Technique and apparatus for ladle cleanout
AssigneeUSS/KOBE Steel Company
InventorsJohn Paddock, Fred H. Vandersluis, David J. Diederich
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Abstract
An apparatus and technique for collecting fumes from a metallurgical vessel such as a ladle are disclosed. The apparatus and technique are particularly well suited for collecting fumes during a cleanout operation of one or more discharge ports along the bottom of the vessel when the vessel is inverted on its side.
Claims4
A system for collecting fumes emitted during a cleanout operation of a metallurgical vessel having a first open end providing access to the interior of the vessel, and a second closed end defining at least one blocked port in need of cleaning, said system comprising:
- a primary hood adapted to engage said open end of said vessel,
- a secondary hood for placement proximate to said second end of said vessel and said port defined in said second end;
- a primary hood cart upon which is disposed said primary hood, wherein said cart facilitates movement of said hood;
- a transport assembly affixed to a stationary base, said transport assembly including (i) a motor, (ii) a drive unit coupled to and powered by said motor, and (iii) a cable or chain assembly retractable by operation of said motor and said drive unit, wherein said cable or chain assembly is selectively engageable to at least one of said primary hood and said primary hood cart;
- and
- at least one air handling assembly in communication with said primary hood and said secondary hood, wherein upon operation of said air handling assembly, said fumes emitted during said cleanout operation of said vessel are collected by said primary hood and said secondary hood.
A method of collecting fumes, smoke, and gases during cleanout of a blocked discharge port in a ladle, said ladle having a first open end providing access to an interior region of said ladle, and a second closed end at which is defined said discharge port, said method comprising:
- providing a first hood, a second hood, and at least one air handling assembly, said first and second hoods being in communication with said at least one air handling assembly;
- engaging said first hood over and generally covering said open end of said ladle;
- positioning said second hood proximate to said discharge port;
- and
- operating said at least one air handling assembly whereby air within said interior region of said ladle is drawn into said first hood and air proximate to said discharge port is drawn into said second hood.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.