Electric Arc Furnace Charging Shaft with Sealed Partition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing charging shaft systems for electric arc furnaces face issues with uncontrolled escape of exhaust gases during scrap unloading, jamming due to scrap preheating, and high crane runway requirements, leading to environmental pollution and operational inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A charging shaft system with a pre-charging compartment separated from the shaft by an openable partition, featuring a movable pusher plate and thrust shield, allowing controlled loading and conveying of input material while preventing exhaust gas escape through the use of a sealing partition and thrust shield configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If scrap is preheated in a storage space through which exhaust gas flows, then scrap is preheated, but scrap cakes during preheating and the bottom closure slide can jam

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrap preheating temperatureVSAvoidbottom closure slide reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The charging system is divided into two separate compartments: a pre-charging compartment for heating scrap and a shaft-shaped container for receiving and discharging scrap. The partition wall with sealing elements creates a reliable seal between these compartments, preventing the bottom closure slide from jamming while maintaining scrap preheating functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the upper horizontal locking slide is opened during scrap preheating, then scrap can be loaded, but noxious exhaust gases may escape into the furnace hall

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrap loading easeVSAvoidexhaust gas escape

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall acts as an intermediary barrier between the pre-charging compartment and the shaft-shaped container. It is equipped with sealing elements and can be opened or closed as needed, allowing scrap to be transferred while maintaining gas tightness and preventing exhaust gases from escaping into the furnace hall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If a cascade-like scrap preheating device with loading zone above is used, then scrap preheating is achieved, but warm exhaust gases rise and smoke escapes through the flaps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrap preheating temperatureVSAvoidsmoke escape through flaps

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having the loading zone above the preheating area (cascade-like design), the invention inverts the arrangement by placing the loading zone in the pre-charging compartment at the same level. The partition wall with sealing elements prevents warm exhaust gases from rising and escaping through flaps, while still allowing efficient scrap preheating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Temperature

If such a scrap preheating device is used, then scrap preheating is achieved, but high crane runway height and correspondingly high furnace hall are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrap preheating temperatureVSAvoidcrane runway height

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the spatial arrangement from a vertical cascade-like design requiring high crane runway height to a horizontal arrangement with the pre-charging compartment and shaft-shaped container positioned side by side. This dimensional change allows scrap preheating to be achieved without requiring high crane runway height or a correspondingly high furnace hall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Significantly reduces environmental pollution by containing exhaust gases and preventing jamming, enabling efficient and continuous operation without interrupting the melting process, while also reducing the need for high crane runway heights.

Implementation Method 1

The pre-charging compartment is separated from the shaft-shaped container by means of an openable partition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

the pusher plate conveys the input material into the shaft-shaped container with its pushing side facing the dividing wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP2619336B1Charging shaft system and method for filling

Publication Date: 2014.11.19 INTECO SPECIAL MELTING TECH

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AI summary

The invention relates to a charging shaft system of an electric arc furnace, comprising an openable closure, a shaft-shaped container, an outlet opening, and at least one suction opening. The invention also relates to a method for filling the shaft-shaped container. The closure closes a precharging compartment. The precharging compartment is separated from the shaft-shaped container by means of an openable partition. Furthermore, a movable push plate is arranged in the precharging compartment. The invention provides a charging shaft system and a method with which the risk of environmental pollution is substantially reduced.