Blast Furnace Ring Block Assembly Using Temporary Connection Tool

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for constructing and revamping blast furnaces are time-consuming, requiring 7 to 10 days, due to lengthy processes in cutting and separating ring blocks and welding, which limits the efficiency of the construction and revamping process.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a connection tool for temporary connection and separation of ring blocks, allowing for simultaneous welding and centering, thereby reducing the time required for assembly and dismantling by eliminating the need for uncut parts and simplifying the centering and welding steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional methods are used for constructing and revamping blast furnaces with sequential cutting and welding processes, then structural integrity is maintained, but the construction and revamping period becomes excessively long (7 to 10 days)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction and revamping speedVSAvoidconstruction and revamping period
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assembling ring blocks on the ground into complete furnace sections (e.g., entire upper, middle, or lower sections) before transporting them to the construction site. This allows welding and assembly operations to be performed in advance rather than during the critical path of furnace construction, significantly reducing the on-site construction period from 7-10 days to just 2-3 days.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the blast furnace into multiple ring blocks that can be independently manufactured and pre-assembled on the ground. These segmented sections are then transported and stacked at the construction site using lifting equipment, allowing parallel processing of multiple sections and dramatically accelerating the overall construction timeline.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If ring blocks are cut and separated sequentially in conventional methods, then precise cutting is achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and reduces overall efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidassembly efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs all cutting and separation operations on the ground in advance during the pre-assembly phase, allowing precise cutting to be done in a controlled environment without time pressure. This eliminates the sequential cutting bottleneck during actual furnace construction, as all sections are already prepared and ready for stacking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If welding operations are performed during the assembly process in conventional methods, then structural integrity is ensured, but the centering and welding steps extend the construction timeline

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidcentering and welding time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs all welding operations during the pre-assembly of ring blocks on the ground, ensuring structural integrity through proper welding procedures in a controlled setting. By the time sections are transported and stacked at the construction site, all welding is already complete, eliminating time-consuming centering and welding operations from the critical construction path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2305840B1Method for constructing and repairing body of blast furnace
Publication Date: 2016.03.23 JFE STEEL CORP
  • EP2305840B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2305840B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2305840B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In the method for constructing and revamping a blast furnace body, in assembling a new furnace body of a blast furnace to construct the blast furnace body or in revamping the blast furnace body by dismantling an old furnace body of an existing blast furnace, and then, stacking ring blocks for the new furnace body to assemble the blast furnace body, respective connection parts or cut parts of upper and lower ring blocks are temporarily connected by means of a connection tool in advance before the ring blocks are welded and connected or cut, and thereby, the lower ring block is lifted and held on the upper ring block.