Multi-Level Bustle Pipe Arms for Shaft Furnace Gas Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bustle pipe arrangements for shaft furnaces are cumbersome, heavy, and limit the number of injection points, posing challenges in adapting to existing furnaces and risking wear on refractory materials and static instability.

Innovation Solution

A compact bustle pipe arrangement with multiple arms supporting the pipe on two levels, allowing direct connection to the shaft furnace wall, eliminating the need for external frames and compensators, and featuring refractory-lined blow channels with access ports for flexible gas injection and servicing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional circumferential bustle pipe arrangement is used, then the structure is proven and tested, but the weight is considerable and the number of injection points is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproven and tested solutionVSAvoidconsiderable weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The bustle pipe arrangement is segmented into multiple independent arms (first arms and second arms) that connect the bustle pipe to the shaft furnace at different levels. Each arm functions as an independent injection point, allowing the system to achieve both structural reliability and increased number of injection points while reducing overall weight compared to a conventional single-level arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If a conventional bustle pipe arrangement is used, then the structure is stable, but it is difficult to arrange at the lower shaft level and limits the number of injection points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidarrangement flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extends the bustle pipe arrangement from a single-level conventional structure to a multi-level three-dimensional configuration. First arms and second arms connect the bustle pipe to the shaft furnace at different vertical levels, enabling arrangement at the lower shaft level and significantly increasing the number of injection points while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Quantity of substance

If a Midrex-type gas injection with circumferential distribution channel is used, then the number of injection points is increased, but the refractory material wears and the furnace structure is weakened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of injection pointsVSAvoidwear of refractory material

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the distribution channel from the furnace wall structure (as in Midrex-type injection) and replaces it with external arms that connect the bustle pipe to the shaft furnace interior. This extraction eliminates the wear problem on the furnace wall refractory material while maintaining multiple injection points through the arm structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Quantity of substance

If a Midrex-type gas injection is used, then injection points are increased, but additional risks of leakage and static instability are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of injection pointsVSAvoidleakage risk and static stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of building the distribution channel into the furnace wall (Midrex-type), the invention inverts the approach by placing the bustle pipe externally and using arms to deliver gas to injection points. This inversion eliminates leakage risks associated with wall-integrated channels and maintains static stability by using robust external arm structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 increases the number of injection points for homogeneous gas distribution, reduces leakage risks, and can be easily integrated into existing furnaces with minimal alterations, while minimizing wear and enhancing operational flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

First and second blow channels are respectively arranged through the first and second arms for fluidly connecting the bustle pipe to the interior of the shaft furnace

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow through channels:

Data Source

PatentEP2379973B1Bustle pipe arrangement

Publication Date: 2014.12.10 PAUL WURTH REFRACTORY & ENG

Figure 1~2
Figure 3

AI summary

The present invention proposes a bustle pipe arrangement (10) of a shaft furnace, in particular for feeding hot gas into the shaft furnace such as e.g. a blast furnace, wherein the bustle pipe arrangement (10) comprises a circumferential bustle pipe (12) arranged along the outer casing (14) of the shaft furnace, the bustle pipe (12) being arranged at a certain distance form the outer casing (14). The arrangement (10) further comprises a plurality of first arms (22) connecting the bustle pipe (12) to the outer casing (14) of the shaft furnace on a first level; and a plurality of second arms (24) connecting the bustle pipe (12) to the outer casing (14) of the shaft furnace on a second level, the first level being different from the second level. First and second blow channels (26, 30) are respectively arranged through the first and second arms (22, 24) for fluidly connecting the bustle pipe (12) to the interior of the shaft furnace.