Method and apparatus for clearing a powder accumulation in a powder delivery tube
AssigneeISG Technologies Inc.
InventorsRobert K. Brown, Mark J. Zolenas
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for monitoring coal flow through a coal delivery tube in a blast furnace fuel injection system is disclosed, which system automatically actuates a purge cycle for clearing accumulations of coal from a coal lance when a temperature drop indicative of an imminent blockage is detected. A method of controlling the purge system is also disclosed.
Claims32
A purging system for clearing an accumulation of powder from a powder delivery tube comprising:
- a sensor mounted outside the powder delivery tube between a powder source and a powder destination for measuring conditions between said powder source and said powder destination and for producing signals representing a flow rate of powder within the powder delivery tube;
- a source of fluid under pressure selectively connectable to a first location on said powder delivery tube through a first valve;
- and
- a controller operatively connected to said sensor and said first valve for controlling said first valve in response to the signals from said sensor.
A method of clearing an accumulation of coal in a coal tube connecting a source of coal to a tuyere comprising the steps of:
- monitoring a condition on an exterior surface of the coal tube indicative of a flow rate of material through the coal tube;
- determining when said flow rate has dropped to below a predetermined level;
- stopping the flow of coal though said coal tube;
- purging said coal tube with a fluid under pressure;
- and
- restarting the flow of coal through said coal tube.
A method of clearing an accumulation of coal in a coal tube comprising the steps of:
- monitoring the temperature of a coal tube;
- stopping the flow of coal though said coal tube when said temperature falls below a predetermined level;
- purging said coal tube with a fluid under pressure;
- and
- restarting the flow of coal through said coal tube.
In a system comprising a blast furnace having at least one tuyere, a blowpipe for delivering a heated fluid to said tuyere, a source of coal and a coal tube connected between said source of coal and said blowpipe, the improvement comprising:
- a source of pressurized fluid connected to said coal tube at a first location;
- a first valve between said source of pressurized fluid and said coal tube for controlling the flow of fluid from the source of pressurized fluid;
- a second valve in said coal tube between said first location and said source of coal;
- a third valve in said coal tube between said first location and said tuyere;
- a controller for controlling said first, second and third valves;
- and
- a temperature measuring device operatively connected to said controller for measuring the temperature of said coal tube.
A purging system for clearing an accumulation of coal from a coal lance fed by a coal pipe comprising:
- a temperature sensor connected to the coal pipe for producing signals representative of a sensed temperature;
- a source of fluid selectively connectable to said coal lance through a valve;
- and
- a controller operatively connected to said sensor for controlling said valve in response to the signals from said sensor;
- whereby said controller automatically opens said valve for a period of time when the temperature of said coal pipe falls below a given level.
A method of regulating the flow of coal in a system for delivering coal from a source of coal to a coal lance comprising the steps of:
- connecting the source of coal to the coal lance with a coal pipe;
- providing a source of fluid under pressure;
- connecting the source of fluid to said coal pipe at a first location;
- providing a first valve between the source of fluid and the first location;
- providing a second valve between said source of coal and the first location;
- providing a third valve between said first location and said coal lance;
- closing said first valve and opening said second and third valves;
- measuring the temperature of said coal pipe;
- and
- if the temperature of said coal pipe falls below a given value, closing said second valve and opening said first valve for a first period of time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.