Continuous charging apparatus
AssigneeBritish Steel Corporation
InventorAndrew D. Robertson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention relates to continuous charging apparatus and in particular provides a gravity feed chute (8,9) for the particulate feedstock secured to the furnace roof (1) and which communicates with the internal furnace area. In order to prevent the furnace gases passing into the atmosphere through this chute a number of pipes (10,11) are provided which extend into the chute for injecting steam or other gases therein, so as to contain the furnace gases.
Claims16
Apparatus for continuously charging particulate feedstock into an electric arc furnace normally containing furnace gases under positive pressure, comprising a furnace housing, a gravity feed chute for the feedstock secured to the furnace housing to form a closed fluid flow path and communicating with the furnace interior, and means for supplying steam or other gases in said feed chute at a mass flow rate and velocity sufficient to create a momentum flux in the chute exceeding the blowout force in the chute of the furnace gases.
Apparatus for continuously charging particulate feedstock into an electric arc furnace from a conveyor structure, comprising a furnace housing normally containing furnace gases under positive pressure, a first gravity feed chute for the feedstock secured to the furnace housing to form a closed fluid flow path and communicating with the furnace interior, a second gravity feed chute spaced apart from said first chute for receiving said feedstock from the conveyor, and means for injecting steam at a mass flow rate and velocity sufficient to create a momentum flux in the chute exceeding the blowout force in the chute of the furnace gases, said steam injecting means comprising a plurality of pipes providing communication between a source of steam and said chute.
A method of charging particulate feedstock into an electric arc furnace normally containing furnace gases under positive pressure comprising:
- (a) charging the feedstock through an enclosed chute forming a closed flow path into the furnace interior;
- (b) supplying steam or other gases into the chute at a mass flow rate and velocity sufficient to create a momentum flux in the chute exceeding the blowout force in the chute of the furnace gases.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.