Patent US3871633A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3871633A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for controlling the injection of flux into a steelmaking vessel as a function of pressure differential
Assignee: United States Steel Corp
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Filing: 1973-04-25
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Granted: 1975-03-18
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Expires: 1993-04-25
Abstract
Abstract This invention is directed to a method and apparatus for controlling the injection of flux into a steelmaking vessel as a function of the differential pressure between the flux containing tank and the main conduit which supplies oxygen to the tuyeres of the steelmaking vessel in the Q-BOP process. A branch conduit diverts a portion of the oxygen stream from the main conduit and flux from a pressurized flux-containing tank is injected into this secondary stream which secondary stream is then recombined with the main stream. The apparatus measures the pressure differential between the main conduit and the flux tank and also compares the actual flux injection rate with a preset reference rate; a voltage signal representing the measured pressure differential and one representing the comparison between the actual and reference rates are compared with each other to provide a signal for controlling oxygen supplied to and vented from the pressure tank to vary the differential pressure between the primary conduit and the tank and thereby control the rate of flux injection into the secondary conduit as a function of this pressure differential. The apparatus also measures the amount of flux injected into the secondary conduit and shuts off the supply when the measured amount equals a preset desired amount.
Inventors
- 👤 William A Kolb
- 👤 Michael J Papinchak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:35
CPC Classifications
C; C21; C21C; C21C5/00; C21C5/52; C21C5/5211; C21C5/5217; C21C5/28; C21C5/30; C21C5/35; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
In combination with a steelmaking apparatus having a steelmaking vessel, a source of fluid, and a primary fluid flow conduit coupled to said vessel for supplying fluid from said source to said vessel, the invention comprising: means for injecting flux into said vessel through said primary conduit, which includes, a. a secondary fluid flow conduit having its output coupled to said primary conduit in an additive manner; b. a flux-containing tank having its output coupled to said secondary conduit for supplying flux to said secondary conduit; c. pressurizing means for pressurizing said tank in a controlled manner; d. differential pressure measuring means for measuring the pressure difference between said primary conduit and said tank; and e. control means coupled between said pressure measuring means and said pressurizing means for controlling the pressurizing of said tank to thereby control the rate at which flux is supplied to said secondary conduit from said tank as a function of the pressure differential between the pressure in said primary fluid flow conduit and the pressure in said tank.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
In combination with a steelmaking apparatus having a steelmaking vessel, a source of fluid, and a primary fluid flow conduit coupled to said vessel for supplying fluid from said source to said vessel, the invention comprising: means for injecting flux into said vessel through said primary conduit, which includes, a. a secondary fluid flow conduit having its output coupled to said primary conduit in an additive manner; b. a flux-containing tank having its output coupled to said secondary conduit for supplying flux to said secondary conduit; c. pressurizing means for pressurizing said tank in a controlled manner; d. differential pressure measuring means for measuring the pressure difference between said primary conduit and said tank; and e. control means coupled between said pressure measuring means and said pressurizing means for controlling the pressurizing of said tank to thereby control the rate at which flux is supplied to said secondary conduit from said tank as a function of the pressure differential between the pressure in said primary fluid flow conduit and the pressure in said tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
167 words
The apparatus for injecting flux according to claim 1, wherein: a. said pressurizing means includes a pressurizing conduit coupled to said tank for supplying a pressurizing fluid to said tank, a vent conduit coupled to said tank for venting fluid out of said tank, first control valve means interposed in said pressurizing conduit and second control valve means interposed in said vent conduit; b. said control means comprises first comparing means for comparing the actual rate at which flux is supplied to said secondary conduit from said tank with a preset desired rate and second comparing means for comparing the output of said first comparing means and the output of said differential pressure measuring means; and c. said apparatus further having coupling means coupling the output of said second comparing means to said first and second control valve means for controlling the amount of pressurizing fluid supplied to said tank and the fluid vented out of said tank to thereby control the fluid pressure in said tank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
100 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further having: a. weight measuring means for measuring the weight of flux in said tank; b. difference signal generating means coupled to said weight measuring means for generating a difference signal representing the difference between an initial flux weight in said tank and the changing flux weight in said tank as flux is supplied to said secondary conduit; c. comparing means for comparing said difference signal with a predetermined reference signal; and d. means for stopping said flux supply when the difference between said difference signal and said reference signal reaches a predetermined valUe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said control means has: a. weight measuring means for continually measuring the weight of flux in said tank and generating a signal representative thereof; b. rate means for generating a reference signal representing a desired rate at which flux is supplied to said secondary conduit; and c. comparing means for comparing the signal from said weight measuring means with the signal from said rate means, the output of said comparing means being coupled to said pressurizing means for controlling the pressure in said tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
188 words
Apparatus for controlling the injection of flux into a steel-refining converter of the type having at least one tuyere at the bottom thereof through which fluid under pressure is supplied to said converter, and having: a. fluid flow conduit means coupled between said at least one tuyere and a source of fluid; b. a flux-containing tank having its output coupled to said conduit means; c. pressurizing means for supplying pressurizing fluid to said tank to pressurize said tank to a predetermined pressure; d. means interposed between said tank and said conduit means for opening said tank to said conduit means to supply flux from said tank to the flow of fluid in said conduit means; e. rate measuring means for measuring the rate at which flux is supplied to said conduit means from said tank; and f. means coupled to said measuring means and said pressurizing means for controlling the supply of pressurizing fluid to said tank to thereby control the rate at which flux is supplied to said conduit means from said tank as a function of the pressure differential between said conduit means and said tank.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
188 words
Apparatus for controlling the injection of flux into a steel-refining converter of the type having at least one tuyere at the bottom thereof through which fluid under pressure is supplied to said converter, and having: a. fluid flow conduit means coupled between said at least one tuyere and a source of fluid; b. a flux-containing tank having its output coupled to said conduit means; c. pressurizing means for supplying pressurizing fluid to said tank to pressurize said tank to a predetermined pressure; d. means interposed between said tank and said conduit means for opening said tank to said conduit means to supply flux from said tank to the flow of fluid in said conduit means; e. rate measuring means for measuring the rate at which flux is supplied to said conduit means from said tank; and f. means coupled to said measuring means and said pressurizing means for controlling the supply of pressurizing fluid to said tank to thereby control the rate at which flux is supplied to said conduit means from said tank as a function of the pressure differential between said conduit means and said tank.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The control apparatus as defined in claim 5, further having: a. measuring means for measuring the amount of flux supplied to said conduit means; and b. means for shutting off the flow of flux from said tank to said conduit means when the amount measured by said measuring means reaches a predetermined value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
160 words
The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said conduit means has a primary conduit coupled between said source and said at least one tuyere and a secondary conduit having its input and output coupled to said primary conduit at upstream and downstream portions of the fluid flow, respectively; said apparatus further having: a. first valve means interposed in said secondary conduit for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough; b. second valve means interposed between said flux-containing tank and said secondary conduit to control the supply of flux to the fluid flow in said secondary conduit from said tank; c. third valve means coupled to said pressurizing means for controlling the supply of pressurizing fluid to said tank; and d. valve control means for opening said first and third valve means before said second valve means to pressurize said tank and establish a flow of fluid in said secondary conduit prior to supplying flux from said tank to said secondary conduit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said valve control means has a time delay relay means for opening said first and third valve means a predetermined time interval before opening said second valve means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
81 words
The apparatus according to claim 7, further having means for measuring the pressure differential between the pressure in said tank and the pressure in said primary conduit; and pressure control means coupled to said pressure differential measuring means for controlling the pressurization of said tank as a function of the measured pressure differential, said pressure control means comprising control valve means interposed in said pressurizing fluid supply means for controlling the rate of flow of fluid therethrough and into said tank.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus according to claim 9, further having means for controlling the rate of fluid flow through said secondary conduit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
172 words
In combination a steelmaking apparatus having a steelmaking vessel, a source of fluid, and a primary fluid flow conduit coupled to said vessel for supplying fluid from said source to said vessel, and a system for injecting flux into said vessel through said primary conduit and having: a. a secondary fluid flow conduit having its output coupled to said primary conduit in an additive manner; b. a flux-containing tank having its output coupled to said secondary conduit for supplying flux to said secondary conduit; c. pressurizing means for pressurizing said tank in a controlled manner; d. differential pressure measuring means for measuring the pressure difference between said primary conduit and said tank; and e. control means couple between said pressure measuring means and said pressurizing means for controlling the pressurizing of said tank to thereby control the rate at which flux is supplied to said secondary conduit from said tank as a function of the pressure differential between the pressure in said primary fluid flow conduit and the pressure in said tank.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
172 words
In combination a steelmaking apparatus having a steelmaking vessel, a source of fluid, and a primary fluid flow conduit coupled to said vessel for supplying fluid from said source to said vessel, and a system for injecting flux into said vessel through said primary conduit and having: a. a secondary fluid flow conduit having its output coupled to said primary conduit in an additive manner; b. a flux-containing tank having its output coupled to said secondary conduit for supplying flux to said secondary conduit; c. pressurizing means for pressurizing said tank in a controlled manner; d. differential pressure measuring means for measuring the pressure difference between said primary conduit and said tank; and e. control means couple between said pressure measuring means and said pressurizing means for controlling the pressurizing of said tank to thereby control the rate at which flux is supplied to said secondary conduit from said tank as a function of the pressure differential between the pressure in said primary fluid flow conduit and the pressure in said tank.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
163 words
The combination of claim 11 wherein: a. said pressurizing means includes a pressurizing conduit coupled to said tank for supply a pressurizing fluid to said tank, a vent conduit coupled to said tank for venting fluid out of said tank, first control valve means interposed in said pressurizing conduit and second control valve means interposed in said vent conduit; b. said control means comprises first comparing means for comparing the actual rate at which flux is supplied to said secondary conduit from said tank with a preset desired rate and second comparing means for comparing the output of said first comparing means and the output of said differential pressure measuring means; and c. said apparatus further having coupling means coupling the output of said second comparing means to said first and second control valve means for controlling the amount of pressurizing fluid supplied to said tank and the fluid vented out of said tank to thereby control the fluid pressure in said tank.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
100 words
The combination defined in claim 11, further having: a. weight measuring means for measuring the weight of flux in said tank; b. difference signal generating means coupled to said weight measuring means for generating a difference signal representing the difference between an initial flux weight in said tank and the changing flux weight in said tank as flux is supplied to said secondary conduit; c. comparing means for comparing said difference signal with a predetermined reference signal; and d. means for stopping said flux supply when the difference between said difference signal and said reference signal reaches a predetermined value.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
91 words
The combination defined in claim 13, wherein said control means has: a. weight measuring means for continually measuring the weight of flux in said tank and generating a signal representative thereof: b. rate means for generating a reference signal representing a desired rate at which flux is supplied to said secondary conduit; and c. comparing means for comparing the signal from said weight measuring means with the signal from said rate means, the output of said comparing means being coupled to said pressurizing means for controlling the pressure in said tank.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
194 words
In combination a steel-refining converter of the type having at least one tuyere at the bottom thereof through which fluid under pressure is supplied to said converter, and apparatus for controlling the injection of flux into said steel-refining converter and having: a. fluid flow conduit means coupled between said at least one tuyere and a source of fluid; b. a flux-containing tank having its output coupled to said conduit means; c. pressurizing means for supplying pressurizing fluid to said tank to pressurize said tank to a predetermined pressure; d. means interposed between said tank and said conduit means for opening said tank to said conduit means to supply flux from said tank to the flow of Fluid in said conduit means; e. rate measuring means for measuring the rate at which flux is supplied to said conduit means from said tank; and f. means coupled to said measuring means and said pressurizing means for controlling the supply of pressurizing fluid to said tank to thereby control the rate at which flux is supplied to said conduit means from said tank as a function of the pressure differential between said conduit means and said tank.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
194 words
In combination a steel-refining converter of the type having at least one tuyere at the bottom thereof through which fluid under pressure is supplied to said converter, and apparatus for controlling the injection of flux into said steel-refining converter and having: a. fluid flow conduit means coupled between said at least one tuyere and a source of fluid; b. a flux-containing tank having its output coupled to said conduit means; c. pressurizing means for supplying pressurizing fluid to said tank to pressurize said tank to a predetermined pressure; d. means interposed between said tank and said conduit means for opening said tank to said conduit means to supply flux from said tank to the flow of Fluid in said conduit means; e. rate measuring means for measuring the rate at which flux is supplied to said conduit means from said tank; and f. means coupled to said measuring means and said pressurizing means for controlling the supply of pressurizing fluid to said tank to thereby control the rate at which flux is supplied to said conduit means from said tank as a function of the pressure differential between said conduit means and said tank.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination of claim 15, further having: a. measuring means for measuring the amount of flux supplied to said conduit means; and b. means for shutting off the flow of flux from said tank to said conduit means when the amount measured by said measuring means reaches a predetermined value.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
159 words
The combination of claim 15, wherein said conduit means has a primary conduit coupled between said source and said at least one tuyere and a secondary conduit having its input and output coupled to said primary conduit at upstream and downstream portions of the fluid flow, respectively; said apparatus further having: a. first valve means interposed in said secondary conduit for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough; b. second valve means interposed between said fluxcontaining tank and said secondary conduit to control the supply of flux to the fluid flow in said secondary conduit from said tank; c. third valve means coupled to said pressurizing means for controlling the supply of pressurizing fluid to said tank; and d. valve control means for opening said first and third valve means before said second valve means to pressurize said tank and establish a flow of fluid in said secondary conduit prior to supplying flux from said tank to said secondary conduit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 17 wherein said valve control means has a time delay relay means for opening said first and third valve means a predetermined time interval before opening said second valve means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
80 words
The combination of claim 17, further having means for measuring the pressure differential between the pressure in said tank and the pressure in said primary conduit, and pressure control means coupled to said pressure differential measuring means for controlling the pressurization of said tank as a function of the measured pressure differential, said pressure control means comprising control valve means interposed in said pressurizing fluid supply means for controlling the rate of flow of fluid therethrough and into said tank.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 19, further having means for controlling the rate of fluid flow through said secondary conduit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination recited in claim 18 wherein said converter is a Q-BOP converter.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination recited in claim 18 wherein said converter is an open hearth converter.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination recited in claim 18 wherein said converter is an electric furnace.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination recited in claim 18 wherein said converter is a tiltable open hearth furnace.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination recited in claim 18 wherein said converter is a hot metal mixer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1 and having: a. second apparatus for injecting flux into said vessel; and b. means associated with said apparatus and said second apparatus for energizing said second apparatus when said apparatus has finished its cycle.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus recited in claim 5 and having: a. a second apparatus for injecting flux into said vessel; and b. means associated with said apparatus and said second apparatus for energizing said second apparatus when said apparatus has finished its cycle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3159432A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-09-16 | 1979-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-17 | 1982-09-16 | 1983-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-17 | 1986-09-16 | 1987-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |