockwise path (first course C1) in a plan view passing through the state Sm1 with an intermediate angle (FIGS. 6 and 7) and a counterclockwise path (second course C2) in a plan view passing through the state Sm2 with an intermediate angle (FIGS. 8 and 9) can be selected.

[0032] By performing the angle adjustment operation of the chute 20 along the clockwise first course C1, the chute 20 transitions from the state Sx with the maximum inclination angle through the state Sm1 with an intermediate angle to the state Sn with the minimum inclination angle. In the state Sx of the maximum tilt angle, the tip side of the chute 20 is farthest from the first rotation axis D1, the tip opening 21 faces slightly downward to the side (see Fig. 4), at the tip opening 21, the A0 direction is vertically upward, the A180 direction is vertically downward, and the A90 direction and the A270 direction are at the same height. Therefore, on the inner surface of the chute 20, the protective liner 22 is on the lower side and the lightweight liner 23 is on the upper side.

[0033] In the state Sm1 of an intermediate angle, the tip side of the chute 20 shifts clockwise from the state Sx (see Fig. 6), the tip opening 21 further faces downward (see Fig. 7), at the tip opening 21, the A0 direction and the A180 direction are upward and downward respectively but deviate from the vertical direction, the A270 direction is high, and the A90 direction is at a low position. Therefore, on the inner surface of the chute 20, the protective liner 22 is on the lower side and the lightweight liner 23 is on the upper side, but the edges on each side are in a state where the side in the A270 direction is high and the side in the A90 direction is low and inclined.

[0034] In the state Sn of the minimum tilt, the tip side of the chute 20 is substantially vertically downward, that is, in a state along the first rotation axis D1 (see Fig. 10), the tip opening 21 faces downward (see Fig. 11), at the tip opening 21, the A180 direction is at the tip side of the chute 20 in the state Sx of the maximum tilt angle The A0 direction is on the side opposite to the tip of the same chute 20. In this state, therefore, there is no up and down for the protective liner 22 and the lightweight liner 23 on the inner surface of the chute 20, the protective liner 22 is on the tip side of the chute 20 in the state Sx of the maximum tilt angle, and the lightweight liner 23 is on the opposite side.

[0035] In this way, by performing the angle adjustment operation of the chute 20 in the first course C1, the protective liner 22 transitions from a state where it is on the lower side of the chute 20 (state Sx of the maximum tilt angle), through a state where one side (A270 direction) becomes high (state Sm1 of an intermediate angle), to a state where the chute 20 stands vertically (state Sn of the minimum tilt angle).

[0036] By performing the angle adjustment operation of the chute 20 in the second counterclockwise course C2, the chute 20 transitions from the state Sx of the maximum inclination angle, through the state Sm2 of an intermediate angle, to the state Sn of the minimum inclination angle. The states of the chute 20, the protective liner 22, and the lightweight liner 23 in the state Sx of the maximum inclination angle and the state Sn of the minimum inclination angle are as described in the first course C1.

[0037] In the state Sm2 of an intermediate angle, the tip side of the chute 20 transitions counterclockwise from the state Sx (see Fig. 8), the tip opening 21 becomes further downward (see Fig. 9), and at the tip opening 21, the A0 azimuth and the A180 azimuth are upward and downward respectively but deviate from the vertical direction, the A90 azimuth is high, and the A270 azimuth is low. Therefore, on the inner surface of the chute 20, the protective liner 22 is on the lower side and the lightweight liner 23 is on the upper side, but the edges of each are inclined such that the side of the A90 azimuth is high and the side of the A270 azimuth is low.

[0038] Thus, by performing the angle adjustment operation of the chute 20 in the second course C2, the protective liner 22 transitions from the state of being on the lower side of the chute 20 (the state Sx of the maximum inclination angle), through the state where one side (the A90 azimuth) is high (the state Sm2 of an intermediate angle), to the state where the chute 20 stands vertically (the state Sn of the minimum inclination angle).

[0039] In the loading device 10, depending on whether it passes through the first course C1 or the second course C2 during the inclination angle adjustment operation, the angular position in the cross-sectional shape of the chute 20 in plan view in the states Sm1 and Sm2 of intermediate angles is reversed, and in particular, one side (the A270 azimuth side or the A90 azimuth side) of the protective liner 22 becomes high, so that the protective liner 22 is arranged on the opposite side surfaces of the inner surface of the chute 20. Furthermore, the above-described first course C1 in the clockwise direction and the second course C2 in the counterclockwise direction differed in terms of whether they passed on either side of the intermediate angle states Sm1 and Sm2 when transitioning the chute 20 from the maximum inclination angle state Sx to the minimum inclination angle state Sn. In contrast, when transitioning the chute 20 from the minimum inclination angle state Sn to the maximum inclination angle state Sx, it is possible to select a counterclockwise first course C1R that passes through the intermediate angle state Sm1 and a clockwise second course C2R that passes through the intermediate angle state Sm2.

[0040] When the loading device 10 performs the loading operation, the loaded material introduced into the chute 20 flows along the lower side of the chute 20 due to gravity. In the state Sx of the maximum inclination angle, the protective liner 22 is on the lower side of the chute 20. When performing the loading operation, the loaded material discharged from the duct 14 falls centered on the A180 azimuth of the cross-section of the chute 20 in plan view and then flows toward the tip of the chute 20. Here, when the loading device 10 performs a turning operation, as the loaded material reaches the tip side of the chute 20, it turns due to the Coriolis force and rises up the side surface of the protective liner 22. The direction in which the loaded material rises is determined by the rotation direction of the turning operation. Since both sides of the protective liner 22 are formed higher than the A90 azimuth and the A270 azimuth, respectively (see the A70 azimuth and the A290 azimuth in FIG. 3), the loaded material does not exceed the range of the protective liner 22 even when it rises.

[0041] In the intermediate angle state Sm1, due to the influence of the chute 20 rotating around the second rotation axis D2 in the inclination angle adjustment operation, the protective liner 22 is displaced clockwise in plan view. Then, the loaded material discharged from the duct 14 falls centered on a position shifted from the A180 azimuth to the A90 azimuth of the chute 20 and then flows toward the tip of the chute 20. In the state Sm2 of the intermediate angle, due to the rotation of the chute 20 around the second rotation axis D2 in the tilt angle adjustment operation, the protective liner 22 is displaced counterclockwise in plan view. Then, the charge discharged from the duct 14 falls centered on a position shifted in the direction from the A180 azimuth to the A270 azimuth of the chute 20 and then flows toward the tip of the chute 20.

[0042] Here, when the charging device 10 performs a turning operation, the charge flowing through the chute 20 rises to the side surface of the protective liner 22 due to the Coriolis force. If the rotation direction of the turning operation of the chute 20 is clockwise (the turning direction is the first direction R1), the charge rises in the counterclockwise direction of the trajectory L1B of the turning operation. In the state Sm1 of the intermediate angle, since the A180 azimuth, which is the center of the protective liner 22, is displaced in the rising direction of the charge, the rising charge does not exceed the range of the protective liner 22. On the other hand, in the state Sm2 of the intermediate angle, since the A180 azimuth, which is the center of the protective liner 22, is displaced to the opposite side of the rising direction of the charge, the rising charge exceeds the range of the protective liner 22.

[0043] If the rotation direction of the turning operation of the chute 20 is counterclockwise (the turning direction is the second direction R2), the charge rises in the clockwise direction of the trajectory L1B of the turning operation. In the state Sm1 of the intermediate angle, since the A180 azimuth, which is the center of the protective liner 22, is displaced to the opposite side of the rising direction of the charge, the rising charge exceeds the range of the protective liner 22. On the other hand, in the state Sm2 of the intermediate angle, since the A180 azimuth, which is the center of the protective liner 22, is displaced in the rising direction of the charge, the rising charge does not exceed the range of the protective liner 22.

[0044] Thus, in the state Sm1 of the intermediate tilt angle, by making the protective liner 22 on the side opposite to the turning direction (the rear side) with respect to the rising of the charge due to the turning operation, it is possible to avoid the rising charge going out of the range of the protective liner 22. The side to which the protective liner 22 is displaced can be determined by the selection of the first course C1 or the second course C2. Similarly, when transitioning the chute 20 from the state Sn of the minimum tilt angle to the state Sx of the maximum tilt angle, a counterclockwise first course C1R passing through the intermediate angle state Sm1 or a clockwise second course C2R passing through the intermediate angle state Sm2 may be selected so that the charged material does not exceed the range of the protective liner 22.

[0045] In the state Sn of the minimum tilt angle, the protective liner 22 is on the upper side in the figure. In this state, the chute 20 stands upright in the vertical direction, and the charged material falls inside the protective liner 22 and does not contact the inner surface of the chute 20, or the contact is limited, and the relationship with the range of the protective liner 22 can be ignored.

[0046] The charging operation, turning operation, and angle adjustment operation of the charging device 10 are controlled by the top furnace overall control device 91 and the charging device control device 92. In FIG. 13, upon receiving the charging device operation start command (process P01) from the top furnace overall control device 91, the charging device control device 92 starts the operation of the charging device 10, and the charging count, which is an internal counter in the charging device control device, is reset to 0 (process P1). Upon receiving the turning direction command (process P02) from the top furnace overall control device 91, the charging device control device 92 confirms the set rotation direction (the first direction R1 or the second direction R2, see FIG. 12) of the turning operation (process P2). According to the turning direction, the course (the first course C1, C1R or the second course C2, C2R) in the tilt angle adjustment operation is set (process P3, process P4).

[0047] Subsequently, the top furnace overall control device 91 first confirms a preparation signal from a hopper or the like that drops the charged material into the duct 14, and issues a charging start command when the charging preparation is confirmed (process P03). The charging device control device 92 confirms the charging preparation state of the charging device, and sets the operation preparation completion signal to the ON state if it is in an operable state (process P5). When receiving the charging start signal from the top furnace overall control device and the operation preparation completion signal of the charging device control device becomes ON, the charging sequence is started (process P6). The loading sequence includes a turning operation in a specified turning direction and an angle adjustment operation on a specified course. As the turning operation, the loading device control device 92 controls the rotational speeds of the turning motor 15 and the angle adjustment motor 16 to be the same speed, and turns the rotor 12, the holder 13, and the chute 20 around the first rotation axis D1. As the angle adjustment operation, the loading device control device 92 designates the first course C1 or the second course C2 (when reducing the inclination angle) or the first course C1R or the second course C2R (when increasing the inclination angle) described above as the specified course, and then causes a speed difference in the rotational speeds of the turning motor 15 and the angle adjustment motor 16 to rotate the holder 13 and the chute 20 around the second rotation axis D2 with respect to the rotor 12, and adjusts the inclination angle of the chute 20.

[0048] When the loaded material reaches a predetermined amount, a loading dump end signal is transmitted from the top furnace overall control device 91 (process P04), and the loading device control device 92 completes the loading sequence (process P7). After the loading sequence is completed, 1 is added to the current loading count, and the loading count is updated (process P8). The loading device control device 92 determines whether the number of loading times has reached a predetermined number of loading times for stopping the loading device from the loading count (process P9). If the predetermined number of loading times has not been reached, it waits for the loading preparation completion signal (process P5) and repeats the loading sequence (processes P6 to P8). On the other hand, if the predetermined number of loading times has been reached, the operation of the loading device 10 is stopped (process P10).

[0049] When the loading device 10 is stopped, the loading device control device 92 further determines whether the number of turning operation times has reached a predetermined number of operation times for reversing the turning operation direction from the turning line count (process P11). If the predetermined number of operation times has not been reached, it waits for the loading preparation completion signal (process P5) and repeats the loading sequence (processes P6 to P8). On the other hand, if the predetermined number of operation times has been reached, a signal for reversing the rotation direction of the turning operation set in the loading device control device 92 is transmitted to the top furnace overall control device 91 (process P12). When the process P12 is completed, the charging measure control device 92 returns to the process P1 and resumes the operation of the charging device when receiving a charging device operation start command (process P01) from the top furnace overall control device 91.

[0050] According to such an embodiment, the following operational effects can be obtained. In this embodiment, the control device 9 (charging device control device 92) controls the rotational speeds of the turning motor 15 and the angle adjustment motor 16, and rotates the rotor 12 around the first rotation axis D1 with respect to the frame 11, thereby performing the turning operation of the chute 20. The rotation direction of the turning operation is set to either clockwise (first direction R1) or counterclockwise (second direction R2) in a plan view (viewed from above). During the turning operation, the charging device control device 92 controls the rotational speeds of the turning motor 15 and the angle adjustment motor 16, thereby performing the adjustment operation of the inclination angle of the chute 20. In the angle adjustment operation, when the holder 13 is rotated with respect to the rotor 12, the chute 20 rotates around the second rotation axis D2, the inclination angle of the chute 20 is adjusted, and the lowest point in the vertical direction in the cross section of the chute 20 changes.

[0051] In this embodiment, in the control device 9, when adjusting the inclination angle of the chute 20, the rotation direction of the holder 13 is set to the rotation direction in which the A180 azimuth of the cross section perpendicular to the extension axis D3 of the chute 20 is on the rear side of the turning direction of the chute 20. Specifically, when performing the operation of reducing the inclination angle of the chute 20 (from a large inclination angle to a small inclination angle), the rotation direction of the holder 13 is set to the same direction as the rotation direction of the rotor 12 (the turning direction of the chute 20). On the other hand, when performing the operation of increasing the inclination angle of the chute 20 (from a small inclination angle to a large inclination angle), the rotation direction of the holder 13 is set to the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the rotor 12 (the turning direction of the chute 20). As a result, when the chute 20 is at an intermediate inclination angle (between the state with the maximum inclination angle shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and the upright state with the minimum inclination angle), the tip side of the chute 20 faces the front side in the turning direction, and the A180 azimuth in the cross-section perpendicular to the extension axis D3 of the chute 20, which is the center of the protective liner 22, is set to the rear side in the turning direction of the chute 20 (the side where the charge flowing down the chute 20 is deflected by the Coriolis force). Therefore, even if the charge flowing down the chute 20 rises along the inner surface of the chute 20 due to the Coriolis force, the contact with the charge is limited to a specific azimuth centered on the A180 azimuth in the cross-section perpendicular to the extension axis D3 of the chute 20. As a result, the surface protection layer by the protective liner 22 that protects the inner surface of the chute 20 can be limited to a specific range of the inner surface of the chute 20, and the surface protection layer of the inner surface of the chute 20 can be reduced.

[0052] In this embodiment, the control device 9 is configured to periodically (every predetermined number of times) reverse the turning direction (the first direction R1 or the second direction R2) of the chute 20 during the turning operation. For this reason, the operations of each component configuration can be made uniform in both directions. In particular, it can be efficiently used up to the vicinity of both side edges of the protective liner 22, which is the surface protection layer of the inner surface of the chute 20.

[0053] In this embodiment, the protective liner 22 as the surface protection layer is formed in the range of a central angle of 70 degrees to 290 degrees with the upper end in the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extension axis D3 of the chute 20 being 0 degrees when the chute 20 is at the maximum inclination angle (the states in FIGS. 8 and 9). In this way, by limiting the formation of the protective liner 22, which is the surface protection layer, to the range of a central angle of 70 degrees to 290 degrees (-70 degrees) of the inner surface of the chute 20, the surface protection layer can be reduced compared to the case of forming it on the entire inner surface of the chute 20. In this embodiment, even if the range of the protective liner 22, which is the surface protection layer, is limited, the A180 azimuth of the chute 20 can be set to the rear side in the turning direction of the chute 20 during the angle adjustment operation, that is, the side where the charged material flowing down the chute 20 is turned by the Coriolis force. Even if it is a surface protection layer formed within a range limited to 180 ± 110 degrees, sufficient protection performance can be ensured for the inner surface of the chute 20.

[0054] In this embodiment, other parts of the inner surface of the chute 20 are made into a lightweight liner 23 that has less wear resistance than the protective liner 22 but is thin and lightweight. Therefore, even if the charged material falling inside the chute 20 in the upright state of the minimum inclination angle contacts the part of the inner surface of the chute 20 where the protective liner 22 is not provided, wear can be prevented by the lightweight liner 23 formed on that part. At this time, the lightweight liner 23 has less wear resistance than the protective liner 22 but has a thin plate thickness, enabling weight reduction and cost reduction.

[0055] Figures 14 to 20 show the simulation results of the flow of the charged material in the chute 20 in the charging device 10 of this embodiment. Among these, Figures 14 to 17 are settings based on the present invention, and Figures 18 to 21 are settings different from the present invention.

[0056] Figures 14 and 15 show the flow of the charged material when the turning operation of the chute 20 is in the first direction R1 and the angle adjustment operation is in the first course C1 (based on the present invention). Figure 14(A) shows the state where the inclination angle of the chute 20 is 50 degrees (maximum inclination angle). Similarly, Figure 14(B) shows the inclination angle of 28 degrees, Figure 15(A) shows the inclination angle of 8 degrees, and Figure 15(B) shows the inclination angle of 4 degrees. When the inclination angle of the chute 20 is adjusted from the maximum to the minimum by the angle adjustment operation, it changes from the state of Figure 14(A) through Figure 14(B) and Figure 15(A) to the state of Figure 15(B). Conversely, when the inclination angle is adjusted from the minimum to the maximum, it changes from the state of Figure 15(B) through Figure 15(A) and Figure 14(B) to the state of Figure 14(A).

[0057] In Fig. 14(A), the chute 20 is in the state of the maximum inclination angle (see Fig. 5). The charged material introduced from the duct 14 along the first rotation axis D1 falls into a falling region E1 that expands elliptically around the intersection point of the chute 20 and the first rotation axis D1, and flows toward the tip opening 21 to form a flow region E2. When the turning direction is the first direction R1, the chute 20 rotates around the first rotation axis D1 so that the tip opening 21 side moves downward in the figure (clockwise when viewed from above in plan view). Therefore, as the flow region E2 approaches the tip opening 21, it turns to the rear side in the turning direction (upper side in the figure) due to the Coriolis force. Even in this state, the contact region between the charged material and the inner surface of the chute 20 (falling region E1 and flow region E2) is within the range of the protection liner 22.

[0058] In Fig. 14(B), when the chute 20 reaches an intermediate inclination angle of 28 degrees (see Fig. 7) due to the angle adjustment operation, the falling region E1 of the charged material moves downward and slightly to the right in the figure compared to Fig. 14(A), and the flow region E2 also moves downward in the figure, due to the change in the inclination angle of the chute 20 and the change in the lowest position in the vertical direction in the cross-section perpendicular to the extension axis D3. Even in this state, the contact region between the charged material and the inner surface of the chute 20 (falling region E1 and flow region E2) is within the range of the protection liner 22.

[0059] In Fig. 15(A), when the chute 20 reaches an inclination angle of 8 degrees close to the minimum angle of 0 degrees due to the angle adjustment operation, the chute 20 is in a state close to being upright, and about half of the charged material falls without contacting the protection liner 22 inside the chute 20. Therefore, the falling region E1 becomes half of an ellipse, and the distinct flow region E2 disappears. Even in this state, the contact region between the charged material and the inner surface of the chute 20 (falling region E1 and flow region E2) is within the range of the protection liner 22. In Fig. 15(B), when the chute 20 further reaches 4 degrees, which is closer to the minimum inclination angle of 0 degrees, due to the angle adjustment operation, the chute 20 becomes almost upright, and the first rotation axis D1 deviates greatly to the right in the figure, and most of the charged materials fall without contacting the protective liner 22 in the chute 20. Therefore, in the figure, only the end of the ellipse appears at the right end, and the clear flow region E2 disappears. Even in this state, the contact region (the falling region E1 and the flow region E2) between the charged material and the inner surface of the chute 20 is within the range of the protective liner 22.

[0060] Figs. 16 and 17 show the flow of the charged material when the turning operation of the chute 20 is in the second direction R2 and the angle adjustment operation is in the second course C2 (based on the present invention). Fig. 16(A) shows the state where the inclination angle of the chute 20 is 50 degrees (the maximum inclination angle). Similarly, Fig. 16(B) shows the inclination angle of 28 degrees, Fig. 17(A) shows the inclination angle of 8 degrees, and Fig. 17(B) shows the inclination angle of 4 degrees.

[0061] In Fig. 16(A), the charged material falls into the falling region E1 of the chute 20 and flows toward the tip opening 21, depicting the flow region E2. Since the inclination angle is the same maximum angle, the falling region E1 in Fig. 16(A) is the same as that in Fig. 14(A). On the other hand, in Fig. 16(A), the turning direction is the second direction R2 (opposite to that in Fig. 14(A)), and the chute 20 rotates about the first rotation axis D1 such that the tip opening 21 side moves upward in the figure (counterclockwise when viewed from above in plan view). Therefore, as the flow region E2 approaches the tip opening 21, it turns toward the rear side in the turning direction (downward in the figure) due to the Coriolis force (opposite to that in Fig. 14(A)). Even in this state, the contact region (the falling region E1 and the flow region E2) between the charged material and the inner surface of the chute 20 is within the range of the protective liner 22.

[0062] In Fig. 16(B), when the chute 20 reaches an intermediate inclination angle of 28 degrees (see Fig. 7) due to the angle adjustment operation, the change in the inclination angle of the chute 20 and the change in the lowest position in the vertical direction in the cross-section perpendicular to the extension axis D3 cause the drop region E1 of the charged material to move upward and slightly to the right in the figure compared to Fig. 16(A), and the flow region E2 also moves upward in the figure. Even in this state, the contact region (drop region E1 and flow region E2) between the charged material and the inner surface of the chute 20 is within the range of the protective liner 22.

[0063] In Fig. 17(A), when the chute 20 reaches an inclination angle of 8 degrees close to the minimum angle of 0 degrees due to the angle adjustment operation, the chute 20 is in a state close to being upright, and about half of the charged material falls without contacting the inner surface of the chute 20. Therefore, the drop region E1 becomes half of an elliptical shape, and the distinct flow region E2 disappears. Even in this state, the contact region (drop region E1 and flow region E2) between the charged material and the inner surface of the chute 20 is within the range of the protective liner 22. In Fig. 17(B), when the chute 20 reaches an inclination angle of 4 degrees even closer to the minimum inclination angle of 0 degrees due to the angle adjustment operation, the chute 20 is in a nearly upright state, and the first rotation axis D1 deviates greatly to the right in the figure, and most of the charged material falls without contacting the protective liner 22 inside the chute 20. Therefore, in the region E1, only the edge of an ellipse appears at the right end in the figure, and the distinct flow region E2 disappears. Even in this state, the contact region (drop region E1 and flow region E2) between the charged material and the inner surface of the chute 20 is within the range of the protective liner 22.

[0064] Figs. 18 and 19 show the flow of the charged material when the turning operation of the chute 20 is in the first direction R1 and the angle adjustment operation is in the second course C2 (different from the present invention). Fig. 18(A) shows the state where the inclination angle of the chute 20 is 50 degrees (the maximum inclination angle). Similarly, Fig. 18(B) shows the inclination angle of 28 degrees, Fig. 19(A) shows the inclination angle of 8 degrees, and Fig. 19(B) shows the inclination angle of 4 degrees.

[0065] In Fig. 18(A), the charged material falls into the drop region E1 of the chute 20 and flows toward the tip opening 21, depicting the flow region E2. Since the inclination angles are the same, the falling region E1 in Fig. 18(A) is the same as that in Fig. 14(A). Also, since the turning direction is the same in the first direction R1, the flow region E2 in Fig. 18(A) turns to the rear side in the turning direction (upper side in the figure) due to the Coriolis force, similar to Fig. 14(A). In this state, the contact region (falling region E1 and flow region E2) between the charged material and the inner surface of the chute 20 is within the range of the protective liner 22.

[0066] In Fig. 18(B), when the chute 20 reaches an intermediate inclination angle of 28 degrees (see Fig. 7) due to the angle adjustment operation, due to the change in the inclination angle of the chute 20 and the change in the lowest position in the vertical direction in the cross-section perpendicular to the extension axis D3, the falling region E1 of the charged material moves slightly to the upper right in the figure compared to Fig. 18(A), and the flow region E2 also moves upward in the figure. In this state, a part of the flow region E2, especially the downstream side closer to the tip opening 21, of the contact region between the charged material and the inner surface of the chute 20 gradually moves out of the range of the protective liner 22.

[0067] In Fig. 19(A), when the chute 20 reaches an inclination angle of 8 degrees close to the minimum angle of 0 degrees due to the angle adjustment operation, the chute 20 is in a state close to being upright, and about half of the charged material falls without contacting the protective liner 22 inside the chute 20. Therefore, the falling region E1 becomes half of an elliptical shape, and the distinct flow region E2 disappears. In this state, although not as much as in Fig. 18(B), a part of the contact region between the charged material and the inner surface of the chute 20, that is, a part of the falling region E1, is out of the range of the protective liner 22. In Fig. 19(B), when the chute 20 reaches 4 degrees even closer to the minimum inclination angle of 0 degrees due to the angle adjustment operation, the chute 20 is in a nearly upright state, and the first rotation axis D1 greatly deviates to the right side in the figure, and most of the charged material falls without contacting the protective liner 22 inside the chute 20. Therefore, in the region E1, only the end of the ellipse appears slightly at the right end in the figure, and the distinct flow region E2 disappears. In this state, the contact region (falling region E1 and flow region E2) between the charged material and the inner surface of the chute 20 is within the range of the protective liner 22.

[0068] Figures 20 and 21 show the flow of the charge when the swiveling operation of the chute 20 is in the second direction R2 and the angle adjustment operation is in the first course C1 (different from the present invention). Figure 20(A) shows the state where the inclination angle of the chute 20 is 50 degrees (maximum inclination angle). Similarly, Figure 20(B) shows the inclination angle of 28 degrees, Figure 21(A) shows the inclination angle of 8 degrees, and Figure 21(B) shows the inclination angle of 4 degrees.

[0069] In Figure 20(A), the charge falls into the falling region E1 of the chute 20 and flows toward the tip opening 21, depicting the flow region E2. Since the inclination angles are the same, the falling region E1 in Figure 20(A) is the same as in Figure 16(A). Also, since the swiveling direction is the same in the second direction R2, the flow region E2 in Figure 20(A) turns toward the rear side (lower side in the figure) in the swiveling direction due to the Coriolis force, similar to Figure 16(A). In this state, the contact region between the charge and the inner surface of the chute 20 (falling region E1 and flow region E2) is within the range of the protective liner 22.

[0070] In Figure 20(B), when the chute 20 reaches an intermediate inclination angle of 28 degrees (see Figure 7) due to the angle adjustment operation, due to the change in the inclination angle of the chute 20 and the change in the lowest position in the vertical direction in the cross-section perpendicular to the extended axis D3, the falling region E1 of the charge moves slightly to the right and downward in the figure compared to Figure 20(A), and the flow region E2 also moves downward in the figure. In this state, a part of the flow region E2, especially the downstream side closer to the tip opening 21, of the contact region between the charge and the inner surface of the chute 20 moves out of the range of the protective liner 22.

[0071] In Figure 21(A), when the chute 20 reaches an inclination angle of 8 degrees close to the minimum angle of 0 degrees due to the angle adjustment operation, the chute 20 is in a state close to being upright, and about half of the charge falls without contacting the protective liner 22 inside the chute 20. Therefore, the falling region E1 becomes half of an elliptical shape, and the distinct flow region E2 disappears. In this state, although not as much as in Figure 20(B), a part of the falling region E1 of the contact region between the charge and the inner surface of the chute 20 is out of the range of the protective liner 22. In FIG. 21(B), when the chute 20 is further inclined to 4 degrees closer to the minimum inclination angle of 0 degrees by the angle adjustment operation, the chute 20 is in a substantially upright state, and the first rotation axis D1 deviates greatly to the right side in the figure, and most of the charged materials fall without contacting the protective liner 22 in the chute 20. Therefore, in the region E1, only the end of the ellipse appears at the right end in the figure, and the clear flow region E2 disappears. In this state, the contact region (the falling region E1 and the flow region E2) between the charged material and the inner surface of the chute 20 is within the range of the protective liner 22.

[0072] Thus, for the setting based on the present invention (when the turning operation of the chute 20 in FIGS. 14 and 15 is in the first direction R1 and the angle adjustment operation is in the first course C1, and when the turning operation of the chute 20 in FIGS. 16 and 17 is in the second direction R2 and the angle adjustment operation is in the second course C2), the falling region E1 and the flow region E2 of the charged material can be made to fit within the range of the protective liner 22. On the other hand, for the setting different from the present invention (when the turning operation of the chute 20 in FIGS. 18 and 19 is in the first direction R1 and the angle adjustment operation is in the second course C2, and when the turning operation of the chute 20 in FIGS. 20 and 21 is in the second direction R2 and the angle adjustment operation is in the first course C1), as is clear in FIGS. 18(B) and 20(B) with intermediate inclination angles in particular, a part of the flow region E2 that turns due to the Coriolis force by the turning operation goes out of the range of the protective liner 22, and it can be seen that the protective liner 22 is insufficient.

[0073] 〔Second Embodiment〕 FIG. 22 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment has basically the same configuration as the first embodiment described above. Therefore, overlapping explanations for the common configurations are omitted, and the different configurations will be described below. In the first embodiment described above, a protective liner 22 as a surface protection layer is stretched on the inner surface of the chute 20, and this protective liner 22 is stretched in the range from the central angle of 70 degrees to 290 degrees (from the A70 azimuth to the A290 azimuth) over the entire length of the chute 20. In contrast, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, in the tip-side portion 20T of the chute 20 that is 15% of the total length of the chute 20 from the tip opening 21 side (the tip side in the extending direction) of the chute 20, a protective liner 24 similar to the protective liner 22 is stretched in the range of a central angle of 70 degrees to 290 degrees (from the A70 azimuth to the A290 azimuth). In the base-side portion of the chute 20 (the chute base-side portion 20B) that is more proximal than this tip-side portion 20T of the chute 20, the protective liner 22 is stretched in the range of a central angle of 90 degrees to 270 degrees (from the A90 azimuth to the A270 azimuth).

[0074] In such a present embodiment, in the tip-side portion 20T of the chute 20, since the protective liner 24 is stretched in the range of a central angle of 70 degrees to 290 degrees, it is possible to protect against contact with the loaded object by the protective liner 24 in a state where the inclination angle of the chute 20 is small as shown in FIG. 15 or FIG. 17. On the other hand, in the base-side portion 20B of the chute 20, since the protective liner 22 is set in the range of a central angle of 90 degrees to 270 degrees, the protective liner 22 can be further reduced.

[0075] 〔Third Embodiment〕 FIGS. 23 to 25 show the second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment has basically the same configuration as the first embodiment described above. Therefore, duplicate explanations for the common configurations are omitted, and the different configurations will be described below. In FIG. 23, in this embodiment, similar to the second embodiment described above, in the tip-side portion 20T of the chute 20 that is 15% of the total length of the chute 20 from the tip opening 21 side (the tip side in the extending direction) of the chute 20, the protective liner 24 is stretched in the range of a central angle of 70 degrees to 290 degrees (from the A70 azimuth to the A290 azimuth). In the base-side portion of the chute 20 (the chute base-side portion 20B) that is more proximal than this tip-side portion 20T of the chute 20, the protective liner 22 is stretched in the range of a central angle of 90 degrees to 270 degrees (from the A90 azimuth to the A270 azimuth).

[0076] Furthermore, in the base end side portion 20B of the chute, a notch 25 is formed in the chute 20 itself. The notch 25 is formed over substantially the entire length of the base end side portion 20B of the chute, extending from the A90 azimuth to the A270 azimuth on the upper side of the chute 20. By virtue of such a notch 25, reduction of the material of the chute 20 itself, accompanying cost reduction and weight reduction are achieved.

[0077] In FIG. 24, when the chute 20 is at the maximum inclination angle, the notch 25 is on the upper surface side of the chute 20. The charged material introduced from the duct 14 flows along the lower side of the chute 20 and is scattered from the tip opening 21. Therefore, even with the chute 20 having the notch 25 formed therein, there is no hindrance to the charged material. In FIG. 25, when the chute 20 is at the minimum inclination angle, the notch 25 causes the side surface of the chute 20 to be in a largely open state. However, the charged material introduced from the duct 14 falls inside the chute 20 and is scattered from the tip opening 21. At this time, as in FIG. 15 or FIG. 17 described above, a part of the charged material contacts the inner surface of the chute 20, but the notch 25 is provided in the base end side portion 20B of the chute, and since the chute 20 is complete around at the tip end side portion 20T of the chute, it is possible to prevent the charged material from leaking out. Therefore, even with the chute 20 having the notch 25 formed therein, there is no hindrance to the charged material. Thus, in the present embodiment, similar to the second embodiment described above, in the base end side portion 20B of the chute, the protective liner 22 can be further reduced, and also with respect to the chute 20 itself, material reduction corresponding to the notch 25 can be achieved.

[0078] 〔Other Embodiments〕 Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and modifications and the like within the scope capable of achieving the object of the present invention are included in the present invention. In each of the above embodiments, the tile-shaped protective liners 22, 24 stretched over the chute 20 are used as the surface protective layer formed in the lower region of the chute 20, but it may be a structure in which a wear-resistant material is continuously formed in the lower region of the chute 20, or a structure formed by subjecting the material of the chute 20 in the lower region to a wear-resistant process. In each of the above-described embodiments, for the region where the surface protection layer of the chute 20 is not formed, not limited to the lightweight liner 23 having less wear resistance than the protection liners 22 and 24, other wear-resistant surface treatments or the like may be applied.

[0079] In the second and third embodiments described above, the chute tip-side portion 20T was 15% of the tip side in the extending direction of the chute, but it may be 15% or more. In the first embodiment described above, the protection liner 22 is stretched over a range of a central angle of 70 degrees to 290 degrees. In the second and third embodiments, the protection liner 22 is stretched over a range of a central angle of 90 degrees to 270 degrees (chute base-end side portion 20B), and the protection liner 24 is stretched over a range of a central angle of 70 degrees to 290 degrees (chute tip-side portion 20T). However, for the protection liners 22 and 24 or other surface protection layers, different numerical ranges may be used according to the characteristics of the chute 20 or the charged material.

Industrial Applicability

[0080] The present invention can be used in a charging device, a charging control device, and a charging control method.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0081] 1... blast furnace, 10... charging device, 11... frame, 12... rotor, 13... holder, 14... duct, 15... slewing motor, 16... angle adjustment motor, 17... chute drive mechanism, 2... furnace body, 20... chute, 20B... chute base-end side portion, 20T... chute tip-side portion, 21... tip opening, 22, 24... protection liners, 23... treated surface, 25... notch, 9... control device, 91... top-of-furnace overall control device, 92... charging device control device, C1, C1R... first course, C2, C2R... second course, D1... first rotation axis, D2... second rotation axis, D3... extension axis, E1... falling region, E2... flowing region, L1... first locus, L2... second locus, P... point, Rt... radius, Rx... maximum radius, R1... first direction, R2... second direction.

Claims

1. A rotor supported by a frame and rotatable about a first vertical axis, A holder supported by the rotor and rotatable about a second axis forming a predetermined angle with respect to the first axis, A cylindrical chute supported by the holder, A control device for controlling a turning operation of rotating the rotor with respect to the frame to turn the chute and an angle adjustment operation of rotating the holder with respect to the rotor to adjust the inclination angle of the chute, The chute has an upper region and a lower region extending in the extending direction of the chute on the inner surface. When the chute is at the maximum inclination angle, with the upper end in the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extending axis of the chute being 0 degrees, the upper region ranges from a central angle of 90 degrees to 270 degrees through 0 degrees in the cross-sectional shape, and the lower region ranges from a central angle of 90 degrees to 270 degrees through 180 degrees in the cross-sectional shape, and a surface protection layer is formed at least in the lower region, The control device sets the rotation direction of the holder in the angle adjustment operation to be the same as the rotation direction of the rotor when the inclination angle of the chute is reduced, and sets the rotation direction of the holder to be opposite to the rotation direction of the rotor when the inclination angle of the chute is increased. A loading device characterized by this.

2. In the loading device according to Claim 1, The control device periodically reverses the turning direction of the chute during the turning operation. A loading device characterized by this.

3. In the loading device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, The surface protection layer is formed in a range of at least a central angle of 70 degrees to 290 degrees with the upper end in the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extending direction of the chute being 0 degrees when the chute is at the maximum inclination angle. A loading device characterized by this.

4. In the loading device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, In at least a 15% range of the tip side portion of the chute in the extending direction of the chute, in the tip side portion of the chute, when the chute is at the maximum inclination angle, with the upper end in the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extending direction of the chute being 0 degrees, the surface protection layer is formed in a range of at least a central angle of 70 degrees to 290 degrees. In the base end side portion of the chute excluding the tip side portion of the chute, the surface protection layer is formed in a range of at least a central angle of 90 degrees to 270 degrees with the upper end in the cross-sectional shape being 0 degrees. The loading device is characterized by this.

5. In the loading device according to claim 4, In the base end side portion of the chute, when the chute is at the maximum inclination angle, with the upper end in the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extending direction of the chute being 0 degrees, notches are formed in a range of at most ±90 degrees on both sides. The loading device is characterized by this.

6. It has a rotor supported by a frame and rotatable around a first vertical rotation axis, a holder supported by the rotor and rotatable around a second rotation axis forming a predetermined angle with respect to the first rotation axis, and a cylindrical chute supported by the holder. The chute has an upper region and a lower region extending in the extending direction of the chute on the inner surface. When the chute is at the maximum inclination angle, with the upper end in the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extending direction of the chute being 0 degrees, the upper region is in a range of a central angle of 90 degrees to 270 degrees passing through 0 degrees in the cross-sectional shape, and the lower region is in a range of a central angle of 90 degrees to 270 degrees passing through 180 degrees in the cross-sectional shape. It is connected to a loading device in which a surface protection layer is formed at least in the lower region. Controlling a turning operation for rotating the rotor with respect to the frame to turn the chute and an angle adjustment operation for rotating the holder with respect to the rotor to adjust the inclination angle of the chute, and setting the rotation direction of the holder in the angle adjustment operation to be the same as the rotation direction of the rotor when the inclination angle of the chute is decreased, and setting the rotation direction of the holder to be opposite to the rotation direction of the rotor when the inclination angle of the chute is increased. A charging control device characterized by this.

7. A charging device having a rotor supported by a frame and rotatable about a first vertical rotation axis, a holder supported by the rotor and rotatable about a second rotation axis forming a predetermined angle with respect to the first rotation axis, and a cylindrical chute supported by the holder. The chute has an upper region and a lower region extending in the extending direction of the chute on the inner surface. When the chute is at the maximum inclination angle, with the upper end in the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extending direction of the chute being set to 0 degrees, the upper region ranges from a central angle of 90 degrees to 270 degrees through 0 degrees in the cross-sectional shape, and the lower region ranges from a central angle of 90 degrees to 270 degrees through 180 degrees in the cross-sectional shape. Using a charging device in which a surface protection layer is formed at least in the lower region. Controlling a turning operation for rotating the rotor with respect to the frame to turn the chute and an angle adjustment operation for rotating the holder with respect to the rotor to adjust the inclination angle of the chute, and setting the rotation direction of the holder in the angle adjustment operation to be the same as the rotation direction of the rotor when the inclination angle of the chute is decreased, and setting the rotation direction of the holder to be opposite to the rotation direction of the rotor when the inclination angle of the chute is increased. A charging control method characterized by this.

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