Metallurgical furnace

Abstract

A metallurgical furnace (1) is provided having a hearth (2), a sidewall structure (3), and an enclosing cooling element structure (26) including cooling elements (12). Each cooling element (12) includes a planar back surface (13). A surrounding connecting structure (5) having a connecting portion (6) partially surrounds the enclosing surface (24). Adjacent connecting portions (6) of the surrounding connecting structure (5) are connected by an extension assembly (9). One or more planar back surfaces (13) of one or more cooling elements (12) are parallel to and supported in the horizontal direction of the metallurgical furnace (1) by at least one planar leveling means (43) of at least one connecting portion (6) of the surrounding connecting structure (5). The at least one cooling element (12) of the surrounding cooling element structure (26) is at least partially disposed between the surrounding surface (24) and the one of the coupling portions (6).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a metallurgical furnace as defined in the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0002] WO 2016 / 083668 discloses a metallurgical furnace having a robust structure and a long service life.

[0003] The present invention aims to provide a metallurgical furnace that is more durable and has a longer service life.

[0004] The metallurgical furnace according to the invention is characterized by what is stated in independent claim 1.

[0005] Further preferred embodiments of the metallurgical furnace are set forth in the dependent claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the following drawings: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a portion of a metallurgical furnace. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the metallurgical furnace of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of another configuration of a metallurgical furnace. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing the surrounding joint structure of the metallurgical furnace partially illustrated in FIG. 1; [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are views of the surrounding coupling structure illustrated in FIG. 4 as viewed from above or below. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing details of the surrounding coupling structure illustrated in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing details of the surrounding coupling structure illustrated in FIG. 4. [Figure 8] 5 shows an extension assembly of the surrounding coupling structure illustrated in FIG. 4. [Figure 9] 5 is a diagram showing a coupling portion of the surrounding coupling structure illustrated in FIG. 4. FIG. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0007] Subsequently, the metallurgical furnace 1 and some embodiments and variants thereof will be described in more detail.

[0008] Metallurgical furnace 1 includes hearth 2 having surrounding surface 24 .

[0009] Metallurgical furnace 1 includes a sidewall structure 3 extending upwardly from a hearth 2 of metallurgical furnace 1 .

[0010] Metallurgical furnace 1 includes a surrounding cooling element structure 26 having cooling elements 12. Each of the cooling elements 12 of surrounding cooling element structure 26 has a flat back surface 13. Each of the cooling elements 12 of surrounding cooling element structure 26 may also have a flat heat transfer surface (not shown) parallel to the flat back surface. Cooling elements 12 having a flat back surface 13 and preferably also a flat heat transfer surface allow for easier manufacturing of cooling elements with curved surfaces. The good cooling capacity of cooling elements 12 having a flat back surface 13 and preferably also a flat heat transfer surface results in a more durable structure for metallurgical furnace 1, resulting in a longer service life for metallurgical furnace 1.

[0011] The cooling elements 12 may be made of, for example, a copper-containing material. The number of cooling elements 12 in the surrounding cooling element structure 26 is, for example, 30 to 80.

[0012] The metallurgical furnace 1 includes a metallic surrounding structure 5 that at least partially surrounds the surrounding surface 24 of the hearth 2 of the metallurgical furnace 1 .

[0013] The surrounding joint structure 5 includes metal joints 6, each of which includes at least one flat-plate leveling means 43. The at least one flat-plate leveling means 43 may be a continuous surface, or several flat surface components (not shown) may form the at least one flat-plate leveling means 43 as a whole. The at least one flat-plate leveling means 43 uniformly presses the cooling elements 12, allowing them to maintain a planar shape and not bend adversely, thereby providing a more durable structure for the metallurgical furnace 1 and extending its service life. The number of joints 6 in the surrounding joint structure 5 is, for example, 15 to 40. Adjacent joints 6 of the surrounding joint structure 5 are connected by extension assemblies 9 configured to allow relative movement between adjacent joints 6 of the surrounding joint structure 5 and to press the adjacent joints 6 of the surrounding joint structure 5 against each other. The extension assemblies 9 allow the joints 6 of the surrounding joint structure 5 to move independently of each other. The advantage of this is that the surrounding joint structure 5 can automatically adapt to local peaks in thermal expansion, in other words the furnace 1 automatically adapts to local thermal expansion of one or more joints 6 in the surrounding joint structure 5 more than other joints 6 in the surrounding joint structure 5. This results in a more durable structure and a longer service life.

[0014] The surrounding cooling element structure 26 is at least partially, preferably partially, surrounded by the surrounding connecting structure 5. Because the surrounding cooling element structure 26 thus vertically cools other parts of the metallurgical furnace 1 in addition to the hearth 2, and because the surrounding cooling element structure 26 is pressed by the surrounding connecting structure 5 against the surrounding surface 24 of the hearth 2 by the surrounding cooling element structure 26, the metallurgical furnace 1 is provided with a more durable structure, resulting in a longer service life for the metallurgical furnace 1.

[0015] At least one flat back surface 13 of at least one cooling element 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26 is parallel to at least one flat leveling means 43 of one connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5 and is supported in the horizontal direction of the metallurgical furnace 1 by the at least one flat leveling means 43 of one connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5. The at least one cooling element 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26 is at least partially, preferably partially, located between the surrounding surface 24 of the hearth 2 of the metallurgical furnace 1 and the at least one flat leveling means 43 of one connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5.

[0016] At least 50%, preferably at least 75%, and more preferably at least 90% of the flat back surfaces 13 of the cooling elements 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26 are parallel to the at least one flat leveling means 43 of one connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5 and are supported in the horizontal direction of the metallurgical furnace 1 by the at least one flat leveling means 43 of one connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5. This results in a more durable structure and a longer service life.

[0017] Preferably, but not necessarily, the flat back surfaces 13 of all cooling elements 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26 are parallel to at least one flat leveling means 43 of one connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5 and are supported in the horizontal direction of the metallurgical furnace 1 by at least one flat leveling means 43 of the at least one connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5. This results in a more durable structure and a longer service life.

[0018] At least 50%, preferably at least 75%, and more preferably at least 90% of the cooling elements 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26 are at least partially located between the surrounding surface 24 of the hearth 2 of the metallurgical furnace 1 and the aforementioned one connection 6 of the surrounding connection structure 5. This results in a more durable structure and a longer service life.

[0019] Preferably, but not necessarily, all cooling elements 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26 are at least partially located between the surrounding surface 24 of the hearth 2 of the metallurgical furnace 1 and the at least one flat leveling means 43 of the at least one connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5. This results in a more durable structure and a longer service life.

[0020] The flat-surface leveling means 43 of the connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5 allows a cooling element 12 having a flat back surface 13 to be used in the surrounding cooling element structure 26. When the surrounding cooling element structure 26 is partially positioned between the surrounding surface 24 of the hearth 2 of the metallurgical furnace 1 and the at least one connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5 so that the surrounding cooling element structure 26 does not completely surround the surrounding surface 24 of the hearth 2, as in the metallurgical furnace 1 shown in Figure 3, the hearth 2 of the metallurgical furnace 1 will be pressed uniformly as a whole without local pressure peaks, both indirectly through the surrounding cooling element structure 26 and directly by the surrounding connecting structure 5. This results in a more durable structure and a longer service life.

[0021] The flat surface leveling means 43 of the connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5 allows the use of cooling elements 12 having flat back surfaces 13 in the surrounding cooling element structure 26, and when the surrounding cooling element structure 26 completely surrounds the surrounding surface 24 of the hearth 2 of the metallurgical furnace 1 between the surrounding surface 24 of the hearth 2 of the metallurgical furnace 1 and the at least one connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5, as in the metallurgical furnace 1 shown in Figure 2, the hearth 2 of the metallurgical furnace 1 will be indirectly and uniformly pressed as a whole through the surrounding cooling element structure 26. This results in a more durable structure and a longer service life.

[0022] By providing the surrounding connecting structure 5 with the connecting portion 6 having such a flat leveling means 43 and using cooling elements 12 having flat back surfaces 13 in the surrounding cooling element structure 26, the at least one cooling element 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26 can be partially disposed between the surrounding surface 24 of the hearth 2 of the metallurgical furnace 1 and the at least one connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5. This has the advantage that the surrounding cooling element structure 26 can also effectively cool the hearth 2 of the metallurgical furnace 1. The hearth 2 is a part of the metallurgical furnace that is subject to thermal expansion, and effective pressing and cooling against the hearth extends the service life of, for example, the continuous layer 41 of refractory material that the hearth 2 may contain. The metallurgical furnace 1 may be, for example, a pyrometallurgical furnace or an electric arc furnace.

[0023] The hearth 2 and sidewall structure 3 preferably, but not necessarily, at least partially confine a furnace space 37 configured to contain a melt containing molten material, e.g., molten metal. Energy means 38, such as electrodes or oxygen-containing gas supply lances, may be configured to provide increased thermal energy levels to the furnace space 37 by positioning the energy means 38 at least partially within the furnace space 37, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The energy means 38 may be substantially concentric with the sidewall structure 3, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, such that thermal energy is provided to a center of the metallurgical furnace space 37 and travels from the center of the metallurgical furnace space 37 toward the sidewall structure 2 and toward the metallurgical furnace hearth.

[0024] The metallurgical furnace 1 may have a discharge port (not shown) for discharging molten material, such as molten metal, from the furnace space 37 .

[0025] The metallurgical furnace 1 may have a discharge port (not shown) for discharging slag from the furnace space 37 .

[0026] The metallurgical furnace 1 may have a concrete foundation 39 as shown. A cooled support structure 40 may be provided between the metallurgical furnace hearth 2 and the concrete foundation 39 as shown.

[0027] The hearth 2 comprises at least one continuous layer 41 of refractory material, which is laterally bounded by the surrounding surface 24 of the hearth 2. The at least one continuous layer 41 of refractory material may comprise refractory bricks or refractory material capable of withstanding temperatures of at least 500°C, preferably at least 1,000°C.

[0028] The sidewall structure 3 has at least one continuous surrounding upright refractory layer 42 which is in thermal contact with the surrounding cooling element structure 26 either directly or indirectly, for example by means of mortar or the like, so that the surrounding cooling element structure 26 cools said at least one continuous surrounding upright refractory layer 42. said at least one continuous surrounding upright refractory layer 42 may comprise refractory bricks or refractory material capable of withstanding temperatures of at least 500°C, preferably at least 1,000°C.

[0029] Each joint 6 of the surrounding joint structure 5 may have a side edge 25 .

[0030] When each joint 6 of the surrounding connection structure 5 has a side edge 25, adjacent side edges 25 of each joint 6 of the surrounding connection structure 5 are preferably, but not necessarily, adjacently arranged by the extension assembly 9 so that the extension assembly 9 can move relative to the side edges 25 of adjacent joints 6 of the surrounding connection structure 5 and so that the extension assembly 9 can press the side edges 25 of adjacent joints 6 of the surrounding connection structure 5 in opposite directions as in the illustrated embodiment.

[0031] In some embodiments of the metallurgical furnace 1, each connection portion 6 of the surrounding connection structure 5 preferably, but not necessarily, has two attachment means 14. In such embodiments of the metallurgical furnace 1, the two attachment means 14 of each connection portion 6 of the surrounding connection structure 5 are spaced apart such that adjacent connection portions 6 of the surrounding connection structure 5 form adjacent attachment means 14. In such embodiments of the metallurgical furnace 1, adjacent attachment means 14 of the surrounding connection structure 5 are at substantially the same vertical height of the metallurgical furnace 1 and are connected by extension assemblies 9.

[0032] In the enclosing structure 5, adjacent joints 6 of the enclosing structure 5 are preferably, but not necessarily, connected by extension assemblies 9 that extend between attachment means 14 provided on adjacent joints 6 of the enclosing structure 5. Each joint 6 of the enclosing structure 5 preferably, but not necessarily, has at least two attachment means 14. The attachment means 14 may take the form of or include a flange. By flange in this context is meant a plate-like structure whose thickness is essentially less than its lateral dimensions, e.g., width and length.

[0033] Where each connection portion 6 of the surrounding structure 5 has a side edge 25 and adjacent connection portions 6 of the surrounding structure 5 are connected by extension assemblies 9 that extend between attachment means 14 provided on adjacent connection portions 6 of the surrounding structure 5, the attachment means 14 is preferably, but not necessarily, provided on the side edge 25 of said adjacent connection portions 6 of the surrounding structure 5, as shown in the drawings. In such a case, the attachment means 14 of adjacent connection portions 6 are preferably, but not necessarily, substantially parallel to the surrounding structure 5, as shown in the drawings. Alternatively, the attachment means 14 may be provided in a different manner, such as spaced apart from the side edge 25 of each connection portion 6 of the surrounding structure 5.

[0034] When adjacent joints 6 of the surrounding connection structure 5 are connected by extension assemblies 9 and the extension assemblies 9 extend between the attachment means 14 provided on the adjacent joints 6 of the surrounding connection structure 5, at least one of the extension assemblies 9 preferably, but not necessarily, includes a first compressible member 29 on one side of the two attachment means 14 formed by the two adjacent joints 6 of the surrounding connection structure 5, and a second compressible member 30 on the opposite side of the two attachment means 14 formed by the two adjacent joints 6 of the surrounding connection structure 5. The first compressible member 29 and the second compressible member 30 are operatively interconnected to allow relative movement between said two attachment means 14 formed by two adjacent coupling portions 6 of the enclosing connection structure 5, and further to move said two attachment means 14 formed by two adjacent coupling portions 6 of the enclosing connection structure 5 towards each other. In such a case, said at least one of the extension assemblies 9 preferably, but not necessarily, includes a rod 15 passing through said two attachment means 14 formed by two adjacent coupling portions 6 of the enclosing connection structure 5. In this case, the first compressible member 29 includes a first resilient device 16 surrounding the rod 15 on one side of the two aforementioned attachment means 14, and a first adjustable retainer 17 configured so that the first resilient device 16 embraces the rod 15, and the first adjustable retainer 17 is further configured to hold the first resilient device 16 between the first adjustable retainer 17 and the two adjacent attachment means 14 in a compressible state before compression. In such a case, the second compressible member 30 includes a second resilient device 18 surrounding the rod 15 on the other side of the two attachment means 14, and a second adjustable retainer 19 configured so that the second resilient device 18 embraces the rod 15, and the second adjustable retainer 19 is further configured to hold the second resilient device 18 between the second adjustable retainer 19 and the two adjacent attachment means 14 in a compressible state before compression.In other words, the rod 15 operatively interconnects a first compressible member 29, including a first resilient device 16 and a first adjustable retainer 17, with a second compressible member 30, including a second resilient device 18 and a second adjustable retainer 19. Such a tensioning assembly 9 provides sufficient force, is durable, and has a long service life. At least one of the first resilient device 16 and the second resilient device 18 may include a disc spring.

[0035] Each joint 6 of the surrounding joint structure 5 preferably, but not necessarily, defines an upper edge 20 and a corresponding lower edge 21. Adjacent joints 6 of the surrounding joint structure 5 may be connected by extension assemblies 9 such that extension assemblies 9 extend between attachment means 14 attached between the upper and lower edges 20, 21 of adjacent joints 6 of the surrounding joint structure 5.

[0036] Each connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5 may have an upper support means 22 and a lower support means 23. The upper support means 22 and the lower support means 23 may form part of the at least one flat-plate-like leveling means 43 that the connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5 has.

[0037] The upper support means 22 may, for example, take the form of or include a flange, or may be or include a plate-like structure having a thickness that is essentially less than its lateral dimensions, for example, width and length.

[0038] The lower support means 23 may, for example, take the form of or include a flange, or may be, for example, a plate-like structure having a thickness that is essentially smaller than its lateral dimensions, such as width and length.

[0039] Adjacent joints 6 of the surrounding structure 5 may be connected by extension assemblies 9 such that the extension assemblies 9 extend between the attachment means 14 attached to the upper and lower support means 22, 23 of adjacent joints 6 of the surrounding structure 5. Adjacent joints 6 of the surrounding structure 5 may be connected by extension assemblies 9 such that the extension assemblies 9 extend between the attachment means 14 provided between the upper and lower support means 22, 23 of adjacent joints 6 of the surrounding structure 5. The advantage of this is that the pressure on the surrounding surface 24 of the hearth is evenly distributed, and the pressure on the surrounding cooling element structure 26 is evenly distributed, thereby maintaining the shape of the hearth 2 and the cooling elements 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26. This in turn results in more efficient cooling, a more durable structure for the metallurgical furnace 1, and an extended service life for the metallurgical furnace 1.

[0040] Such upper support means 22 and such lower support means 23 are preferably, but not necessarily, substantially parallel. The upper support means 22 may be utilized to connect the surrounding bonding structure 22 to a possible metal surrounding sidewall support structure 4, as shown in the drawings. The lower support means 23 may be utilized to connect the surrounding bonding structure 22 to a possible cooled support structure 40, as shown in the drawings.

[0041] At least one intermediate support structure 44 may be provided between the available upper support means 22 and the available lower support means 23. The at least one intermediate support structure 44 may form part of the at least one flat leveling means 43 of the connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connection structure 5. Furthermore, the extension assembly 9 may be connected to such at least one intermediate support structure 44. The at least one intermediate support structure 44 makes the connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connection structure 5 stiffer and more rigid, thereby allowing the connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connection structure 5 to better maintain its shape and thus evenly press against the hearth 2 of the metallurgical furnace 1 over a wide area of ​​the connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connection structure 5.

[0042] The surrounding bonding structure 5 may extend vertically to a height above the surrounding surface 24 of the hearth 2 of the metallurgical furnace 1 and / or to a height below the surrounding surface 24 of the hearth 2 of the metallurgical furnace 1. In the embodiment of the metallurgical furnace 1 shown in the drawings, with particular reference to Figures 2 and 3, the surrounding bonding structure 5 extends vertically to a height above the surrounding surface 24 of the hearth 2 of the metallurgical furnace 1. However, the surrounding bonding structure 5 may also extend vertically to a height below the surrounding surface 24 of the hearth 2 of the metallurgical furnace 1, or the surrounding bonding structure 5 may only extend vertically to a height below the surrounding surface 24 of the hearth 2 of the metallurgical furnace 1.

[0043] The ratio of the number of connecting portions 6 in the surrounding connecting structure 5 to the number of cooling elements 12 in the surrounding cooling element structure 26 is preferably, but not necessarily, 1 to N, where N is 2 to 8, preferably 2 to 4, and more preferably 2. This means that the number of cooling elements 12 in the surrounding connecting structure 26 is preferably, but not necessarily, 2 to 8 times the number of connecting portions 6 in the surrounding connecting structure 5, more preferably, but not necessarily, 2 to 4 times the number of cooling elements 12 in the surrounding connecting structure 26, and most preferably, the number of cooling elements 12 in the surrounding connecting structure 26 is preferably, but not necessarily, 2 times the number of connecting portions 6 in the surrounding connecting structure 5. This results in a rigid structure that is simultaneously stiff and flexible. The number of connections 6 in the surrounding connection structure 5 may be, for example, at least 15, preferably 15 to 40, and the number of cooling elements 12 in the surrounding cooling element structure 26 may be, for example, at least 30, preferably 30 to 80. This results in a rigid structure that is simultaneously stiff and flexible.

[0044] Preferably, but not necessarily, adjacent joints 6 of the surrounding joint structure 5 are configured so that at least 25%, preferably at least 50%, and more preferably at least 75% of the second seams 28 formed between two adjacent joints 6 of the surrounding joint structure 5 in the surrounding direction of the surrounding joint structure 5 overlap, as shown in Figures 5 to 7. This makes the surrounding joint structure 5 more rigid.

[0045] 5-7, the adjacent cooling elements 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26 are preferably, but not necessarily, configured to overlap at least 25%, preferably at least 50%, and more preferably at least 75% of the first seam 27 formed between two adjacent cooling elements 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26 in the surrounding direction of the surrounding cooling element structure 26. This makes the surrounding bonded structure 5 more rigid.

[0046] The metallurgical furnace 1 may also include a sensor device (not shown) configured to measure the relative movement between at least two adjacent joints 6 of the surrounding joint structure 5, thereby enabling the measurement of the thermal expansion of the hearth 2 of the metallurgical furnace 1. The sensor device may be manually, automatically or remotely operated.

[0047] At least 25%, preferably at least 50%, and more preferably at least 90% of the first joints 27 formed between two adjacent cooling elements 12 in the surrounding cooling element structure 26 are preferably, but not necessarily, misaligned with the second joints 28 formed between at least two adjacent joints 6 in the surrounding joint structure 5 at the vertical height of the surrounding joint structure 5 of the metallurgical furnace 1. This results in a rigid structure that is simultaneously stiff and flexible, because the first joints 27 and second joints 28 are not aligned.

[0048] At least 25%, preferably at least 50%, and more preferably at least 90% of the first joints 27 formed between two adjacent cooling elements 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26 are located in the radial direction of the furnace 1, preferably, but not necessarily, at a joint 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5 at a vertical height of the surrounding connecting structure 5 of the furnace 1. Furthermore, at least 25%, preferably at least 50%, and more preferably at least 90% of the second joints 28 formed between at least two adjacent joints 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5 are located in the radial direction of the furnace 1, at a joint 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5 to the cooling elements 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26 at a vertical height of the surrounding connecting structure 5 of the furnace 1. This results in a rigid structure that is both stiff and flexible. This is because the first seam 27 and the second seam 28 are not aligned.

[0049] The at least one flat leveling means 43 of the at least one connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connection structure 5 is preferably, but not necessarily, at least partially formed by a planar metal plate 8 of the flat portion 7 of the at least one connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connection structure 5, as shown in the drawings. Such a planar metal plate 8 distributes pressure between the connecting portion 6, the cooling element 12, and the surrounding surface 24 of the hearth 2. The uniform pressure ensures that the cooling element 12 does not bend, resulting in effective cooling and a more durable structure for the metallurgical furnace 1, extending the service life of the metallurgical furnace 1.

[0050] At least one connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5 preferably, but not necessarily, has at least two flat leveling means 43 arranged at an angle to one another.

[0051] In the case where at least two flat leveling means 43 are provided at an angle to one another at at least one connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5, each of the flat leveling means 43 of the at least two flat leveling means 43 of the at least one connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5 is preferably, but not necessarily, parallel to the flat back surface 13 of each of the cooling means 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26. Furthermore, each of the flat leveling means 43 of the at least two flat leveling means 43 of the at least one connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5 is preferably, but not necessarily, parallel to a portion of the flat back surface 13 of each of the cooling means 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26 located at the vertical height of the metallurgical furnace 1, and supports this portion in the horizontal direction of the metallurgical furnace 1. The angled planar leveling means 43 help distribute the pressure between the joint 6, the cooling elements 12, and the surrounding surface 24 of the hearth 2, and also promote pressure at the first joints 27 between adjacent cooling means 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26. The uniform pressure prevents the cooling elements 12 from bending, resulting in effective cooling and a more durable structure for the metallurgical furnace 1, extending the useful life of the metallurgical furnace 1.

[0052] At least one connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5 preferably, but not necessarily, has at least three planar leveling means 43 arranged at an angle to one another, as shown in the drawings. First, a first planar leveling means 43 of the at least three planar leveling means 43 is parallel to the planar back surface 13 of the first cooling means 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26 and supports, in the horizontal direction of the metallurgical furnace 1, substantially the entire planar back surface 13 of the first cooling means 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26, which is located in the vertical height of the metallurgical furnace 1 at the at least one connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5, in the central region 31 of the at least one connecting portion 6. Secondly, the second flat-plate-shaped smoothing means 43 of the at least three flat-plate-shaped smoothing means 43 is parallel to the flat back surface 13 of the second cooling means 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26 and supports a first area 34 that is part of the flat back surface 13 of the second cooling means 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26, which is positioned at the vertical height of the metallurgical furnace 1 at the at least one connecting portion 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5, at the first side region 32 of the at least one connecting portion 6. Third, the third flat leveling means 43 of the at least three flat leveling means 43 is parallel to the flat back surface 13 of the third cooling means 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26 and supports, at the second side region 33 of the at least one joint 6, a second area 35 that is part of the flat back surface 13 of the third cooling means 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26 located at the vertical height of the metallurgical furnace 1 at the at least one joint 6 of the surrounding connecting structure 5. Such flat leveling means 43 arranged at an angle to one another promote the distribution of pressure between the joint 6, the cooling elements 12, and the surrounding surface 24 of the hearth 2, and further promote the pressure at the first joint 27 between adjacent cooling means 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26. Uniform pressure prevents bending of the cooling element 12, resulting in effective cooling and a more durable structure for the metallurgical furnace 1, extending the useful life of the metallurgical furnace 1.

[0053] The cooling means 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26 may or may not be attached to the joints 6 of the surrounding bonded structure 5. If they are not attached, the cooling elements 12 are movable relative to the joints 6 of the surrounding bonded structure 5.

[0054] The cooling elements 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26 preferably, but not necessarily, have channels (not shown) formed therein. At least some of the channels are preferably, but not necessarily, formed at least partially from the material of the cooling element 12. This results in the fluid circulating through the conduits being in direct contact with the material of the cooling element 12, which also forms the heat transfer surfaces (not shown) of the cooling element 12, at least in part through the channels. This results in excellent heat transfer between the heat transfer surfaces and the fluid flowing within the channels, resulting in effective cooling and a more durable structure for the metallurgical furnace 1, extending the useful life of the metallurgical furnace 1. The cooling elements may be a series of cast cooling elements.

[0055] The metallurgical furnace may have a metallic surrounding sidewall support structure 4 at least partially surrounding the surrounding cooling element structure 26, as shown in the drawings, in which case the cooling elements 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26 are attached to the surrounding sidewall support structure 4.

[0056] If the metallurgical furnace has a metallic surrounding sidewall support structure 4 at least partially surrounding the surrounding cooling element structure 26, the surrounding sidewall support structure 4 may have sidewall structure steps 10 positioned above and connected to the surrounding connection structure 5, as shown in the drawings. The sidewall structure steps 10 have sidewall sections 11, each having one cooling element 12 of the surrounding cooling element structure 26 attached thereto. The sidewall structure steps 10 are preferably, but not necessarily, connected to the surrounding connection structure 5 by flexible connection means that allow the sidewall structure steps 10 of the surrounding sidewall support structure 4 to move relative to the surrounding connection structure 5, for example as a result of thermal expansion, as shown in the drawings. Adjacent sidewall sections 11 of the sidewall structure step 10 are preferably, but not necessarily, connected together by flexible connecting means that allow adjacent sidewall sections 11 of the sidewall structure step 10 to move relative to one another, for example as a result of thermal expansion, as shown in the drawings.

[0057] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that with the advancement of technology, the basic idea of ​​the present invention can be implemented in various ways. Therefore, the present invention and its embodiments are not limited to the above examples, but can vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. a hearth having an enclosing surface; a sidewall structure extending upwardly from the hearth of the metallurgical furnace; a surrounding cooling element structure including cooling elements, each cooling element including a flat back surface, the metallurgical furnace comprising: a metallic surrounding structure at least partially surrounding the surrounding surface of the hearth of the metallurgical furnace; The surrounding joint structure has metal joints each including at least one flat surface leveling means; Adjacent joint portions of the surrounding joint structure are connected by a tensioning assembly configured to move the adjacent joint portions of the surrounding joint structure relative to each other and press the adjacent joint portions of the surrounding joint structure in opposite directions; the surrounding cooling element structure is at least partially surrounded by the surrounding bonding structure; At least one flat back surface included in at least one cooling element of the surrounding cooling element structure is parallel to at least one flat leveling means of one connecting portion of the surrounding connecting structure and is supported in the horizontal direction of the metallurgical furnace by the at least one flat leveling means of one connecting portion of the surrounding connecting structure; A metallurgical furnace, characterized in that the at least one cooling element of the surrounding cooling element structure is at least partially disposed between the surrounding surface of the hearth of the metallurgical furnace and the one joint of the surrounding joint structure.

2. 2. The metallurgical furnace of claim 1, the hearth includes at least one continuous layer of refractory material; 10. A metallurgical furnace, wherein said at least one continuous layer of refractory material is laterally bounded by the surrounding surface of said hearth.

3. 3. The metallurgical furnace according to claim 1, the sidewall structure includes at least one continuous, surrounding, upright fire-resistant layer; the at least one continuous surrounding upright refractory layer is in thermal contact with the surrounding cooling element structure; 1. A metallurgical furnace, wherein the at least one continuous, surrounding, upright refractory layer completely surrounds laterally a furnace space configured to contain molten material, such as molten material containing molten metal.

4. 4. The metallurgical furnace according to claim 1, 1. A metallurgical furnace comprising: adjacent joints of said surrounding joint structure connected by extension assemblies such that the extension assemblies extend between attachment means provided on adjacent joints of said surrounding joint structure.

5. 5. The metallurgical furnace according to claim 1, The metallurgical furnace is characterized in that the surrounding bond structure extends vertically to a height above the surrounding surface of the hearth of the metallurgical furnace and / or to a height below the surrounding surface of the hearth of the metallurgical furnace.

6. 6. The metallurgical furnace according to claim 1, A metallurgical furnace characterized in that the ratio of the number of bonding portions in the surrounding bonding structure to the number of cooling elements in the surrounding cooling element structure is 1 to N, where N is 2 to 8, more preferably 2 to 4, and most preferably 2.

7. 7. The metallurgical furnace according to claim 1, The number of bonding portions in the surrounding bonding structure is at least 15, preferably 15 to 40; A metallurgical furnace, characterized in that the number of cooling elements in the surrounding cooling element structure is at least 30, preferably 30 to 80.

8. 8. The metallurgical furnace according to claim 1, A metallurgical furnace characterized in that the at least one flat-plate-shaped surface-leveling means of at least one joint portion of the surrounding joint structure is formed at least in part by a flat metal plate of the flat portion of the at least one joint portion of the surrounding joint structure.

9. 9. The metallurgical furnace according to claim 1, A metallurgical furnace, wherein the cooling elements of the surrounding cooling element structure are not attached to the joints of the surrounding joint structure.

10. 10. The metallurgical furnace according to claim 1, a metallic surrounding sidewall support structure surrounding at least a portion of the surrounding cooling element structure; 10. A metallurgical furnace according to claim 9, wherein the cooling elements of said surrounding cooling element structure are mounted to said surrounding sidewall support structure.

11. 11. The metallurgical furnace according to claim 1, 10. A metallurgical furnace, wherein the surrounding cooling element structure is partially surrounded by the surrounding bonding structure.

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