MULTIPLE-CHANNEL REFRIGERATED PANEL FOR BLAST FURNACES AND OTHER INDUSTRIAL FURNACES

Abstract

This present invention is a cooled panel (23) used on the walls of blast furnaces (1) and other industrial furnaces consisting of a body (25) of copper, cast iron or other metal alloy, independent internal cooling channels (24) and protection sleeves (26) attached to the panel body and the pipes (27) that link the couplings to the internal cooling channels (24). The cooled panel (23) features the amount of internal cooling channels (24) greater than the number of coupling sets (31), which are connected to the furnace water system feeding and return (35).

Claims

1. A cooled panel (23) for blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces, comprising: a body (25) cooled through cooling channels (24), at least one set of couplings (31) for connecting with the water system feed and return, a plurality of cooling channels (24) built-in the body (25) and a plurality of pipes (27) connecting the cooling channels (24) to each set of couplings (31); characterized by the fact that the panel's side of each coupling (31) breaches into a plurality of tubes (27) before getting in the panel body (25).

2. A cooled panel (23) for blast furnace and other industrial furnaces, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the panel's side (28) of each coupling (31) breaches into a plurality of tubes (27) before getting in the furnace (1), defining as a limit the line that limits the inside face of the furnace housing (7).

3. A cooled panel (23) for blast furnace and other industrial furnaces, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the body (25) is cast, rolled, forged or extruded.

4. A cooled panel (23) for blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that each set of couplings (31) has two cooling channels (24) built-in in the body (25).

5. A cooled panel (23) for blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that each set of couplings (31) has three or more cooling channels (24) built-in the body (25)

6. A cooled panel (23) for blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that each set of tubes (27), deriving from each set of cooling channels (24), that converge into a single coupling (31) when leaving the panel's body (25), is contained in a single protected sleeve (26), fixed to the panel (23).

7. A cooled panel (23) for blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that each set of pipes (27), deriving from each set of cooling channels that converge in a single coupling (31), when leaving the body (25) of the panel (23), is contained in a single protection sleeve (26), fixed to the body (25) of the panel (23), and that the connection between the tubes (27) exit from the protection sleeve (26) and the panel's side of the coupling (28) is made by welding (32).

8. A cooled panel (23) for blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that each set of pipes (27), deriving from each set of cooling channels (24) that converge in a single coupling (31), when leaving the body (25) of the panel (23), is contained in a single protection sleeve (26), fixed to the body (25) of the panel (23) and that the tubes (27), after leaving the protection sleeve (26), are connected sealed by welding (32) into a single coupling (31) that connects to the furnace cooling system.

9. A cooled panel (23) for blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the passage between the panel's side of the coupling (28) and the space (36) between the inside surface of the protection sleeve (26) and the outside surface of the tubes (27) is sealed.

10. A cooled panel (23) for blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces, according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the protection sleeve (27) has a circular or other section and is fixed to the body (25) by being embedded during casting process, by welding or by mechanical union, such as thread or flange with screws, or a combination of such fastening methods.

11. A cooled panel (23) for blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the confluency between the inlet or outlet flows of water from internal cooling channels (24), when they come together to converge in each of the couplings (31), is made by making the plurality of pipes (27), relative to each coupling, converge within a single conduct, in the panel's side of the coupling 21, in which the cross-section of all pipes (27), whose water flows are directed to (or from) the same coupling, fit.

12. A cooled panel (23) for blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces, according to claim L characterized by the fact that each of the pipes (27) connecting the cooling channels (24) built-in the body (25) of the panel (23), to couplings (31), has its end towards the coupling directly visible and accessible throughout its section, when the coupling is disconnected.

13. A cooled panel (23) for blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the area of the water passage section in each of the plurality of cooling channels (24) built-in the panel body (25) is less than half of the water passage section in the respective coupling (31).

14. A cooled panel (29) for blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that at least one channel (30) passes horizontally on the top edge of the panel and at least one channel passes horizontally on the bottom edge of the panel, remaining parallel to them along its extensions, without deviations or interruptions throughout the course between the curves that constitute the entrance and exit of the cooling channel in the parallel part to the respective edge and the fact that the channel (or channels) that run(s) through the top edge and the channel (or channels) that run(s) the bottom edge originate in the same coupling (31) of input and converge in the same output coupling (31).

15. A cooled panel (29) for blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces, according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that at least one of the channels (30) that passes on the top or bottom edges of the panel travels the panel clockwise while at least another of these channels travels the panel counterclockwise.

16. A cooled panel (23) for blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces, comprising: a body (25) cooled through cooling channels (24), at least one set of couplings (31) for connecting with the water system feed and return, a plurality of cooling channels (24) built-in the body (25) and a plurality of pipes (27) connecting the cooling channels (24) to each set of couplings (31); characterized by the fact that each set of couplings (31) breaches into 3 or more cooling channels (24) built-in in the panel's body.

17. A cooled panel (23) for blast furnace and other industrial furnaces, according to claim 16, characterized by the fact that the body (25) is cast, rolled, forged or extruded.

18. A cooled panel (23) for blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces, according to claim 16, characterized by the fact that each set of couplings (31) has three cooling channels (24) built-in in the body (25).

19. A cooled panel (23) for blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces, according to claim 16, characterized by the fact that each set of couplings (31) has four or more cooling channels (24) built-in in the body (25).

20. A cooled panel (23) for blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces, according to claim 16, characterized by the fact that the confluency between the inlet or outlet flows of water from internal cooling channels (24), when they come together to converge in each of the couplings (31), is made by making the plurality of pipes (27), relative to each coupling, converge within a single conduct, in the panel's side of the coupling (28), in which the cross-section of all pipes (27), whose water flows are directed to (or from) the same coupling, fit.

21. A cooled panel (23) for blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces, according to claim 16, characterized by the fact that each of the pipes (27) connecting the cooling channels (24) built-in the body (25) of the panel (23), to couplings (31), has its end towards the coupling directly visible and accessible throughout its section, when the coupling is disconnected.

22. A cooled panel (23) for blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces, according to claim 16, characterized by the fact that the area of the water passage section in each of the plurality of cooling channels (24) built-in the panel body (25) is less than half of the water passage section in the respective coupling (31).

23. A cooled panel (29) for blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces, according to claim 16, characterized by the fact that at least one channel (30) passes horizontally on the top edge of the panel and at least one channel passes horizontally on the bottom edge of the panel, remaining parallel to them along its extensions, without deviations or interruptions throughout the course between the curves that constitute the entrance and exit of the cooling channel in the parallel part to the respective edge and the fact that the channel (or channels) that run(s) through the top edge and the channel (or channels) that run(s) the bottom edge originate in the same coupling (31) of input and converge in the same output coupling (31).

24. A cooled panel (29) for blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces, according to claim 23, characterized by the fact that at least one of the channels (30) that travels on the top or bottom edges of the panel passes the panel clockwise while at least another of these channels travels the panel counterclockwise.

25. A cooled panel (23) for blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces, according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that the protection sleeve (27) has a circular or other section and is fixed to the body (25) by being embedded during casting process, by welding or by mechanical union, such as thread or flange with screws, or a combination of such fastening methods.

26. A cooled panel (23) for blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces, according claim 7, characterized by the fact that the protection sleeve (27) has a circular or other section and is fixed to the body (25) by being embedded during casting process, by welding or by mechanical union, such as thread or flange with screws, or a combination of such fastening methods.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The present invention can be better understood by the detailed description in line with the attached figures.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a side-cut view of a blast furnace.

[0021] FIG. 1A is an enlarged view of part of the side cut of the blast furnace.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a horizontal-cut view of a blast furnace.

[0023] FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of part of the horizontal cut of the blast furnace.

[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the cold face of a cooled panel made of rolled copper, according to the current state of the technique.

[0025] FIG. 3A illustrates a longitudinal cut view of a cooled panel made of rolled copper, according to the current state of the technique.

[0026] FIG. 3B illustrates a top view of a cooled panel made of rolled copper, according to the current state of the art.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a front view of the cold face of a cooled panel made of cast copper, according to the current state of the art.

[0028] FIG. 4A is a longitudinal cut view of a cooled panel made of cast copper, according to the current state of the art.

[0029] FIG. 4B is a top view of a cooled panel made of cast copper, according to the current state of the art.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a front view of the cold face of a cooled panel made of cast copper, according to the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 5A is a longitudinal cut view of a cooled panel made of cast copper, according to the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 5B is a top view of a cooled panel made of cast copper, according to the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a front view of the cold face of a cooled panel made of cast copper, according to the present invention, with channels parallel to the top and bottom edges.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a side-cut view of the water inlet (or outlet) assembly, according to the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 7A is a cross-section view of the sleeve containing the water inlet (or outlet) pipes, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0036] FIG. 1 exhibits a blast furnace 1, containing a hearth 2 where the liquid pig iron is accumulated, the region of the tuyeres 3 through which the hot air is blown into the furnace, a bosh 4, belly 5 and stack 6 on which the descending furnace load goes through the chemical reactions of ore reduction, besides heating and load melting. The furnace is sealed externally by a shell 7, which fully enfolds its inside, and to which cooled panels 8 are assembled on its inner face.

[0037] FIG. 1A illustrates a vertical cut of a partial set of cooled panels 8 according to the current state of the technique, fixed to the inner side of the shell 7, with their respective water inlet and outlet pipes 9 that go through the shell 7.

[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates the A - A section of a blast furnace where shell 7 and cooled panels 8 appear.

[0039] FIG. 2A illustrates the horizontal cut of a set of cooled panels 8 according to the current state of the technique, fixed to the inner side of the shell 7, with their respective water inlet and outlet pipes 9, that go through the shell 7.

[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates the front view of the cold face of a rolled cooled panel 10, it's an example among the plurality of panels according to the current state of the technique, where, in vertical dashed lines, there are the internal cooling channels 11, obtained through hole machining, and the water inlet and outlet pipes 12.

[0041] FIG. 3A illustrates the longitudinal cut of a rolled cooled panel 10, according to the current state of the technique, made up of a body 13 obtained from a solid piece, an internal cooling channel 11 and the water inlet and outlet tubes 12 that leave the panel on the cold face 14. Also, in FIG. 3A, there are cavities 15 and ribs 16 that in some types of cooled panels characterize the hot face 17.

[0042] FIG. 3B illustrates the top view of a rolled cooled panel 10 according to the current state of the technique in which there are the water inlet or outlet tubes 12.

[0043] FIG. 4 illustrates the front view of the cold face of a cast cooled panel 18, it's an example among the plurality of panels according to the current state of the technique where, in vertical dashed lines, there are the internal cooling channels 19, consisting of steel or other metal alloy tubes, which are embedded in the cast body 20 of the panel. There are also the protection sleeves (tubes) 21, embedded in the cast copper body, which have the function of protecting the water inlet and outlet pipes 22 of the panels. The designation “embedded” will be used to inform that the part is fixed to the cast body during the casting process, in which the liquid metal solidifies and fixes the part of the piece in contact with it.

[0044] FIG. 4A illustrates the longitudinal cut of a cast cooled panel 18, according to the current state of the technique, in which there is a cast body 20, an internal cooling channel 19 and the water inlet and outlet tubes 22 that leave the panel on the cold face 14. Also, in FIG. 4A, there are the cavities 15 and ribs 16 that in some types of cooled panels, characterize the hot face 17, and the protection sleeves 21, embedded in the cast body, which protect the water inlet and outlet tubes of the panels.

[0045] FIG. 4B illustrates the upper view of a cast cooled panel 18 according to the current state of the technique in which the protection sleeves 21 appear, embedded in the cast body, and the water inlet or outlet tubes 22, each one protected by their respective protection sleeve (26).

[0046] FIG. 5 illustrates the front view of the cold face of a cooled panel cast according to new design 23, where the internal cooling channels 24 appear in dashed lines, consisting of steel or other metal alloy tubes, which are embedded in the body of the panel 25. There are also the steel sleeves 26, embedded in the panel body, each of which has sufficient diameter to contain the tubes 27 that constitute the continuation of the internal cooling channels that converge into each cooling water outlet coupling or originate from each cooling water inlet coupling.

[0047] FIG. 5A illustrates the longitudinal cut of a cooled panel cast according to new design 23, in which it appears the cast body 25, an internal cooling channel 24 that longitudinally crosses the panel, and the cavities 15 and the ribs 16 that in some types of cooled panels, characterize the hot face 17. There are also, in FIG. 5A, the protection sleeves 26, embedded in the panel body, within which the inlet and outlet pipes 27 of the cooling water system of the panel are contained. Tubes 27 are joined by welding at its end to the panel's side of the coupling 28, made of steel or other metal alloy. In the case of the water outlet of the panel, the panel's side of the coupling 28 gathers the water flows from the internal cooling pipes 27 into a single duct and is connected by a single coupling to the furnace cooling system. In the case of the water inlet, the panel's side of the coupling 28 is connected by a single coupling, and the cooling water flow that comes from the panel's side of the coupling is branched into a plurality of tubes 27 entering the body of panel 25, cooling it.

[0048] FIG. 5B illustrates the upper view of a cast cooled panel 23, according to a new design, in which the protection sleeves 26 appear, embedded in the panel body, each of which contains the cooling water inlet or outlet tubes of the panel, and inside each protection sleeve, the tubes that derive from each inlet coupling or that are directed to each outlet coupling through the panel's side of the coupling 28.

[0049] FIG. 6 illustrates the front view of the cold face of a cast cooled panel according to the new design, referred to in reference number 29, where the internal cooling channels 24 appear in dashed lines, consisting of steel or other metal alloy tubes, which are embedded in the cast body of the panel and which, in the configuration illustrated in this figure, pass horizontally 30 at the lower and upper ends of the panel, remaining parallel to the bottom and top edges of the panel, without deviations, interruptions or interposition of inlets or outlets of cooling water. This setting optimizes cooling at the top and bottom ends of the cooled panel.

[0050] Pipes that remain parallel to the bottom and top edges of the panel, without deviations, interruptions or interposition of coolant water inlets or outlets, originate in an inlet coupling located near one of the four corners of the panel and end at the coupling located near the opposite corner, and among the pipes that originate and end in these opposite couplings, one or more go around the panel clockwise and one or more go around the panel counterclockwise. In this way all other cooling channels in the panel body are contained in the perimeter delimited by the channels that are originated in the two mentioned couplings, located in opposite corners

[0051] FIG. 7 illustrates the side detail view of the set of components that make up the inlet, or outlet, of the water and its connection to the furnace cooling system, where we have the internal cooling channels 24 of the cast cooled panel according to new design 23. The tubes 27 that form the inner channels converge and leave the casted body 25 inserted inside a protection sleeve 26. The connection between the end of tubes 27 to each other and to the panel's side of the coupling 28 is made by welding 32 or other method that guarantee the independency between the cooling water flow and the space created between the inside surface of the protection sleeve 26 and the outside surface of the tubes 27, avoiding leakages in case of some damage at the protection sleeve 26. For furnace gas sealing, the metal component 33 which can be rigid or flexible is welded to furnace housing 7 and protection sleeve 26. To avoid gas leaks, the protection sleeve 26 is preferably attached by welding to the pipes 27 inserted within it, in a certain way that, even if there is damage at the protection sleeve 26 region exposed to the inside furnace atmosphere, there won't be any gas leakage from the inside out. The coupling 31 connects the panel to the flexible pipe 35, which derives from the external cooling circuits of the furnace, constituting part of them.

[0052] FIG. 7A illustrates the front view, from the cold face side, the panel's side of the coupling 28, made of steel, the tubes that form the inner channels 27, and the connection weld 32. Also, it appears in this figure the cap 34. This cap is used to interrupt the flow of water in a channel that has eventually leaked, without impairing the flow of cooling water in the other channels connected to the same coupling. The cap can be installed to each tube 27 individually through the inner thread opening in it.

[0053] It should be noted that tubes 27 mentioned in the description of FIG. 5, 5A, 5B, 7 and 7A, whose function is to connect the embedded cooling channels 24 in the body 25 of the panel to the panel's side of the coupling 28 of the respective coupling 31, may have different sections from that circular illustrated in the figures and different also from the section of the internal cooling channels from which they originate.

[0054] It should be noted that variations in format, inclusion of windows or holes, modifications and alterations of the invention described here in this case are possible to those versed in the technique, without escaping the scope of the present invention or equivalents of this invention, and must be encompassed by the attached claims and their equivalents. There must also be included in the present invention “mixed” configuration panels, that is, panels that fit, in a part of their extension, within the criteria of the present invention and that have another part performed according to conventional criteria.