US 7,901,616 B2 · Method of building a direct smelting plant

Abstract

Method of building a direct smelting plant comprising a metal smelting vessel (11) and ancillary plant components such as the components of a hot air supply station (24), an offgas treatment station (32), a solids feed station (41), a hot metal desulphurization station (47) and hot metal and slag launders extending from the smelting vessel (11). The ring track (53) of a ringer crane (51) is installed in front of location at which vessel (11) is to be installed. Crane boom (54) is laid out along elongate stretch of the building site which becomes a corridor (60) between major ancillary components when plant is fully erected. Boom (54) is connected to crane carriage (52) and hoisted to provide high lift capacity over a ground area embracing proposed site of vessel (11) and ancillary components. Prefabricated components are then lifted by crane (51) into appropriate position for final installation. After installation is completed boom (54) is laid down along corridor (60) and crane (51) is dismantled and removed, leaving corridor (60) as an access laneway.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A method of building a direct smelting plant comprising:

locating a ring track of a ringer crane on a plant site such that a lifting boom of the ringer crane can sweep a ground area about the ring track;
installing a metal smelting vessel and ancillary plant components within said swept ground area by lifting with the crane the vessel and the ancillary plant components either as prefabricated whole units or in prefabricated pieces into locations within the swept ground area, but so as to leave an elongate corridor of vacant ground extending through the swept area to the ring track, at least some of the ancillary plant components being positioned at locations spaced along the corridor;
lowering the boom down into the corridor;
and
dismantling and removing the ringer crane and leaving at least part of the corridor available for vehicular access to the metal smelting vessel.

2 more elements

A method of building a direct smelting plant consisting of a smelt reduction vessel and ancillary plant using a heavy lift crane, comprising;

forming a load bearing base for the heavy lift crane on the site of the direct smelting plant;
locating the heavy lift crane on the load bearing base and assembling a lifting boom to a carriage of the crane so as to enable the boom to sweep a ground area about the carriage to thereby provide a swept ground area;
installing the smelt reduction vessel and ancillary plant components within said swept ground area by lifting with the crane the vessel and the ancillary plant components either as prefabricated whole units or in prefabricated pieces into locations within the swept ground area while leaving an elongate corridor of vacant ground extending through the swept area to the carriage;
selecting ancillary equipment and/or components for installation within at least a portion of said swept ground area such that the ancillary equipment and/or components have a maximum elevation that is restricted, whereby the lifting boom of the heavy lift crane can lift said prefabricated whole units or said prefabricated pieces over said ancillary equipment located within said portion of said swept ground area;
installing the ancillary equipment and/or components within said portion of said swept ground area;
selecting one or more locations for the ancillary equipment and/or components within said swept ground area so as to enable said boom of said heavy lift crane to sweep at least a 100 degree arc when lifting the ancillary equipment and/or components;
lowering the boom down into the corridor;
and
dismantling and removing the crane and leaving at least part of the corridor available for vehicular access to the smelt reduction vessel.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of building a direct smelting plant

Life of this patent

Method of building a direct smelting plant

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29