Metallurgical Furnace

Abstract

A metallurgical furnace including a refractory, which may include an inner layer, including bricks of a first type having a heat dissipation thickness, and bricks of a second type having a greater sacrificial thickness and protruding towards the furnace space. The furnace may include a force exerting member for contracting a segmented outer shell around the refractory, inward, as the refractory contracts when cooling. The force exerting member may include a tension member. The furnace may include a vertical compression member for exerting a compressive force upon the refractory, vertically compressing the refractory as it contracts. The furnace may include a cooling system, including a sleeve surrounding a layer of heated air, and air displacement members for displacing away the heated air. The furnace may include a roof, having suspension members extending therethrough, supporting an inner mesh, the inner mesh supporting insulating material. The furnace may also include an electrode seal having a plurality of shoes biased against the electrode(s).

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to the field of metallurgy, in particular to a metallurgical furnace. Background technique [0002] In the prior art, several forms of metallurgical furnaces are known, consisting of a refractory layer, an outer steel shell surrounding the refractory layer, a furnace cover and a hearth. Metallurgical furnaces known in the prior art may have a rectangular, square or circular cross-section (viewed from directly above or directly below). Metallurgical furnaces known in the prior art generally have a metal structure, supported by a hearth and protected by a refractory layer, in which metal, slag or other substances are heated. Immediately above the heated metal and slag is an area called the "headroom", which is also surrounded laterally by refractory. Metallurgical electric furnaces generally use electricity to heat and melt the contents. It is particularly pointed out that the general circular metallurgical electric furnace uses ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0005] In some furnaces known from the prior art, the roof does not provide sufficient insulation

Furnace lids can be difficult to act as a barrier against toxic gas leaks

Leakage of toxic gases such as carbon monoxide poses a potential hazard to workers

[0006] In some furnaces known from the prior art, the furnace roof may be overheated due to the high temperature generated by the electrodes

Also, the high voltages circulating in the electrodes put workers working near the furnace roof at risk of electrocution

Images