Top-blown rotary converter (TBRC)
Top-blown rotary converter
- 0.5 m O.D. tiltable rotating furnace (1500°C max)
- 120 kW oxygen-propane burner
- Control system
The TBRC is a tilting, rotary furnace equipped with an oxygen-propane lance
It has the following benefits:
- The rotation of the vessel improves heat transfer, and accelerates the reactions involved in refining and smelting processes.
- Oxygen-propane combustion produces an intense, stable and compact flame with very efficient heat transfer capabilities and low exhaust volume flow.
- Oxygen and fuel ratios can be controlled over a wide range to produce reducing, neutral or oxidizing conditions.
- The precision tilting facility promotes good slag-metal separation and easy charging.
- The absence of submerged lances and tuyeres increases shell life and simplifies operating procedures.
Because of its versatility, the TBRC has a wide range of applications
- Matte blowing.
- Pre-melting.
- Reductive and/or flux smelting of metal ores.
- Oxidative and/or flux smelting for removal of base metals (lead, copper, zinc, etc.).
- Detoxification of flue dust, e.g. removal of arsenic.
- Dehalogenation of electric arc furnace dust (removal of chlorine and fluorine).
- Processing of anode slimes from electrolytic refining.
- Fuming reactions for antimony, bismuth, etc.
The TBRC can be divided into the following sub-systems
Vessel, frame, hydraulic cylinders and variable speed geared motor
The vessel consists of a mild-steel flanged cylinder with a length of 585 mm and a diameter of 600 mm. A mild-steel cone tapering from 600 mm to 430 mm is bolted onto the top flange. A mild-steel base-plate with a diameter of 600 mm is bolted to the base flange of the vessel.
The drive shaft is bolted to the base-plate, and located by a plumber block bolted to the furnace support frame at an angle of 30° to the horizontal. This frame is supported by the upright cradle arms.
The vessel is lined with 500 kg of chrome-magnesite castable. The wall thickness of the refractory at the base of the vessel is 150 mm, and at the sides, 138 mm.
A 25-teeth sprocket is bolted to the drive shaft, and a 25,4 mm pitch single chain connects it to a 17-teeth sprocket, which forms part of the variable speed geared motor. The motor has an output of 0.37 kW, and can rotate the vessel at a minimum of 2 r/min and at a maximum of 11 rmin.
The vessel is tilted by two hydraulic pistons fastened to the vessel's frame at one end and the mainframe at the other. When the hydraulics are activated, the arms lift the frame upwards allowing the vessel's contents to pour into a ladle.
Lance
The lance has a power rating of 120 kW maximum and turn down to 20 kW. It is 1.2 m long, and consists of four concentric stainless-steel pipes with diameters of 10, 20, 30 and 50 mm.
The 10 mm pipe carries the propane while the annulus surrounding it, formed by the 20 mm pipe, carries the oxygen. Because the oxygen flows through an open annulus, only low line pressure is required. The 20, 30 and 50 mm diameter pipes form the jacket, with the inlet water flowing through the 30 mm inner pipe and out through the 50 mm pipe.
Running the TBRC
Contact Information
Pyrometallurgy Division, Mintek,
200 Hans Strijdom Drive, Randburg, 2125, South Africa
Private Bag X3015, Randburg, 2125, South Africa.
Phone: +27 (11) 709-4642
Fax: +27 (11) 793-6241
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Copyright © 1996-97 George la Grange, Mintek, rtj@pyro.mintek.ac.za
7 October 1997