An electrode joining apparatus for joining a free electrode to a fixed electrode, the fixed electrode having a top end. The apparatus can include an electrode holder configured to selectively hold the fixed electrode. A torque device can be positioned above the electrode holder, the torque device configured to grip and spin the free electrode to join the free electrode to the fixed electrode. A blowout jet can be oriented to selectively force a stream of gas toward the top end of the fixed electrode when the fixed electrode is held by the electrode holder. As such, the blowout jet can help remove dust, debris, or graphite residue on the top end of the fixed electrode before joining of the free electrode to the fixed electrode. The fixed electrode can include a threaded socket, the blow jet oriented to force the stream of gas toward the threaded socket.

An electrode joining apparatus for joining a free electrode to a fixed electrode, the fixed electrode having a top end. The apparatus can include an electrode holder configured to selectively hold the fixed electrode. A torque device can be positioned above the electrode holder, the torque device configured to grip and spin the free electrode to join the free electrode to the fixed electrode. A blowout jet can be oriented to selectively force a stream of gas toward the top end of the fixed electrode when the fixed electrode is held by the electrode holder. As such, the blowout jet can help remove dust, debris, or graphite residue on the top end of the fixed electrode before joining of the free electrode to the fixed electrode. The fixed electrode can include a threaded socket, the blow jet oriented to force the stream of gas toward the threaded socket.

A system and method for monitoring consumption of graphite electrodes during the operation of an electric arc furnace (EAF) uses machine vision cameras operatively communicating with a computer processor. The system can determine, track, manage, and optimize the consumption of the graphite electrodes in real time. Electrode consumption is determined for each EAF heat by measuring the length and tip diameter of the electrode. The length and tip diameter are used to determine the electrode consumption amount using a consumption model. Measured hydraulic pressure within the EAF correlating with a known electrode weight can also be used to determine electrode consumption and correlated with the model calculation. Butt loss can also be determined based on the machine vision measured lengths of the electrode and/or based on the hydraulic pressure. The calculated electrode consumption amounts are also stored in a database and correlated to other measured EAF parameters for multiple EAFs.

A lifting adaptor configured to lift a graphite electrode includes a main body having a threaded end to secure the lifting adaptor to threads of the graphite electrode, and a lifting component coupled to the main body opposite the threaded end to lift the graphite electrode. The threaded end of the main body may comprise a non-graphite material with a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) similar to Invar, within +/−0 to 1 (μm/(m K)) over a range from room temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

A lifting adaptor configured to lift a graphite electrode includes a main body having a threaded end to secure the lifting adaptor to threads of the graphite electrode, and a lifting component coupled to the main body opposite the threaded end to lift the graphite electrode. The threaded end of the main body may comprise a non-graphite material with a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) similar to Invar, within +/−0 to 1 (μm/(m K)) over a range from room temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

The tool according to the invention comprises a connecting head (22) support (70) extending along a longitudinal axis (B-B′); a mold base (72), supported by the support (70), the mold base (72) defining an axial orifice for passage of the connecting head (22); an end-piece (74) for mounting the support (70) on a movement member for moving the tool in the mold; and a mechanism (76) for longitudinal immobilization of the connecting head (22) on the support (70). The mechanism (76) for longitudinal immobilization is longitudinally adjustable relative to the support (70) in order to immobilize the connecting head (22) relative to the support (70) in at least two different longitudinal positions along the longitudinal axis (B-B′).

The tool according to the invention comprises a connecting head (22) support (70) extending along a longitudinal axis (B-B′); a mold base (72), supported by the support (70), the mold base (72) defining an axial orifice for passage of the connecting head (22); an end-piece (74) for mounting the support (70) on a movement member for moving the tool in the mold; and a mechanism (76) for longitudinal immobilization of the connecting head (22) on the support (70). The mechanism (76) for longitudinal immobilization is longitudinally adjustable relative to the support (70) in order to immobilize the connecting head (22) relative to the support (70) in at least two different longitudinal positions along the longitudinal axis (B-B′).

A device for welding together cylindrical sections of a casing. The device comprises a clamping ring configured to surround and attach to a section of the casing and a robot provided with a welding gun and at least one joint, wherein the robot is movably attached to the clamping ring by cooperating means. A method for welding cylindrical sections of a casing by using such a device includes the steps of a) positioning and clamping the clamping ring at the correct position, b) moving the robot along the clamping ring to the correct position for welding, c) welding the sections to each other by the welding gun of the robot, and d) releasing the clamping ring.

A lifting adaptor configured to lift a graphite electrode includes a main body having a threaded end to secure the lifting adaptor to threads of the graphite electrode, and a lifting component coupled to the main body opposite the threaded end to lift the graphite electrode. The threaded end of the main body may comprise a non-graphite material with a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) similar to Invar, within +/−0 to 1 (μm/(m K)) over a range from room temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

A lifting adaptor configured to lift a graphite electrode includes a main body having a threaded end to secure the lifting adaptor to threads of the graphite electrode, and a lifting component coupled to the main body opposite the threaded end to lift the graphite electrode. The threaded end of the main body may comprise a non-graphite material with a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) similar to Invar, within +/−0 to 1 (μm/(m K)) over a range from room temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.