Vibrating Closure Panel for Slag Channel Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Metallurgical furnaces face issues with accumulation and incrustation of material on the slag doorway and channel, which hinder operation and require complex, heavy, and energy-intensive cleaning processes that damage the refractory coating, leading to frequent maintenance and productivity losses.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a closure panel that oscillates or vibrates to break and remove accumulations from the slag doorway and channel, using hydraulic actuators and a unique trajectory to minimize force on the refractory coating, allowing for effective cleaning without damaging the coating and reducing structural complexity and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a cleaning element is used to scrape the bottom of the slag channel, then accumulations and incrustations are removed, but the refractory coating is damaged and bricks detach
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration to the cleaning element (closure panel) to enable effective removal of accumulations and incrustations without damaging the refractory coating. The vibrating movement allows the cleaning element to break apart adherent material and wedged debris through vibratory forces rather than through sliding friction that would damage the coating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mode of action from continuous sliding contact to intermittent vibratory contact. By transforming the cleaning mechanism from a sliding action to a vibrating action, the physical parameters of the cleaning process are altered to achieve effective cleaning while minimizing damage to the refractory coating.
2Productivity
If a cleaning element is designed to effectively remove adherent accumulations, then cleaning performance improves, but the structure becomes complex, heavy and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The closure panel serves multiple functions: it acts as a closure element for the slag doorway, a cleaning element for removing accumulations from the threshold and channel bottom, and a structural support component. By making the closure panel multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate complex cleaning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cleaning function with the closure panel structure. Instead of having a separate cleaning device, the cleaning capability is integrated into the closure panel itself, which is already present in the system. This combination simplifies the overall structure while maintaining effective cleaning capability through vibratory motion.
3Productivity
If high-power actuators are used to drive the cleaning element, then cleaning capability is sufficient, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mechanical vibration as the driving mechanism for cleaning, which requires significantly less energy than high-power continuous sliding actuators. The vibratory motion efficiently breaks apart and removes accumulations through resonant and vibratory forces, reducing the power requirements of the actuating system.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning action is performed through periodic vibratory movements rather than continuous high-force sliding. This periodic action allows the system to achieve effective cleaning through repeated small-amplitude vibrations that accumulate to remove material, rather than requiring sustained high-power input.
4Productivity
If the furnace structure is reinforced to support heavy cleaning equipment, then the cleaning apparatus can be supported, but installation becomes burdensome and furnace functionality is altered
Solution Approach 1:
The closure panel is designed to perform multiple functions including structural support, sealing, and cleaning. By making it multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate heavy cleaning equipment that would require reinforced furnace structure and complex installation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning function is segmented into the existing closure panel structure rather than adding a separate heavy cleaning system. This segmentation allows the cleaning capability to be integrated into the existing furnace components without requiring additional structural reinforcement or complex installation.
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 apparatus enables efficient and complete removal of accumulations while preserving the refractory coating, simplifying the cleaning process, reducing maintenance needs, and lowering energy and structural burdens, thus enhancing furnace productivity and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
imparting to such a closure panel a vibrating or oscillating movement with non null component incident the bottom (109) of the slag channel (108)
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus closing a slag doorway and cleaning the slag doorway and channel of a metallurgical furnace including walls defining a slag doorway and a slag channel that crosses the slag doorway and has a bottom. The apparatus includes a support structure associable with the furnace, at least one slag-breaking body including a lower border that, under mounting conditions of the apparatus on the furnace, is directed towards the bottom and at a definable height, the slag-breaking body being associated with the support structure in a movable manner along the slag channel away and/or towards the slag doorway to wipe, with its lower border, the bottom or a parallel plane, and a vibrating or oscillating mechanism associated with the slag-breaking body to confer a vibrating or oscillating movement with non null component incident the bottom, during a travel performed during its movement away or towards the slag doorway.