Rotatable Burner Lance Insert for Arc Furnace Energy Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing burner lance designs for electric arc furnaces often result in inefficient energy distribution, leading to local overheating and inefficient melting processes due to fixed axis orientations that primarily direct energy towards electrodes or oven walls, causing spatters and uneven heating.

Innovation Solution

A burner lance insert with a rotatable burner lance unit and drive unit, where the axis of rotation forms an angle of 30-60 degrees with gravity, allowing for horizontal movement and adjustable output direction, enabling better energy distribution and homogenization of the steel bath volume by directing energy towards the melting pot and scrap effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the burner lance unit is fixed in a vertical orientation, then the structure is simple and stable, but the energy distribution is uneven and causes local overheating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidenergy distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The burner lance unit is made rotatable about a vertical axis, transforming it from a static fixed-orientation device to a dynamic adjustable device. This allows the discharge direction to be changed horizontally to distribute energy more uniformly across the steel bath, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and energy distribution uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the burner lance unit is fixed in a horizontal orientation, then the structure is simple and stable, but the energy distribution is uneven and causes spatters to strike electrodes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidspatter damage to electrodes
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable burner lance unit enables dynamic adjustment of the discharge direction away from electrodes, preventing spatters from striking electrodes while maintaining structural stability through the vertical axis rotation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the burner lance unit is made rotatable, then the energy distribution is improved and homogenization is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy distribution uniformityVSAvoidmechanical complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A rotation drive mechanism is introduced to enable the burner lance unit to rotate about a vertical axis, allowing energy to be distributed more uniformly across the steel bath. This dynamic capability enhances homogenization while the vertical axis design keeps the mechanical complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of manufacture

If the axis of rotation is arranged parallel to the upper edge of the lining, then the mounting is simple, but the primary movement component is vertical causing inefficient energy input

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting simplicityVSAvoidmelting efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The axis of rotation is positioned asymmetrically at a specific height above the hearth rather than parallel to the upper edge of the lining. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that the primary movement component of the burner lance unit is horizontal, directing energy efficiently towards the scrap and molten metal, thereby improving melting efficiency while maintaining manageable mounting complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 enhances melting efficiency and homogenization by ensuring consistent energy input towards the molten metal and scrap, reducing overheating and improving the distribution of energy within the arc furnace, leading to faster and more efficient melting processes.

Implementation Method 1

The burner-lance unit (7) is rotatably mounted in the support body (3) about a rotational axis A

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational movement:

Implementation Method 2

The drive unit (9) allows the burner-lance unit (7) to be rotated between two end positions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational actuation:

Implementation Method 3

the discharge channel (28) defines a discharge direction (B) for the discharge of a fuel (15) and/or a flame (13)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer:

Implementation Method 4

This inventive burner lance insert achieves better homogenization of the steel bath volume due to improved energy distribution through the rotary motion of the burner lance unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 5

The melting vessel is lined with refractory material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3574121B1Burner lance insert for an arc furnace
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 PRIMETALS TECH GERMANY GMBH
  • EP3574121B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3574121B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3574121B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a burner lance insert (1) for an electric arc furnace (2). The burner lance insert (1) comprises a support body (3) that can be inserted into a wall opening (17) of the electric arc furnace (2) and comprises a front opening (5), a burner lance unit (7) which is mounted in the support body (3) in a rotatable manner about a rotational axis (A) and comprises a discharge channel (28) running to a burner lance unit (7) discharge opening (29) lying in the front opening (5), and a drive unit (9) for rotating the burner lance unit (7) between two end positions in which the discharge opening (29) assumes different positions in the front opening (5) and the discharge channel (28) defines different discharge directions. The rotational axis (A) forms an angle between 30 degrees and 60 degrees, particularly preferably 40 degrees to 0 degrees, together with the direction of the gravitational force of the Earth after the support body (3) is inserted into the wall opening (17). The burner lance unit (7) is suitable for carrying out a burner operation as well as a lancing operation.