Patent ID: 6157665
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: C21C,F27B,F27D,Y02P

Abstract:
A method for loading scrap into an electric arc furnace having a lower shell and an upper roof movable between a first closed position and a second open position, wherein the roof has a hole for exhausting fumes produced in the furnace, wherein the scrap is contained in a basket equipped with lower discharging means to discharge the scrap from the bottom and with an upper covering system, wherein the basket is movable between a first pre-heating position adjacent to said furnace to pre-heat the scrap and a second position above said furnace to unload the scrap into the furnace, wherein first moving means are provided for selectively moving the roof of the furnace between said first closed position to said second open position and vice-versa, wherein said moving means are provided for moving the basket between said first preheating position to said second position and vice-versa, and wherein a connecting tube connects the hole of the roof with the basket, the method being characterized in that said first moving means and said second moving means are translated together along common linear guide means in such a manner that the linear translation of the roof of the furnace is correlated to the linear translation of the basket containing the scrap, whereby said basket gradually covers the lower shell of the furnace whilst the roof of the furnace gradually moves from its first closed position to its second open position, in that said upper covering system of said basket is movable between a closed position associated to the mouth of the basket and an open position for loading the scrap into the basket or for replacing an empty basket with a fill basket arriving from a scrap-loading zone, in that said connecting tube connects said hole to said upper covering system when the upper covering system is in its closed position, in that said connecting tube maintains said roof connected to said upper covering system of the basket during the movement of said first and second moving means, and in that the fumes leave the basket through an outlet aperture disposed in the bottom of the basket and directly connected with a combustion chamber.