Lining Structure for High-Temperature Vessels

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing lining structures in high-temperature and high-pressure environments, such as nickel hydrometallurgical processes, face stress concentration and cracking due to differences in thermal expansion between metal base materials and lining members, leading to potential damage and safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

A lining structure with a chamfered flange section and integrally bent flange lining section, where the tube section lining is protruded to match the flange surface height, allowing for thermal expansion absorption without explosive welding, thereby reducing stress concentration and preventing cracks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the flange lining section is explosively welded to the flange section and joined orthogonally to the tube section lining, then the lining member provides effective protection against corrosion and wear, but stress concentration occurs due to difference in thermal expansion between the base material and lining member

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against corrosion and wearVSAvoidstress concentration at flange lining section
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the conventional orthogonal (90-degree) joint between the flange lining section and tube section lining with a curved joint having a specific radius. This curvature allows the lining member to flex and absorb thermal expansion stresses, preventing stress concentration and cracking while maintaining the protective function against corrosion and wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameter of the joint angle from a fixed 90-degree orthogonal connection to a curved connection with a specific radius of curvature. This parameter change enables the lining member to accommodate thermal expansion differences between the base material and lining material, thereby reducing stress concentration while maintaining protective reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the lining member has a small coefficient of thermal expansion compared to the metal base material, then the lining member maintains dimensional stability, but it cannot absorb the thermal expansion of the flange section under high temperature and high pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional stability of lining memberVSAvoidcrack resistance under thermal expansion
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By introducing a curved joint with a specific radius between the flange lining section and tube section lining, the invention enables the dimensionally stable lining member to flex and absorb thermal expansion stresses. The curvature acts as a stress-relief mechanism that prevents cracking while preserving the lining member's dimensional stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The curved joint design transforms the rigid, static connection into a dynamic, flexible connection that can adapt to thermal expansion. The curved geometry allows the lining member to undergo controlled deformation during thermal cycling, preventing stress accumulation and cracking while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If explosive welding is used to join the flange lining section to the flange section, then strong bonding is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and dangerous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strength of flange lining sectionVSAvoidcomplexity of explosive welding process
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the explosive welding process with a conventional welding or joining process. By changing the joining method from explosive (chemical/physical) to conventional (thermal/mechanical), the invention maintains bonding strength while eliminating the complexity and safety hazards associated with explosive welding operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 design effectively prevents cracking of the lining member, ensuring operational safety and reducing production downtime by allowing the lining member to absorb thermal expansion, while simplifying the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for explosive welding.

Implementation Method 1

a difference in thermal expansion occurs between the base material member 110 and the lining member 120 that normally have a difference in coefficients of thermal expansion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

it is structured that the tube section lining section 121 and the flange lining section 122 are joined substantially orthogonally

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBending: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP3012017B1Lining structure
Publication Date: 2018.01.03 SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO LTD
  • EP3012017B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3012017B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3012017B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Damage of a lining member is prevented through mitigation of stress concentration due to a difference in thermal expansion. A lining structure 1 of a lining member 20 is provided on a base material 10 of an insertion tube 3 used for adding a chemical to a reaction vessel 2 for leaching under high temperature and high pressure. The base material 10 has a tube section 11 and a flange section 12. The lining member 20 is provided on the base material 10 and formed of a material different from that of the base material 10, and has a tube section lining section 21 provided on the tube section 11 and a flange lining section 22 provided on the flange section 12. A chamfer section 13 is formed on the flange section 12. The tube section lining section 21 is protruded to the same height as a flat surface 22a of the flange lining section 22. The flange lining section 22 has a curved surface section 24 protruded toward the base material 10 side on the chamfer section 13 and is welded to a protruding section of the tube section lining section 21 that protrudes from a slant surface 13a of the chamfer section 13.