SUPPRESSION OF FUME IN METAL POURING

Abstract: Molten (M) is poured into a receiver (8, 28) designed to reduce fume and then out into an open area (P) via an outlet (9, 29) designed to cause the metal (M) to flow in a laminar flow. A hood (11) may be present above the receiver (8, 28).

Description: SUPPRESSION OF FUME IN METAL POURING The invention relates to the suppression of fume arising durin pouring metal from a container in air or like atmosphere, fo example, to the suppression of fume arising when pouring liqui iron from a torpedo or like container into a pond or lagoon at steelworks. Liquid iron is transported in torpedoes on railways or roadway at a steelworks from one work station to another, e.g. from a iron making furnace to a steel making furnace. From time to ti there are hold-ups and it is not economic to keep the meta liquid in the container until it can be accepted at the receivi station. It is usual to move the torpedo to an open area call a pond and to pour the liquid metal from the torpedo into t pond where it solidifies; the solid metal is later broken u recovered and remelted when required or sold to third partie When the metal is poured into the pond it will oxidise exposure to the air and this creates vast quantities of fum mainly iron oxide, which is environmentally unacceptable. It one object of the invention to provide a method and apparat useful in the pouring of molten metal so that this problem reduced or eliminated. We have analysed the causes of the evolution of the fume and have established that the main factor is the splashing which takes place when the liquid metal is poured. We have discovered that if the molten metal is poured into a receiver as indicated herein such fume as is evolved may be removed via a hood extraction system or where the suppression is sufficiently good a hood system can be dispensed with. According to the invention in one aspect there is provided a method of pouring liquid metal from a container, the method comprising (i) pouring the metal from the container into a receiver therefor, the receiver being shaped so as to maintain a height of liquid metal therein thereby to reduce the evolution of fume, and (ii) passing the liquid metal from an outlet of the receiver in a substantially laminar flow to an open area at which the liquid metal is allowed to solidify. It is a much preferred feature of the invention that the outlet is present in a sidewall of the receiver and is disposed sufficiently high above the floor of the receiver that a bath of liquid metal is present whereby further liquid poured into the receiver will enter the bath of liquid metal which will reduce the risk of splashing which is a major cause of the evolution of fume. Preferably the outlet is about 250 mm. to about 350 mm. above the floor to create a height of liquid metal in the receiver. If the outlet is higher, then there will be much splash when the liquid metal is first poured and much fume will be generated when one remelts residual solidified metal lef after one pouring and the next pouring starts. If the outlet i lower there will be excess erosion of the floor of the box. Th ( « dimensions may vary dependent on the nature of the liquid meta being poured. Preferably a channel or launder extends from th outlet to the open area. It is preferred that the receiver which is typically a box-like structure, and the channel ar formed of cast refractory material. Optionally, the method includes the step of surrounding th receiver area with an inert gas which suppresses combustion, an the launder may be enclosed by an overlying cover. Typically the liquid metal is iron and the fume arising include particles of iron oxide; the container is a torpedo and the ope area is a pond or lagoon at a steelworks. In another aspect the invention includes a pour statio comprising a box shaped structure having a floor and side walls the structure being cast of refractory material, an outlet por being present in one side wall, the port being sufficiently hig up the side wall that a bath of liquid metal is present in th box whereby molten metal poured into the box enters the liqui metal so reducing the generation of fume, and then caused to fl out of the box through the port in a laminar flow. Preferab the station includes a channel in line with the port, leading t the area. In one specific aspect the invention provides a method of pourin liquid metal from a container into a receiver and thence to a open area, the method comprising (i) pouring the metal from th container into a receiver above which is a hood, the hood bein the inlet end of a fume extraction system, the fume arising fro the pouring being extracted via the hood, and (ii) passing th liquid metal from the receiver in a substantially laminar flow t the open area at which the liquid metal is allowed to solidify. Most preferably the hood is spaced from the receiver by a distance selected to draw a draught of air into the receiver and hence into the extraction and gas cleaning system, which may include a baghouse filter system having an air extraction fan or a scrubber. Most preferably the hood is connectable to one of a number of spaced apart ports of an elongate duct system leading to the baghouse, and alongside the pond. It is preferred to so design the receiver that the fume suppression is efficient so that the hood and associated dust extraction system are eliminated to avoid a large capital investment. In one other aspect the invention includes apparatus for use in controlling the release of fume when pouring liquid metal from a container, the apparatus comprising a mobile hood connectable to a fume extraction system the hood having four side walls definin an open mouth, the roof of the hood being connected to ductin connectable to a baghouse having a filter system, side portion of the hood being shaped to form a seal with walls of th container. In another aspect the invention includes a fume extraction syste comprising a baghouse having a filter system and a fan, th baghouse being connected to an elongate duct havin longitudinally spaced apart ports which can be closed o connected in a gas tight manner to the outlet of a fum extraction conduit, the remote end of which comprises a hood. In yet another aspect the invention includes a pour statio comprising a box shaped structure having a floor and side walls the structure being cast of refractory material, a port bein present in one side wall, whereby molten metal poured into th box is agitated therein and then caused to flow out of the bo through the port in a laminar flow. Preferably the statio includes a channel in line with the port. In order that the invention may be well understood it will now b described by way of example only ith reference to th accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partial plan view of a steelworks pond are including one apparatus of the invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of the apparatus of Figur 1? Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line III- III on Figure 2; Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on lines IV-I on Figure 2; Figure 5 is a partial plan view of a steelworks pond area including a second apparatus of the invention; and Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of the box shown in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 1 to 4, a rail track 1 leads to a large pond or lagoon area P having sloping walls 2 and a generally flat base 3. The area of the pond P will vary, but is usually sufficient to hold 10,000 to 20,000 Te of liquid iron as a layer. A duct system 4 extends generally parallel to the rail track 1 and ends at a baghouse 5 containing a filter system and an extraction fan, not shown. Tap off ports 6 are present at spaced apart locations along the length of the duct 4 and pour stations 7 are present in alignment with the tap off ports 6 on the duct 4. Each pour station 7 is set in the side wall 2 of the pond P. The station 7 comprises a box like portion 8 which, as shown in Figure 3, has in the wall adjacent the pond base 3 a generally horizontal slit 9 defining a port or weir W which leads to a downwardly sloping channel 10. The box and the channel are formed of cast sintered refractory material. A mobile hood 11 is located over a selected pour station 7. The hood comprises a generally rectangular chamber defined by a sloping front wall 12, two sloping side walls 13 and a generally vertical rear wall 14. The upper end of the hood 11 communicates with a duct 15 which leads in arch fashion down to a connection piece 16 shaped to connect with a selected port 6. The duct 15 is held in frame work 17 which supports the hood system 11 and runs on a track generally parallel to the rail track 1, powered by a motor 18 and controlled from a panel 19. The hood has side flaps 20 which are shaped so that in use they lie alongside the mouth of the torpedo T. As shown in Figure 3, the hood may have side flaps 21. In use when it is necessary to store molten metal, e.g. liquid iron in the pond P, a locomotive brings the torpedo T to a selected pour station 7. The hood 11 is moved to the station and the connection piece 16 is connected to the respective port 6 of the duct system 4, and the fan thereof switched on to cause air to be drawn from the hood 11 towards the baghouse 5, the size of the draught, i.e. the air flow rate, being determined by t vertical distance between the lower edge of the hood 11 and t box 8. An air flow of about 2 to 20 metres/sec, preferably abo 5 metres/sees is desirable to ensure capture of the fume, smok dust and gas and pass it to the baghouse 5. The torpedo T is rotated on its frame to pour the liquid ir into the box 8 at the pour station 7. The metal hits the flo of the box 8 and is agitated, mixing with the oxygen in the ai to form fume which rises into the hood 11 and is immediatel removed to the duct 4 and thence to the baghouse 5 where it i filtered in known manner. The molten metal flows out of the bo 8 via the weir W into the channel 10 by which time it has take up a laminar flow and as a result is little oxidised so tha little or no further fume is produced as the metal M flows on t the base 3 and solidifies to form a layer or crust. The pourin into the box 8 is intended to produce maximum turbulence and fum emission to optimise extraction within the hood 11. Th trajectory of liquid iron into the box 8 will vary, but it i preferred that the impact of the stream should be towards th wall having the slit 9. Residual metal will be left in the box will solidify but will re elt on the next pour. The side flap 20 provide a seal between the hood 11 and the sides of th torpedo T. The same reference numerals are used in describing the embodimen of Figures 5 and 6 as were used in describing the firs embodiment, where convenient. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, th rail track 1 leads to a large pond or lagoon area P havin sloping walls 2 and a generally flat base 3. Pour stations 2 are present spaced apart along one side of the pond P. Each pou station is set in the side wall 2 of the pond P. The station 2 comprises a box like structure 28 which, as shown in Figure 5 has in the wall adjacent the pond base 3 a generally horizonta slit 29 defining a port or weir W which leads to a downwardl sloping channel 30. The box and the channel are formed of cas sintered refractory material. The slit 29 is about 250mm t 350mm from the floor of the box 28, so that when molten metal i poured into the box a head of liquid is created. In use when it is necessary to store molten metal, e.g. liqui iron in the pond P, a locomotive brings the torpedo T to selected pour station 27. The torpedo T is rotated on its fram to pour the liquid iron into the box 28 at the pour station 27 The first metal hits the floor of the box 28 and forms a head o liquid into which following metal flows with little or n evolution of fume. The molten metal flows out of the box 28 vi the weir W into the channel 30 by which time it has taken up laminar flow and as a result is little oxidised so that little o no further fume is produced as the metal M flows on to the base and solidifies to form a layer or crust. Residual metal will b left in the box 27 will solidify but will re elt on the nex pour. From time to time the mouth of the torpedo is freed of adherent solidified metal, e.g. using a hydraulic hammer. The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown. The box need not be of rectangular cross sectional shape. The upper walls of the box may have a rim or ledge, and the walls may be inclined. Auxiliary gas pipework may be present in the hood or alongside the box to supply inert or combustible gas, e.g. CO2, methane, town gas. The channel 30 may have a roof. The extraction system may include a water bath or seal. The metal poured need not be liquid iron, and the vessel need not be a torpedo; the vessel need not move along a rail track. A cover may be present above the open area.

Claims: CLAI MS 1. A method of pouring liquid metal from a container (T), th method comprising (i) pouring the metal from the container (T) into a receiver (8,28) therefor, the receiver (8,28) being shaped so as to maintain a height of liquid metal therein thereby to reduce the evolution of fume and (ii) passing the liquid metal from an outlet (9,29) of the receiver (8,28) in a substantially laminar flow to an ope area (P) at which the liquid metal (M) is allowed t solidify. 2 . A method according to Claim 1, in which the receiver (8,28) comprises a box like structure one side wall of whic defines a port (9,29), the liquid metal being caused to flo through the port in a laminar flow. 3. A method according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the outle (9,29) is spaced from the floor of the box (8,28) by vertical distance which is sufficient to create a bath o molten liquid. 4. A method according to any preceding Claim, wherein a channe (17,27) e.g. a launder, extends from the port to the are (P) at which the liquid metal is allowed to solidify. 5. A method according to any preceding Claim, wherein th receiver (8,28) and the channel (10,30) are formed of cas refractory material. 6. A method according to any preceding Claim, including the step of surrounding the receiver with a gas which suppresses combustion. 7. A method according to Claim 6, wherein the channel (10,30) is provided with an overlying cover. 8. A method according to any preceding Claim, wherein the liquid metal is iron and the fume arising includes particles of iron oxide. 9. A method according to any preceding Claim, wherein the container (T) is a torpedo or like container and the area (P) is a pond or lagoon at a steelworks. 10. A pour station (7,27) comprising a box shaped structure (8,28) having a floor and side walls, the structure being cast of refractory material, an outlet port (9,29) being present in one side wall, the port (9,29) being sufficiently high up the side wall so that a bath of liquid metal is created in the box, whereby molten metal (M) poured into the box enters liquid metal forms a bath thereof and is then caused to flow out of the box through the port '9,291 in a laminar flow. 11. A pour station according to Claim 11, including a channel (10,30) in line with the port (9,29). 12. A ' method according to any preceding Claim, including locating a hood (ii) over the receiver, the hood (11) being connected to a fume extraction system (5). 13. Apparatus for use in controlling the release of fume when pouring liquid metal (M) from a container (T), the apparatus comprising a mobile hood (11) connectable to a fume extraction system, the hood having four side walls (12, 13,14) defining an open mouth, the roof of the hood being connected to a duct (15) connectable to a baghouse (5) having a filter system, side portions of the hood being shaped to form a seal with walls of the container (T). 14. A fume extraction system comprising a baghouse (5) having a filter system and a fan, the baghouse (5) being connected to an elongate duct (15) having longitudinally spaced apart ports (6) which can be closed or connected in a gas tight manner to the outlet of a fume extraction conduit, the remote end of which comprises a hood (11). 15. A system according to Claim 13, wherein the baghouse (5) is replaced by a scrubber .

Inventors: BUTLER GEOFFREY DOY HOPSON, PURNELL PETER LESLIE, BUTLER, GEOFFREY, DOY, HOPSON, PURNELL, PETER, LESLIE
Applicants: MULTISERV INT LTD, MULTISERV INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B22D41
IPC codes: B22D41, B22D43, B22D45, C21C1, C21C5, F27D3