METALLURGICAL FURNACE

Abstract

The invention relates to a metallurgic furnace, in particular a metallurgic furnace for receiving a molten metal.

Claims

1. A metallurgical furnace (1) comprising the following features: 1.1 a furnace wall (2) enclosing a furnace chamber (3); 1.2 the furnace wall (3) comprises at least one cooling element (4), wherein the cooling element (4) comprises the following features: 1.2.1 a metal element (5) comprising a side (6) facing the furnace chamber (3); 1.2.2 a masonry (10) arranged opposite the side (6) of the metal element (5) facing the furnace chamber (3) and at a distance from this side (6) of the metal element (5); 1.2.3 the masonry (10) comprises refractory bricks (11) arranged in several layers (11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5) one above the other; 1.2.4 metal rails (9) extending through the masonry (10); 1.2.5 guide means (7, 7.1, 7.2; 9.3, 9.4) by means of which the metal rails (9) are vertically guidable fastened to the metal element (5).

2. Furnace (1) according to claim 1, wherein the masonry (10) is erected without mortar.

3. Furnace (1) according to claim 1, wherein the metal rails (9) run along the side (6) of the metal element (5) facing the furnace chamber (3).

4. Furnace (1) according to claim 1, wherein the metal rails (9) run at a constant distance from the metal element (5) along the side (6) of the metal element (5) facing the furnace chamber (3).

5. Furnace (1) according to claim 1, wherein the metal rails (9) run horizontally.

6. Furnace (1) according to claim 1, wherein the metal rails (9) run in grooves (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22) formed in the refractory bricks (11) of the masonry (10).

7. Furnace (1) according to claim 6, wherein the grooves (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22) are formed on the bottom side, the top side or both on the bottom side and the top side of the refractory bricks (11).

8. Furnace (1) according to claim 1, wherein the masonry (10) has a side (13) facing the side (6) of the metal element (5) facing the furnace chamber (3), and wherein the metal rails (9) have sections (9.2) projecting beyond said side (13) of the masonry (10).

9. Furnace (1) according to claim 8, wherein the sections (9.2) extend at least along the predominant length of the masonry (10).

10. Furnace (1) according to claim 1, wherein the guide means (7, 7.1, 7.2; 9.3, 9.4) are designed as rail guide.

11. Furnace (1) according to claim 10, wherein the rail guide (7, 7.1, 7.2; 9.3, 9.4) comprises guide rails (7) on which the metal rails (9) are vertically guidable arranged.

12. Furnace (1) according to claim 11, wherein the guide rails (7) are arranged on the side of the metal element (5) facing the furnace chamber (3).

13. Furnace (1) according to claim 1, wherein a sealing means is arranged between the metal element (5) and the masonry (10).

14. Furnace (1) according to claim 1, wherein the furnace chamber (3) is designed to receive a molten metal.

15. Furnace (1) according to claim 1, which is designed for obtaining copper by the flash smelting method.

Description

[0061] Examples of embodiments of a furnace wall of a metallurgical furnace according to the invention are shown in the attached figures and explained in more detail in the associated, following figure description.

[0062] It is illustrated in

[0063] FIG. 1 an embodiment of a furnace according to the invention in a lateral sectional view;

[0064] FIG. 2 a perspective view from above of a cooling element of the furnace wall of the furnace according to FIG. 1;

[0065] FIG. 3 a cooling element according to FIG. 2 in a frontal view of the masonry of the cooling element as seen from the furnace chamber;

[0066] FIG. 4 the cooling element according to FIG. 2 in a top view;

[0067] FIG. 5 a side view of the cooling element according to FIG. 2;

[0068] FIG. 6 a section of the illustration according to FIG. 5;

[0069] FIG. 7 the metal element of the cooling element according to FIG. 2 in a perspective view from oblique above;

[0070] FIG. 8 the metal element of the cooling element according to FIG. 2 in a frontal view from the masonry;

[0071] FIG. 9 the metal element of the cooling element according to FIG. 2 in a top view;

[0072] FIG. 10 a metal rail of the cooling element according to FIG. 2 in a perspective view from oblique above;

[0073] FIG. 11 an alternative embodiment of a metal rail in a perspective view from oblique above;

[0074] FIG. 12 an alternative embodiment of a metal element in a perspective view from oblique above;

[0075] FIG. 13 the metal element according to FIG. 12 in a frontal view;

[0076] FIG. 14 the metal element according to FIG. 12 in a top view;

[0077] FIG. 15 another alternative embodiment of a metal element in a frontal view;

[0078] FIG. 16 the metal element according to FIG. 15 in a top view; and

[0079] FIG. 17 another alternative embodiment of a metal rail in a perspective view from oblique above.

[0080] In the Figures, identical or similarly acting elements are partially marked with the same reference signs.

[0081] The metallurgical furnace marked in its entirety with the reference sign 1 in FIG. 1 is an industrial furnace designed for the production of copper by the flash smelting process. The furnace 1 comprises a furnace wall 2 which encloses a furnace chamber 3. The furnace chamber 3 is designed to receive a molten metal, in the exemplary embodiment molten copper.

[0082] The furnace wall 2 comprises a cooling element 4 shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 to 6.

[0083] The cooling element 4 comprises a metal element 5 in the form of a tabular copper plate. Conduits (not shown) are formed inside the metal element 5 for passing a cooling fluid in the form of water through the metal element 5. The metal element 5 has a flat side 6 facing the furnace chamber 3. A plurality of guide rails 7, in the exemplary embodiment a total of four, arranged at a distance from one another, are fastened next to one another on this side 6 of the metal element 5 facing the furnace chamber 3. Each of the four guide rails 7 comprises, as can be clearly seen in FIG. 7, in each case two spaced-apart and parallel steel profiles 7.1, 7.2, which extend vertically along the side 6 of the metal element 5 facing the furnace chamber 3. The steel profiles 7.1, 7.2 of each guide rail 7 each have an L-shaped cross-section, the steel profiles 7.1, 7.2 each extending with a section away from the metal element 5 and each extending with their end distal from the metal element 5 towards one another, so that the steel profiles 7.1, 7.2 each form a guide rail 7 in the form of an undercut groove. In the exemplary embodiment of the cooling element 4 according to FIGS. 2 to 6, the steel profiles 7.1, 7.2 of each guide rail are each screwed to the metal element 5 by two screws 8.

[0084] The guide rails 7 are part of a rail guide by means of which metal rails 9 of the cooling element 4 are vertically guidable attached to the metal element 5.

[0085] The metal rails 9 are made of steel. Each of the metal rails 9 runs essentially straight, i.e. in each case along a linear longitudinal axis of the respective metal rail 9. As shown in more detail in FIG. 10, each metal rail 9 has a first, rod-shaped section 9.1 with a (perpendicular to the linear longitudinal axis) round cross-section (diameter 30 mm). Adjacent to this first section 9.1 is a second, plate-shaped section 9.2. Two spaced webs 9.3 project from this second section 9.2, to each of which a plate-shaped element 9.4 is welded at the end. The webs 9.3 and panel-shaped elements 9.4 are dimensioned in such a way that one panel-shaped element 9.4 in each case can be inserted into the groove formed in each case by a guide rail 7 and can be moved vertically in the latter. Each metal rail 9 is inserted with each of its two panel-shaped elements 9.4 in one of the grooves formed by the guide rails 7, so that the metal rails 9 are thereby fastened to the metal element 5 and at the same time can be guided vertically on the latter. To this extent, the metal rails 9 together with the guide rails 7 form guide means in the form of a rail guide, by means of which the metal rails 9 are fastened to the metal element 5 and can be guided vertically thereon at the same time.

[0086] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 2 to 6, the cooling element 4 has a total of eight metal rails 9, wherein in each case four metal rails 9, which are arranged parallel to one another and at a distance above one another, are arranged next to one another on in each case two guide rails 7.

[0087] For the sake of better illustration, only three metal rails 9 of the right four metal rails 9 are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and moreover some refractory bricks 11 of the masonry 10 are not shown. Furthermore, for the sake of better illustration, only the right section of the metal element 5 with the two guide rails 7 attached thereto is shown in FIGS. 7 to 9.

[0088] The metal rails 9 each run horizontally and at a constant distance from the metal element 5.

[0089] At a distance from the side 6 of the metal element 5 facing the furnace chamber 3, a masonry 10 is arranged opposite this side 6 of the metal element 5. The masonry 10 comprises substantially cuboidal refractory bricks 11 arranged in five layers 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5 one above the other to form the masonry 10. The upper and lower sides of the refractory bricks 11 of each layer 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5 each lie in a common plane, with adjacent layers 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5—along the horizontal longitudinal extent of the layers 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5—each being formed offset from one another by half a length of the refractory bricks 11.

[0090] The masonry 10 has a side 12 facing the furnace chamber 3 and an opposite side 13 facing the metal element 5. The sides 12, 13 of the masonry 10 each lie in one plane. The side 12 facing the furnace chamber 3 is in contact with the molten metal in the furnace chamber 3 during operation of the furnace 1.

[0091] The depth of the refractory bricks 11, i.e. their extension from the side 12 facing the furnace chamber 3 to the side 13 of the masonry 10 facing the metal element 5, is 350 mm.

[0092] The side 13 of the masonry 10 facing the metal element 5 runs at a distance from the side 6 of the metal element 5 facing the furnace chamber 3, so that a gap 14 is formed between the masonry 10 and the metal element 5.

[0093] The refractory bricks 11 of the lowest layer 11.1 of the masonry 10 each have a groove 15 on their upper side. The refractory bricks 11 of the uppermost layer 11.5 of the masonry 10 each have a groove 16 on their bottom side. The refractory bricks 11 of the courses 11.2, 11.3, 11.4 of the masonry 10 arranged between these courses 11.1, 11.5 each have grooves 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 on their upper side as well as on their bottom side. The grooves 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 are aligned in such a way that the grooves 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 formed on an upper side and a bottom side, respectively, are aligned with each other.

[0094] The refractory bricks 11 are in the form of magnesia-chromite bricks, that is, sintered ceramic bricks based on the raw materials magnesia and chromite ore.

[0095] The masonry 10 is constructed without mortar and without joints. In this respect, the facing surfaces of adjacent refractory bricks 11 each lie directly against each other.

[0096] The metal rails 9 run through the mutually aligned grooves 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 of the refractory bricks 11 of the masonry 10. In this case, the grooves 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 on mutually abutting lower and upper surfaces of the refractory bricks 11 each form a common contour which is adapted to the contour of the metal rail 9 running through the respective groove 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22. In the embodiment example, the grooves 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 each have a contour with a cross-sectional area (i.e. perpendicular to the longitudinal axis) in the form of a semicircle. To this extent, in the exemplary embodiment, the grooves 16 and 17, the grooves 18 and 19, the grooves 20 and 21, and the grooves 22 and 15 each form a common contour which is adapted to the respective metal rail 9. In particular, this common contour also comprises a substantially bar-shaped contour corresponding to the bar-shaped section 9.1. In this respect, the linear longitudinal axis of this common contour extends in each case at a distance of 50 mm from the side of the masonry 10 or of the refractory bricks 11 facing the metal element 5 (so that the grooves 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 extend in each case at a distance of 35 to 65 mm from the side of the masonry 10 or of the refractory bricks 11 facing the metal element 5, due to the radius of the circular cross section of this common contour of 15 mm).

[0097] The metal rails 9 each lie with their section 9.1 in the grooves 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and project with their section 9.2 beyond the masonry 10 in the direction toward the metal element 5. The section 9.2 projects beyond the masonry 10 over a length of 15 mm.

[0098] In this respect, the metal rails 9 fulfill several functions at the same time. Firstly, the refractory bricks 11 of the masonry 10 are fixed to the metal element 5 by the metal rails 9, whereby the refractory bricks 11 can be moved horizontally and vertically at the same time, as explained further below. Furthermore, the metal rails 9 allow heat to be dissipated from the refractory bricks 11 to the metal element 5.

[0099] The refractory bricks 11 are displaceable along the metal rails 9, so that to this extent a horizontal displaceability of the refractory bricks in the masonry 10 is given. Furthermore, the refractory bricks 11 are vertically movable along the metal rails fixed vertically to the metal element 5 by means of the guide rails 7.

[0100] A sealant means in the form of a plastic sealant (not shown) can be introduced into the gap 14 remaining between the masonry 10 and the metal element 5, thereby improving the thermal conductivity between the masonry 10 and the metal element 5.

[0101] To construct the cooling element 4, the lower layer 11.1 of the refractory bricks 11 is first arranged at a distance from the metal element 5 and then two metal rails 9 are each inserted from above into the guide rails 7 and guided downwards in each of these until their respective rod-shaped section 9.1 lies in the grooves 15 of the lowest layer 11.1 of the refractory bricks 11. Subsequently, the second layer 11.2 of the refractory bricks 11 is arranged on this first layer 11.1 in such a way that they enclose the metal rails 9 with their grooves 22 arranged on the underside. Subsequently, the further metal rails 9 and the further layers 11.3, 11.4, 11.5 are arranged accordingly until the masonry 10 is completely erected.

[0102] Finally, the gap 14 can be filled with the sealing compound.

[0103] The masonry 10 can always form a jointless masonry 10 even in the case of a thermal expansion of the refractory bricks 11 resulting from a temperature change of the refractory bricks 11, since the refractory bricks 11 can move both horizontally along the metal rails 9 and vertically along the guide rails 7 in the case of a thermal expansion due to temperature. At the same time, the refractory bricks 11 are always securely fixed to the metal element 5 by the metal rails 9.

[0104] In the alternative embodiment of a metal rail 9a shown in FIG. 11, the panel-shaped elements 9.4a which can be inserted in the groove of the guide rail 7 are welded to webs 9.3a which are arranged in edge recesses 23 of the second section 9.2a.

[0105] FIGS. 12 to 14 show an alternative embodiment of a metal element 5a which differs from the metal element 5 according to FIGS. 2 to 9 in that the guide rails 7a are welded to the side 6a of the metal element 5a facing the furnace chamber. The steel sections of the guide rails are designated 7.1a and 7.2a.

[0106] The further alternative embodiment of a metal element 5b shown in FIGS. 15 to 16 differs from the metal element 5 according to FIGS. 2 to 9 in that the steel profiles 7.1, 7.2 of the guide rails 7b each extend away from one another with their end distal from the metal element 5b, so that the steel profiles 7.1, 7.2 each form a guide rail 7 with a T-shape. The further alternative embodiment of a metal rail 9b according to FIG. 17 can be vertically guidable fastened to this by inserting this metal rail 9b with its undercut recess 24 formed in the second section 9.2b into the guide rail 7b.