Steelmaking Vessel Injection with Annular Shroud Path Clearing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for injecting additional materials like lime into a steelmaking vessel are hindered by the obstruction of scrap steel pieces, which delay the steelmaking process by blocking the delivery of materials to the target location.

Innovation Solution

An injection device with a central barrel and coaxial outer barrel is used to direct a carrier stream and an annular shroud stream, where the annular shroud stream clears the path by forming openings in scrap steel pieces, allowing the transport stream to deliver lime to the target location earlier in the process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If lime or additional materials are injected directly into the steelmaking vessel, then the materials can be delivered to the target location, but scrap steel pieces obstruct the path and delay the delivery process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery speed of lime to target locationVSAvoidtime delay caused by obstruction

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The annular shroud stream is directed along the preselected path before the transport stream is injected, to provide openings in the scrap steel pieces that obstruct the path. This preliminary action clears the obstruction before the main material delivery, enabling faster subsequent injection of lime without delay from scrap steel interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful obstructing function of scrap steel pieces is removed by extracting them from the path using the annular shroud stream to create openings, separating the obstruction removal function from the material delivery function, allowing the transport stream to pass through unobstructed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If the steelmaking process is advanced quickly to minimize tap-to-tap time, then productivity improves, but the charged material may still obstruct material delivery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverall steelmaking process speedVSAvoidreliability of material delivery to target location

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The annular shroud stream acts as an intermediary that prepares the path by creating openings in obstructing scrap steel pieces before the transport stream of lime is injected. This mediator function ensures reliable delivery of materials to the target location even during快速 steelmaking processes where charged material may still be present

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The path clearing action is performed in advance before material injection, ensuring that even at high processing speeds, the delivery path is reliably prepared, maintaining both speed and reliability of the steelmaking process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The method enables earlier injection of lime, expediting the steelmaking process and reducing tap-to-tap time by overcoming the obstruction caused by scrap steel pieces.

Implementation Method 1

an annular shroud stream of at least one shroud gas is directed to exit from the annular space at a downstream end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas flow:

Implementation Method 2

a carrier stream of one or more transport gases is directed through the central barrel. The selected material is introduced into the carrier stream to form a transport stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas flow:

Implementation Method 3

the annular shroud stream is concentric relative to the transport stream, and the annular shroud stream shrouds the transport stream to deliver the selected material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConcentric flow pattern:

Data Source

PatentUS12460274B1Method and system for injecting additional materials into a steelmaking vessel

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 A H TALLMAN BRONZE

AI summary

A method of injecting selected material along a preselected path into charged material. The charged material at least partially obstructs the preselected path. An injection device includes a central barrel through which a carrier stream of a transport gas is directed, and the selected material is introduced into the carrier stream to form a transport stream that exits the central barrel at an output end. The injection device also includes an outer barrel coaxial with the central barrel to define an annular space. An annular shroud stream of a shroud gas exits the annular space at a downstream end. The annular shroud is directed along the preselected path to provide an opening in the scrap steel pieces. Subsequently, the transport stream and the annular shroud stream are directed along the predetermined path to inject the selected material through the opening into the charged material.