Liquid Metal Gas Section With Capillary Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas-tight bricks and sections for processing steel with inert gases face issues such as gap closure due to thermal expansion, unreliable retention due to wire contraction, and lack of a 'Security Beacon' for hardware replacement, leading to inconsistent gas flow and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A section composed of separate components connected by a coupler with capillary openings between elements, featuring longitudinal through holes and solid or plastic dividers, and a sealing coating, which enhances mounting strength and maintains consistent capillary opening sizes for stable gas flow, along with a 'Security Beacon' for component replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If brick is used for blowing gas into metal, then gas-tightness is achieved, but the capillary cracks close due to thermal expansion and compaction under bulk pressure, leading to loss of gas-tightness
Solution Approach 1:
The brick is divided into a matrix of capillary channels with controlled geometry. By segmenting the structure into regular patterns of channels separated by walls of specific thickness (0.1-0.5 mm), the design maintains stable gap dimensions resistant to thermal expansion and compaction pressures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the capillary channels by controlling wall thickness (0.1-0.5 mm) and channel dimensions (0.03-0.5 mm) to create a structure that maintains stable gaps under thermal and mechanical stress, preventing closure while ensuring gas-tightness.
2Ease of manufacture
If wire is used to contract elements, then section assembly is achieved, but wire stretches during installation causing elements to become less dense and require additional tightening
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces permanent wire contraction with removable clamps that can be easily installed and removed. The clamps provide temporary contraction during installation but do not suffer from stretching issues, and can be discarded after use, eliminating the need for additional tightening operations.
3Strength
If thick wire is used for contraction, then element retention is achieved, but elements split and section breaks down quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by using clamps only at specific locations (edges and corners of elements) rather than encircling entire elements with wire. This localized contraction provides sufficient retention strength without creating excessive stress that would cause element splitting, thereby extending section service life.
4Reliability
If refractory concrete is poured to fix seal, then gas-tightness is achieved, but laitance falls into side gaps overlapping gas passage into molten metal
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from the refractory concrete pouring process by using pre-formed gaskets or seals that are installed before concrete pouring. This separates the sealing operation from the concrete placement operation, preventing laitance from contaminating the seal and gas passages.
5Productivity
If capillary holes are formed by protrusions, then gas outlet is achieved, but mounting variability causes gap size to be twice bigger than needed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by pre-forming precise capillary channels with controlled dimensions (0.03-0.5 mm) and wall thickness (0.1-0.5 mm) in the brick elements before assembly. This preliminary precision work ensures that when elements are assembled, the gaps between them remain within the required tolerance range, preventing excessive gap sizes that would compromise gas flow control.
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 solution ensures a strong, stable, and secure gas-tight section that maintains consistent gas flow direction and intensity, allowing for easier installation and adaptation to various configurations, while preventing gas leakage and ensuring safe operation.
Implementation Method 1
capillary openings for gas outlet are formed with at least two different separators, located between the elements at their opposite edges
Implementation Method 2
side surface sections have a sealing coating
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention concerns a section for processing liquid metal with gases, produced from individual elements, interconnected by a coupler, between which capillary openings for gas outlet are situated, wherein the capillary openings for gas outlet are formed at least with two individual separators and are situated between elements at their opposite edges; the section has at least one longitudinal through hole at a distance from the maximum wear and tear from the top of section and the coupler is designed as a mounting rod which is located in this hole, in addition the lateral surfaces of the section have a sealing coating.