Angled Reducing Gas Injection Device for Blast Furnace
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for injecting reducing gas into the reduction zone of blast furnaces are complex and require new, heavy equipment, making them difficult to implement effectively.
Innovation Solution
A device with a stainless steel internal casing and refractory layer, designed for easy installation, that injects reducing gas downwards at an angle into the blast furnace, eliminating the need for cooling systems and featuring a triangular front face to reduce mechanical load and prevent clogging, is developed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If new equipment is installed to inject reducing gas at the reduction zone level, then the reducing gas can be injected into the reduction zone, but the device becomes complex and heavy making it difficult to install
Solution Approach 1:
The injection device is divided into separate components: an external casing fixed to the furnace shell, an internal casing that can be independently installed and removed, and a refractory layer. This segmentation allows the internal casing to be easily replaced without affecting the external structure, reducing installation complexity while maintaining injection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal casing is positioned inside the external casing, creating a nested structure. The internal casing contains the gas injection outlets and is surrounded by the refractory layer, which is in turn surrounded by the external casing. This nested arrangement reduces the overall device footprint and simplifies installation space requirements.
2Reliability
If classical hot blast tuyere are used at the reduction zone level, then the injection can be performed, but the equipment is complex and heavy which cannot be easily installed
Solution Approach 1:
The internal casing is designed as a removable, replaceable component that can be easily installed and removed. This allows the use of simpler, lighter materials for the internal casing compared to permanent classical tuyeres, reducing overall equipment weight while maintaining injection capability throughout the furnace lifetime through periodic replacement.
3Temperature
If a cooling system is included in the injection device, then the device can handle high temperatures, but the device becomes more complex and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
A refractory layer is introduced as an intermediary thermal barrier between the internal casing and the external environment. This refractory lining absorbs and withstands the high temperatures from the reducing gas injection, protecting the external casing without requiring an active cooling system, thereby reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses composite construction with the internal casing made of temperature-resistant material and surrounded by a refractory layer. This composite structure provides high-temperature resistance through material selection rather than active cooling, eliminating the need for complex cooling systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for efficient and simple injection of reducing gas, reducing coke consumption and CO2 emissions, while being lighter and easier to install compared to traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
an internal casing (24) located inside said external casing (20) and made of a steel able to resist to a temperature up to 1200°C
Implementation Method 2
a refractory layer (25) may furthermore be provided between the external (20) and the internal casing (24)
Implementation Method 3
The internal casing (24) and the gas injection outlet (23) are designed so that the injection of the reducing gas inside the blast furnace stack is performed downwards and preferably at an angle α with the perpendicular to the internal wall comprised between 0 and 30°
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A device to inject a reducing gas into a shaft furnace comprising an external casing whose front face is provided with an outlet for gas injection into the shaft furnace, an internal casing located inside the external casing and made of a steel able to resist to a temperature up to 1200°C, this internal casing having an opening matching the gas injection outlet of the front face of the external casing and a refractory layer located between the external casing and the internal casing.