Coolant Guide Unit for Converter Exhaust Hood

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of converter drainage systems for metallurgical equipment is complex and costly due to the complexity of cooling tubes, which also complicates welding and maintenance, especially with non-constant distances between adjacent tubes and limited accessibility for inspection.

Innovation Solution

A coolant guide unit with a leading pipeline and a fluid-conductive return tube line, featuring parallel longitudinal portions and obliquely aligned intermediate portions for interconnection, allowing for cost-effective production and high-quality welding, along with improved accessibility for inspection and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional cooling pipes with non-constant distance between return sections are used, then the converter exhaust hood can be constructed, but the welding complexity increases and weld inspection becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding easeVSAvoidpipe shape complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling pipe is divided into separate supply section and return section that can be manufactured independently and then assembled through welding, allowing each section to be optimized separately for manufacturing and welding processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The supply section and return section are designed with different geometries optimized for their specific functions, with the return section having a constant distance configuration that simplifies welding compared to the traditional symmetric design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional cooling pipes with complex shapes are used, then the cooling function is achieved, but the cost of manufacture increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidpipe geometry complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Dividing the cooling pipe into modular supply and return sections enables standardized manufacturing processes and reduces fabrication costs compared to producing complex monolithic pipes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of creating a complex single-piece pipe structure, the invention inverts the approach by using separate simple sections connected through welding, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If traditional double-walled structure with welded cooling pipes is used, then the cooling function is provided, but accessibility for inspection and maintenance is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection accessibilityVSAvoiddouble-walled structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The modular design with separate supply and return sections that can be accessed independently improves inspection and maintenance accessibility compared to traditional enclosed double-walled structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 coolant guide unit reduces production costs, enhances welding quality, and facilitates easier inspection and maintenance by providing better accessibility, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective converter drainage system.

Implementation Method 1

a coolant guide unit (14) for a converter exhaust hood (8a), through which a coolant can flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the supply pipe and the return pipe each have two longitudinal sections parallel to each other and an intermediate section oriented obliquely to the longitudinal sections, through which the longitudinal sections of the respective pipes are fluidly connected to each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3366789B1Coolant guide unit for a converter waste gas hood
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 PRIMETALS TECH AUSTRIA GMBH
  • EP3366789B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3366789B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3366789B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a coolant guide unit (14) for a converter exhaust hood (8a, 8b), comprising a supply pipe (38) with a coolant inlet (44) and a return pipe (40) with a coolant outlet (46) connected fluid-conducting to the supply pipe (38). In order to enable cost-effective manufacturing of a converter exhaust hood (8a, 8b), it is proposed that the supply pipeline (38) and the return pipeline (40) each have two longitudinal sections (48, 50) parallel to each other and an intermediate section (52) oriented obliquely to the longitudinal sections (48, 50), through which the longitudinal sections (48, 50) of the respective pipeline (38, 40) are fluid-conductingly connected to each other, wherein the longitudinal sections (48, 50) of the supply pipeline (38) are aligned parallel to the longitudinal sections (48, 50) of the return pipeline (40).Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of such a coolant guide unit (14), a converter exhaust hood (8a, 8b) with such a coolant guide unit (14) and a metallurgical plant (2) which has a converter exhaust hood (8a, 8b) with such a coolant guide unit (14).