Smelt Spout Cleaning Assembly

Abstract

An assembly for cleaning a smelt spout includes a cleaning head, a drive rod connected to the cleaning head, and a pneumatic or other drive source connected to selectively extend or retract the drive rod. The drive rod may be connected to the cleaning head by a pivotal coupling. The cleaning head may be bifurcated. The cleaning head may include a leading edge configured to engage and clean an opening in the spout through which smelt from the chemical reduction furnace enters the spout. The assembly may further include a pivot point, such that as the drive source selectively extends the drive rod, torque about the pivot point generated by the cleaning head and the extended portion of the drive rod rotates the cleaning head downward into engagement with the smelt spout.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to recovery boilers, kraft wood pulping processes, and related fields.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 031,172, entitled "Smelt Spout Cleaning Assembly and Process," filed May 28, 2020. U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 031,172, entitled "Smelt Spout Cleaning Assembly and Process," filed May 28, 2020, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [Background technology]

[0003] Converting wood into wood pulp is typically done using the Kraft process. Wood chips are cooked in a mixture containing water, sodium hydroxide, and sodium sulfide. This mixture, commonly called white liquor, helps separate the cellulose fibers (wood pulp) from the lignin that holds the fibers together. The separated cellulose fibers are then removed, typically leaving behind a waste product called black liquor.

[0004] Recovering and reusing cooking chemicals from the dark liquor is desirable to control costs associated with the papermaking process. During the recovery process, the dark liquor is concentrated into a solution containing approximately 65 to 80 percent solids. The concentrated solution is sometimes sprayed into the interior volume of a chemical reduction furnace, also known as a recovery boiler. In the chemical reduction furnace, the organic matter in the dark liquor is burned through various processes, including evaporation, gasification, pyrolysis, oxidation, and reduction, reducing the dark liquor to a molten smelt of spent cooking chemicals. The molten smelt exits the chemical reduction furnace through the boiler outlet port and flows along the smelt spout into a recovery tank.

[0005] Boiler outlet ports and smelt spouts are designed to discharge molten smelt from the furnace's internal volume at a desired rate that maintains a safe smelt level within the furnace and furnace efficiency. Typically, molten smelt exits the boiler at a temperature of approximately 1000°C, and upon contact with ambient air, the tail of the smelt stream cools sufficiently to harden. This hardening can result in deposits and / or a hardened crust on top of the molten smelt at the outlet opening and / or smelt spout. Hardened smelt is undesirable and can block the flow of molten smelt, thereby reducing the efficiency of the outlet port and smelt spout and resulting in undesirably high smelt levels within the furnace. Furthermore, reduced smelt flow can result in the molten smelt remaining in the smelt spout longer, increasing the time the smelt is exposed to ambient temperatures and increasing the likelihood of additional hardened deposits forming.

[0006] High smelt levels in furnaces are undesirable because they can result in or otherwise cause operational concerns and / or difficulties. For example, high smelt levels can result in inefficient and unpredictable furnace operation, such as a reduction in the amount of recoverable chemicals, a reduction in process steam emitted from the furnace boiler tubes, and an increase in the emission of harmful gases such as carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. Furthermore, hardened blockages and / or restricted flow can cause molten smelt to splash out of the spout, resulting in undesirable operating conditions and / or localized damage. In extreme blockage conditions, smelt can build up in the furnace to dangerous levels, resulting in corrosion, fire, reduced operation, boiler failure, and / or smelt spillage.

[0007] Typically, hardened deposits are manually removed from the outlet port and spout at regular intervals. Typically, in a process called "rodding," a worker holds a long rod with a tool attached to the distal end that scrapes the hardened deposits from the spout and / or outlet port. Manual rodding is physically demanding work that is susceptible to inefficiencies or improper cleaning. The smelt spout is typically cooled by circulating water in a cooling jacket around the spout. Improper rodding risks rupturing the cooling jacket, which can result in an explosion or other undesirable condition.

[0008] Several improvements are disclosed herein. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] By way of non-limiting example, in some illustrative embodiments disclosed herein, an assembly for cleaning a smelt spout is disclosed. The assembly includes a cleaning head, a drive rod connected to the cleaning head, and a drive source connected to selectively extend or retract the drive rod. In some embodiments, the drive source includes a pneumatic drive. In some embodiments, the drive rod is connected to the cleaning head by a pivotal connection. In some embodiments, the cleaning head has a length, the length including a curved profile. In some embodiments, the cleaning head is bifurcated. In some embodiments, the cleaning head includes a leading edge configured to engage and clean an opening in the spout through which smelt from a chemical reduction furnace enters the spout. In some embodiments, the assembly further includes a pivot point, and as the drive source selectively extends the drive rod, torque about the pivot point generated by the cleaning head and the extended portion of the drive rod rotates the cleaning head downward into engagement with the smelt spout.

[0010] In some illustrative embodiments disclosed herein by way of non-limiting example, a smelt spout assembly includes a smelt spout and an assembly described in the immediately preceding paragraph adapted to clean the smelt spout. In some embodiments, the arrangement is by connection with the smelt spout or with a housing of the smelt spout for cleaning the smelt spout. In some embodiments, the assembly is mounted on an articulated arm, allowing the assembly to swing away from the smelt spout.

[0011] By way of non-limiting example, several illustrative embodiments disclosed herein disclose a method for cleaning a smelt spout. The method includes extending a drive rod to which a cleaning head is pivotally attached. In response to the extension, the cleaning head is pivoted about a second pivot point, lowering the cleaning head onto the smelt spout and then moving the cleaning head along the spout to clean it. Optionally, the method further includes, in response to the extension, moving the cleaning head at least partially into an opening of the spout to clean the opening. In some embodiments, the method further includes retracting the drive arm. In response to the retraction, the cleaning head is pulled back along the spout, and then pivoting the cleaning head about the second pivot point to raise the cleaning head to a rest position away from the smelt spout.

[0012] By way of non-limiting example, in some illustrative embodiments disclosed herein, an assembly for cleaning a smelt spout is disclosed. The assembly includes a drive rod; a cleaning head pivotally attached to the cleaning head; a drive source connected to selectively extend or retract the drive rod; and a second pivot point about which the cleaning head rotates to selectively lower the cleaning head in response to driving the drive rod to extend and to selectively raise the cleaning head in response to driving the drive rod to retract. In some embodiments, the drive source includes a pneumatic drive. In some embodiments, the cleaning head is bifurcated. In some embodiments, the cleaning head includes a leading edge configured to extend at least partially into the opening of the spout. In some embodiments, the assembly further includes a stabilizing rod parallel to the drive rod and attached to the drive rod by a link, the stabilizing rod extending or retracting together with the drive rod; and an elongated locking mechanism including a collar through which the stabilizing rod passes, the collar secured to the drive source.

[0013] In some illustrative embodiments disclosed herein by way of non-limiting example, a smelt spout assembly includes a smelt spout and an assembly as described in the immediately preceding paragraph that is provided for cleaning the smelt spout. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a smelt spout, shown in phantom, together with a spout cleaning assembly for cleaning the smelt spout.

[0015] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a schematic isolated perspective view of a portion of the cleaning / cutting head and connecting drive rod of the spout cleaning assembly of FIG.

[0016] [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the branched tip edge of the branched cleaning head of FIGS. 1 and 2 inserted into the receptacle of a spout.

[0017] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a schematic side view of the smelt spout and spout cleaning assembly of FIG. 1, with the cleaning / cutting head of the spout cleaning assembly engaged with the smelt spout.

[0018] [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a schematic top view of the spout cleaning assembly of FIGS. 1 to 4 in a rest position with the cleaning / cutting head raised away from the smelt spout. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a schematic side view of the spout cleaning assembly of FIGS. 1 to 4 in a rest position with the cleaning / cutting head raised away from the smelt spout.

[0019] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a side view of the spout cleaning assembly of FIGS. 1-4 moved to a maintenance position that provides access to the smelt spout for manual cleaning or other maintenance.

[0020] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic diagram of a method for cleaning a smelt spout that is suitably performed using the spout cleaning assembly of FIGS. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Referring to FIG. 1 , a smelt spout 2 is shown in phantom, along with a spout cleaning assembly 8 for cleaning the smelt spout 2. An optional spout hood or housing 4 is also shown in phantom. The smelt spout 2 may include, for example, a smelt spout 2 of a chemical reduction furnace, such as may be used, for example, in a kraft process. The spout cleaning assembly 8 includes a cutting head 10, shown in FIG. 1 , running up the spout 2. The cutting head 10 is also shown in FIG. 1 in its extreme position (head shown 10e). A rest position 11 of the cutting head is also shown in FIG. 1. The spout cleaning assembly 8 is secured to the spout hood or housing 4 using bolts and / or other connectors or the like.

[0022] 2, with continuing reference to FIG. 1, shows an isolated view of a portion of the cleaning / cutting head 10 and connecting drive rod 12, with the cleaning / cutting head 10 attached to the drive rod 12. In a first cleaning position, the drive rod 12 is retracted. In a second cleaning position, the drive rod 12 is extended. In the first cleaning position, the cleaning head is at a first height. In the second cleaning position, the cleaning head is at a second height. In a fully extended position (corresponding to the illustration of the cleaning head 10e in FIG. 1), the cleaning head 10e may extend beyond the distal end of the spout 2. The drive rod 12 may also be in a rest position where the cutting head is raised and rests on the spout (e.g., the cutting head rest position 11 shown in FIG. 1).

[0023] Movement between the first and second cleaning positions is controlled by a drive source, such as a pneumatic drive 14 (in other contemplated embodiments, a hydraulic (water or hydraulic) drive source, an electric motor drive source, etc.). Force applied by the drive source 14 engages the cleaning head 10 with the spout 2. As additional force is applied by the drive source 14 to extend the drive rod 12 further outward, the cleaning head 10 traverses the length of the spout 2 to reach the second cleaning position. In some systems, the connection between the cleaning head 10 and the drive rod 12 is a pivot coupling 16 (also labeled in FIG. 1 as pivot connection 16e for the fully extended head 10e shown). The pivot connection 16 allows the cleaning head 10 to rotate about the pivot point 16 to match the profile of the spout 2 as it traverses the length of the spout 2. In some systems, one or more springs (not shown) are attached to the pivot point 16 to provide the desired rotational resistance, which in some embodiments enhances the ability of the cleaning head 10 to remove cooled smelt.

[0024] Movement from the rest position (i.e., position 11 shown in FIG. 1) to other positions may be gravity or weight assisted. In one embodiment, the drive rod 12 and cleaning head 10 function as a swing arm having a pivot point 18 to lower the cleaning head 10 from the rest position to the first cleaning position. The swing arm pivot point 18 may also have one or more springs or rotational dampers (not shown) to achieve the desired rotational resistance.

[0025] Continuing with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and with further reference to FIG. 3, variations in furnace outlets, spout receptacles, and spouts can typically be accommodated by a cleaning head specifically designed for each smelt spout 2. Preferably, the cleaning head 10 matches the geometry of the spout 2. In the illustrated cleaning head 10, the leading edge 20 of the cleaning head 10 is bifurcated. FIG. 2 fully illustrates the bifurcated cleaning head 10 with head portion 101 and head portion 102 (labeled only in FIG. 2). FIG. 3 shows the bifurcated leading edge 20 of the bifurcated cleaning head 10 inserted into the spout receptacle 6. More specifically, in FIG. 3, leading edge portion 201 and leading edge portion 202 of each cleaning head portion 101 and 102 are labeled (only) in FIG. 3. The cleaning head 10 (more specifically, its leading edge portion 20) is designed to be slightly smaller than the spout opening 6. In this manner, cleaning (including cleaning of the spout opening 6) can occur without requiring the bifurcated head 10 to engage and bend inwardly with the spout receptacle 6. This design also reduces the risk of the cleaning head 10 becoming stuck in the spout opening 6. The leading edges 201, 202 of the cleaning head 10 are preferably contoured to include blades and / or fillets to assist in cleaning and moving the removed hardened smelt in the desired direction. In particular, extension of the drive rod 12 to a fully extended position (e.g., shown in FIG. 1 as the fully extended position 10e) operates to push the leading edges 201, 202 of the cleaning head 10 somewhat into the spout opening 6, as seen in FIG. 3, effectively cleaning the spout opening 6 as part of the spout cleaning process.

[0026] With particular reference to FIG. 2, the cleaning head 10 may also include a curved profile along its length. In such an embodiment, the trailing edge 22 of the profile engages the spout channel. This engagement facilitates the desired rotation of the cleaning head about the pivot point 16, and upon desired rotation, the leading edge 20 enters the spout receptacle 6 (see FIG. 3), further stabilizing the cleaning head 10 upon engagement with hardened smelt that would otherwise rotate the cleaning head in the opposite direction. The profile of the trailing edge 22 may also include an inward curvature to aid in dislodging and / or removing hardened smelt present in the smelt spout or otherwise being forced toward the center of the smelt spout.

[0027] Continuing with reference to FIGS. 1-3 and with further reference to FIG. 4, in a method of operation, the cleaning head 10 is extended between a first position and a second position. During this extension, the cleaning head 10 may rotate about a first pivot point 16, which is the connection point between the cleaning head 10 and the pivot rod 12 (see, e.g., FIG. 2). As best seen in FIG. 4, rotation may also occur about a second pivot point 18, which is a pivot point 18 along the length of the drive rod 12 / drive source 14 assembly. The second pivot point allows the assembly including the cleaning head 10 and pivot arm 12 (and, optionally, a portion of the drive source 14) up to the second pivot point 18 to function as a swing arm. In particular, as the drive rod 12 extends out of the drive source 14, the torque applied to the pivot point 18 by the assembly including the cleaning head 10 and the extended portion of the drive rod 12 increases. This torque tends to rotate the cleaning head 10 downwards, causing the cleaning head 10 to move downwards.

[0028] The operations can be performed in various sequences, including movements from a first position to a second position, movements from the second position back to the first position, movements to or from intermediate positions between the first and second positions, and combinations and / or sequences of movements including one or more movements in succession.

[0029] Referring to Figures 5, 6, and 7, operation may also include one or more maintenance modes and manual cleaning modes. Figures 5, 6, and 7 illustrate a transition from an operating position (shown in the top and side views of Figures 5 and 6, respectively) to a maintenance position (shown in the side view of Figure 7). The cleaning assembly 8 is mounted to the spout 2 (or, more particularly, in the illustrated embodiment, the optional spout housing 4) by an articulated arm 24. As best seen in Figure 6, prior to movement to the maintenance position, the drive rod 12 fully retracts within the pneumatic drive 14, reducing the torque of the assembly, including the cleaning head 10, about the pivot point 18 to a minimum value and creating a counter torque provided by (part of) the drive source 14 on the opposite side of the pivot point 18, lifting the cleaning head 10 upward to its rest position (i.e., to its rest position 11 shown in Figure 1). In particular, this lifts the cleaning head 10 away from the smelt spout 2. The rest position shown in Figure 6 is the normal position when the smelt spout 2 is in use and no cleaning is being performed, leaving the smelt spout 2 empty so that smelt from the chemical reduction furnace (not shown) can pass through the spout opening 6 (see Figure 3) and flow down the smelt spout 2 to the smelt collection tank (not shown).

[0030] To transition from the rest operating position shown in Figures 5 and 6 to the maintenance position shown in Figure 7, the cleaning assembly 8 is unlocked and / or unlatched from the spout housing or hood 4, and the cleaning assembly 8 swings outward and away from the spout 2 / housing assembly 4 using the articulated support arm 24. In this maintenance position shown in Figure 7, maintenance is performed on the spout 2, spout opening 6, and / or spout housing 4 without the cleaning assembly 8 obstructing access to these components 2, 4, and 6 for manual cleaning of the spout and / or other maintenance during a maintenance activity. It is understood that the articulated arm 24 can be replaced with another displaceable support mechanism, such as a sliding support arm.

[0031] Referring back to FIG. 4 , as previously mentioned, the extension of the drive rod 12 increases the torque generated by the assembly including the cleaning head 10 and the extended portion of the drive rod 12 about the second pivot point 18, and this torque becomes sufficient to cause the cleaning head 10 to rotate downward and contact the smelt spout 2. Optionally, as best seen in FIG. 4 , a stopper 26, such as a lower protrusion as shown, limits the downward rotation of the swing arm (including the cleaning head 10 and the extended portion of the drive rod 12). Alternatively, the stopper 26 can be omitted, and the stopping force provided by contact of the cleaning head 10 with the smelt spout 2. An additional feature best seen in FIG. 4 is that in the illustrated design, an extended locking mechanism comprising a stabilizing rod 28 is positioned parallel to the drive rod 12, and the illustrated stopper 26 is attached to the stabilizing rod 28. The stabilizing rod 28 is attached to the drive rod 12 by a link 30 (labeled in FIGS. 4 and 6) such that the stabilizing rod 28 extends or retracts along with the drive rod 12. The extended locking mechanism further includes a collar 32 through which the stabilizing rod 28 passes. The collar 32 is fixed to the pneumatic drive 14, and thus the extended locking mechanism prevents rotation of the drive rod 12 about its axis.

[0032] In a contemplated variation, one or more cameras (not shown) are fixed to the spout cleaning assembly 8. The cameras are positioned in a manner that provides an unobstructed camera view of the spout 2 and cleaning activity, thus allowing remote monitoring.

[0033] In another contemplated variation, retracting the assembly assists in moving the cleaning head 10 to the rest position 11 shown in Figure 1 (e.g., as shown in Figure 6) upon completion of a cleaning cycle. Retracting the assembly is activated upon retraction of the drive rod 12 / drive assembly 14.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 8, a method for cleaning a smelt spout 2, preferably implemented utilizing the spout cleaning assembly of FIGS. 1-4, is described. In operation S1, the cleaning head 10 is initially in its rest position 11, as shown in FIG. 1 and illustrated in FIG. 6. In operation S1, the drive source 14 is operated to initiate extension of the drive rod 12, for example, with compressed air in the case of a pneumatic drive 14, or hydraulically in the case of a hydraulic drive, or electrically in the case of an electric motor drive, or in other ways. In operation S3, the cleaning head moves downward to engage the smelt spout 2. This is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1 as first movement M1. For example, this movement M1 occurs in response to rod extension operation S2 in response to extension of the drive rod 12, thus increasing torque about the pivot point 18 and rotating the assembly of the cleaning head 10 and the extension portion of the drive rod 12, causing the head 10 to move downward. Operation S3 ends when the downwardly moving cleaning head 10 engages the smelt spout 2, as shown diagrammatically in FIG.

[0035] In operation S4, the drive source 14 continues to be operated to continue to extend the drive rod 12, and in response, in operation S5, the cleaning head 10 is moved along the smelt spout 2 to clean the spout 2. This is shown schematically in FIG. 1 as second movement M2. For example, operation S5 may remove hardened smelt from the smelt spout 2, such as by cutting the hardened smelt, abrading the hardened smelt, etc.

[0036] In operation S6, the drive source 14 continues to be operated to continue extending the drive rod 12, and in response, in operation S7, the cleaning head 10 (more specifically, its leading edge 20) is moved to engage and clean the spout opening 6 as shown in Figure 3. This is shown schematically as third movement M3 in Figure 1.

[0037] In operation S8, the drive source 14 is actuated in the reverse direction to retract the drive rod 12. In response, in operation S9, the cleaning head 10 is retracted back along the smelt spout, reversing movements M3 and M2, returning the cleaning head 10 upward to its rest position 11 and reversing movement M1. The latter upward movement of the cleaning head 10, for example, reversing movement M1, occurs in response to rod retraction operation S8 when the drive rod 12 retracts, thus reducing the torque about the pivot point 18 and causing the assembly of the cleaning head 10 and the extension portion of the drive rod 12 to rotate and move the head 10 upward to its rest position 11.

[0038] It is understood that retracting the cleaning head 10 along the smelt spout 2 through movements M3 and M2 can contribute to cleaning the smelt spout 2. Additionally, it is contemplated that operations S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, and S9 can be repeated to provide more than one pass of reciprocating movement of the cleaning head 10 over the spout 2, thereby increasing cleaning efficiency.

[0039] Preferably, the method of FIG. 8 is performed under computer control. For example, an electronic control box having a microprocessor is programmed to control the drive source 14 to perform the method of FIG. 8. In one approach, the control box has a manual "start" button, allowing an operator to manually initiate cleaning. The control box may include a timer (e.g., a microprocessor clock) to ensure that the various operations of the method of FIG. 8 are performed over desired time intervals. In another approach, the control box is programmed to perform the cleaning method of FIG. 8 at preset time intervals, which are aligned with the control operation of the chemical reduction furnace to ensure cleaning does not interfere with furnace operation. For example, in one possible preset, the method of FIG. 8 runs three cleaning cycles every 10 minutes. That is, three repetitions of operations S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, and S9 generate three reciprocating passes of the cleaning head 10 over the spout 2. This is merely a non-limiting illustrative example.

[0040] While the foregoing description constitutes preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that the invention is susceptible to modification, alteration, and change without departing from the proper scope and fair meaning of the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. An assembly for cleaning a smelt spout, comprising: cleaning head; a drive rod connected to the cleaning head, the drive rod being connected to the cleaning head by a pivotal connection; a drive source connected to selectively extend or retract the drive rod; and a pivot point; an assembly wherein, in response to the drive source selectively extending the drive rod, a torque about the pivot point generated by the cleaning head and the extending portion of the drive rod rotates the cleaning head downward into engagement with a smelt spout.

2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning head is bifurcated.

3. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning head includes a leading edge configured to engage and clean an opening in a spout through which smelt from a chemical reduction furnace enters the spout.

4. The assembly of claim 3 , wherein the leading edge of the cleaning head is bifurcated.

5. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the drive source comprises a pneumatic drive.

6. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning head has a length, the length including a curved profile.

7. 1. A smelt spout assembly comprising: smelt spout; and A smelt spout assembly comprising the assembly of claim 1 provided for cleaning the smelt spout.

8. 1. A smelt spout assembly comprising: smelt spout; and A smelt spout assembly comprising the assembly of claim 1 connected to the smelt spout or a housing of the smelt spout for cleaning the smelt spout.

9. 1. A smelt spout assembly comprising: smelt spout; and A smelt spout assembly provided for cleaning the smelt spout, the assembly comprising a cleaning head, a drive rod connected to the cleaning head, and a drive source connected to selectively extend or retract the drive rod, the assembly being mounted on an articulated arm whereby the assembly can be pivoted away from the smelt spout.

10. 1. A method for cleaning a smelt spout, the method comprising: extending a drive rod to which the cleaning head is pivotally mounted; In response to the extension, the cleaning head is pivoted about a second pivot point, the cleaning head is lowered onto the smelt spout, and then the cleaning head is moved along the spout to clean it.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising, in response to said extending, moving said cleaning head at least partially into an opening of a spout to clean said opening of the spout.

12. Retracting the drive arm; and 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: in response to the retraction, retracting the cleaning head back along the spout, and then pivoting the cleaning head about a second pivot point to raise the cleaning head away from the smelt spout to a rest position.

13. 1. An assembly for cleaning a smelt spout, the assembly comprising: drive rod; a cleaning head pivotally mounted on said drive rod; a drive source connected to selectively extend or retract the drive rod; and an assembly including a second pivot point about which the cleaning head rotates to selectively lower the cleaning head in response to extension actuation of the drive rod and to selectively raise the cleaning head in response to retraction actuation of the drive rod.

14. 14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the cleaning head is bifurcated.

15. The assembly of claim 14 , wherein the cleaning head includes a leading edge configured to extend at least partially into an opening in a spout.

16. 14. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising: a stabilizing rod disposed parallel to the drive rod and attached to the drive rod by a link, the stabilizing rod extending or retracting together with the drive rod; and an elongated locking mechanism including a collar through which the stabilizing rod passes, the collar being secured to the drive source.

17. The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the drive source comprises a pneumatic drive.

18. 1. A smelt spout assembly comprising: smelt spout; and A smelt spout assembly comprising the assembly of claim 13 provided for cleaning the smelt spout.

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