Patent US1424537A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3884453A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3884453A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bottom blown steel converter and means for controlling injection of powdered material with process gasses therein
Assignee: Pennsylvania Engineering Corp
•
Filing: 1973-03-14
•
Granted: 1975-05-20
•
Expires: 1993-03-14
Abstract
Abstract In connection with the bottom blown oxygen method of making steel, gases and powdered materials such as fluxes and additives are injected into the hot metal of the converter through tuyeres in the bottom of the vessel. The powdered materials are stored in pressure vessels and selectively transported to the converter by entraining the materials in high pressure process gases such as oxygen. Means are provided for maintaining constant material flow rates independent of gas pressure and flow variations. A rotary metering valve assembly is adapted for preventing back-flow of materials when gases are injected without entrained materials or when a second material is injected through a common entrainment point.
Inventors
- 👤 Jai K Pearce
- 👤 Frithjof Eichinger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:48
CPC Classifications
C; C21; C21C; C21C5/00; C21C5/28; C21C5/42; C21C5/46; C21C5/4673; C21C5/30; C21C5/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
For use in a system which is adapted to convey finely divided materials from a pressurizable storage vessel through a material flow metering valve and then a nozzle chamber in which pressure is maintained relatively constant over a range of process gas flows and back pressures, and in which the material is entrained by gas from the nozzle and thence conveyed to tuyeres which allow injection of the gas and material beneath the surface of molten metal in a vessel for converting ferrous metal to steel, the improvement comprising: a. said material flow metering valve means has a rotary element with a flow-through opening therein, b. pliable valve seat means in sealing engagement with said rotary element and cooperating therewith, said valve seat means having a cavity means that responds to gas pressure therein by increasing the sealing pressure between said seat means and said rotary element, and c. a high pressure source, gas conducting means intercommunicating said cavity to said high pressure source means, the pressure of said source being in excess of pressure in said nozzle chamber means whereupon if the pressure in said nozzle chamber exceeds the pressure in said storage vessel said cavity will be pressurized to enhance said sealing engagement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
For use in a system which is adapted to convey finely divided materials from a pressurizable storage vessel through a material flow metering valve and then a nozzle chamber in which pressure is maintained relatively constant over a range of process gas flows and back pressures, and in which the material is entrained by gas from the nozzle and thence conveyed to tuyeres which allow injection of the gas and material beneath the surface of molten metal in a vessel for converting ferrous metal to steel, the improvement comprising: a. said material flow metering valve means has a rotary element with a flow-through opening therein, b. pliable valve seat means in sealing engagement with said rotary element and cooperating therewith, said valve seat means having a cavity means that responds to gas pressure therein by increasing the sealing pressure between said seat means and said rotary element, and c. a high pressure source, gas conducting means intercommunicating said cavity to said high pressure source means, the pressure of said source being in excess of pressure in said nozzle chamber means whereupon if the pressure in said nozzle chamber exceeds the pressure in said storage vessel said cavity will be pressurized to enhance said sealing engagement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention set forth in claim 1 including: a. means holding and supporting said pliable valve seat means in proximity with said rotary valve means, b) said holding means being removable to facilitate removal of said valve seat means therewith.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention set forth in claim 2 including: a. a plurality of pressurizable storage vessels and load cells on which said vessel react, respectively, and b. metering valve means interposed between each of said storage vessels and said nozzle chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention set forth in claim 3 wherein there are: a. individual conduit means directly connecting the said metering valve means to said single nozzle chamber, said conduit means being disposed at an angle of not less than 50* with respect to a horizontal plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
198 words
The invention set forth in claim 1 including: a. a first pressure chamber means and a gas permeable means associated therewith for fluidizing the finely divided material in the bottom region of said pressurizable vessel means b. a second pressure chamber means and a gas permeable means associated therewith for fluidizing the finely divided material near the inlet to said metering valve mean, c. high pressure gas feed pipe means, d. means including a shut-off valve and a check valve communicating said feed pipe means to both of said first and second pressure chamber means, e. differential-pressure reducing regulator means and check valve means serially connected between said feed pipe means and said nozzle means, f. means including another shut-off valve communicating a point intermediate said last named check valve means and said nozzle means with the top of said pressure vessel above the uppermost level of the finely divided material therein, and g. means for operating said metering valve means, said shut-off valves each being adapted to operate in response to operation of said metering valve means, whereby to selectively permit or prevent flow of gas through said nozzle chamber with or without entraining finely divided material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention set forth in claim 5 including: a. pressure relief means adapted to relieve pressure in said storage vessel when said metering valve means and said shut-off valves are closed, whereby to permit loading of said storage vessel with finely divided material without discontinuing gas feed through said nozzle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
89 words
The invention set forth in claim 1 including: a. load responsive means receiving a force from said storage vessel and producing signals functionally related to said force and regulation and control means for controlling the position of said material flow metering valve and thereby the rate of material flow to the process, using for control purposes signals from said load responsive means on said pressurizable storage vessel that are integrated with pre-set requirements of material flow set in a control console in terms of material weight per unit time.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
93 words
The invention set forth in claim 1 including: a. load responsive means receivIng force from said storage vessel and producing signals which are functionally related to said force and regulation and control means for controlling the position of said material flow metering valve and thereby the rate of material flow to the process, using for control purposes signals from said load responsive means on said pressurizable storage vessels that are integrated with pre-set requirements of material flow set in a control console in terms of material weight per unit volume of process gas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention set forth in claim 8 wherein: a. said regualtion and control means in which said pressure responsive means are integrated include signals indicative of pre-set requirements of material flow in terms of process gas volume per unit weight of material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
328 words
Apparatus for use with a metallurgical vessel wherein the apparatus delivers gas or finely divided material to an entrainment chamber subject to variations of process gas flow and back pressure, for entrainment in gas for injection into the vessel below the level of molten metal therein whereby said gas and materials may diffuse through molten metal in the converter vessel, said apparatus comprising: a. material storage reservoir means adapted to be pressurized, b. means for fluidizing finely divided material and means for discharging material from said vessel adjacent said fluidizing means, c. a finely divided material entrainment chamber means communicated with said discharging means and including a nozzle means for projecting gas therein, d. metering valve means interposed between said fluidizing means and said entrainment chamber means, said entrainment chamber means being constructed and arranged for communicating with said converter vessel, e. a gas feed line adapted to be connected with a source of high pressure gas, f. gas flow regulating means coupled to said gas feed line and to said fluidizing means and to said material entrainment chamber and being constructed and arranged to provide a higher gas pressure to said fluidizing means than to said entrainment chamber, g. said metering valve means comprises a rotary valve element having a notch extending chordally therethrough, h. an apertured pliable valve seat means positioned for cooperating with said rotary valve element to regulate the flow of finely divided material from said storage vessel means to said entrainment chamber, i. an apertured pliable element juxtaposed to said valve seat means and having a cavity which is subjected to be pressurized to enhance the sealing pressure between said seat means and said rotary valve element, and j. said gas flow regulating means communicating gas pressure with said cavity whereby when said rotary valve element is closed and the pressure is lower in said storage vessel than in said entrainment chamber the pressure in said cavity will effect said sealing pressure enhancement.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
328 words
Apparatus for use with a metallurgical vessel wherein the apparatus delivers gas or finely divided material to an entrainment chamber subject to variations of process gas flow and back pressure, for entrainment in gas for injection into the vessel below the level of molten metal therein whereby said gas and materials may diffuse through molten metal in the converter vessel, said apparatus comprising: a. material storage reservoir means adapted to be pressurized, b. means for fluidizing finely divided material and means for discharging material from said vessel adjacent said fluidizing means, c. a finely divided material entrainment chamber means communicated with said discharging means and including a nozzle means for projecting gas therein, d. metering valve means interposed between said fluidizing means and said entrainment chamber means, said entrainment chamber means being constructed and arranged for communicating with said converter vessel, e. a gas feed line adapted to be connected with a source of high pressure gas, f. gas flow regulating means coupled to said gas feed line and to said fluidizing means and to said material entrainment chamber and being constructed and arranged to provide a higher gas pressure to said fluidizing means than to said entrainment chamber, g. said metering valve means comprises a rotary valve element having a notch extending chordally therethrough, h. an apertured pliable valve seat means positioned for cooperating with said rotary valve element to regulate the flow of finely divided material from said storage vessel means to said entrainment chamber, i. an apertured pliable element juxtaposed to said valve seat means and having a cavity which is subjected to be pressurized to enhance the sealing pressure between said seat means and said rotary valve element, and j. said gas flow regulating means communicating gas pressure with said cavity whereby when said rotary valve element is closed and the pressure is lower in said storage vessel than in said entrainment chamber the pressure in said cavity will effect said sealing pressure enhancement.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 10 including: a. regulation and control means for controlling the position of said material flow metering valve and thereby the rate of material flow to said metallurgical vessel independent of process gas flow rate and back pressure variations, means for producing signals representative of the weight of the contents of said pressurizable storage vessel means responsive to said signals for operating said control means to produce a predetermined material flow rate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
88 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 10 wherein: a. there are a plurality of finely divided material storage reservoir means each of which has a said metering valve means associated therewith, b. pipe means communicating each of said valve means with the same said entrainment chamber, said metering valve means being selectively operable to close all but one of them and to let one remain open and subject to variable control without feed back of gas pressure from said entrainment chamber to any of the inactive storage reservoirs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
87 words
The invention set foRth in claim 10 including: a. regulation and control means for controlling the position of said material flow metering valve means and thereby the rate of material flow to said converter vessel independent of the process gas flow rate and back pressure variations, using for control purposes signals representative of the weight of the material contents of said pressurizable vessel which signals are integrated with signals indicative of pre-set requirements of material flow in terms of process gas volume per unit weight of material.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
213 words
A system for conveying gas entrained finely divided material from a material storage vessel to apparatus for converting ferrous metal to steel, comprising: a. a chamber having an inlet communicating with said storage vessel and an outlet communicable with said apparatus, b. metering valve means interposed between said vessel and said chamber inlet for regulating the flow of finely divided material from the vessel to the chamber, and including a movable element, c. nozzle means having an inlet and an outlet at least the latter of which is disposed in said chamber for producing a gas stream to entrain said material, d. said storage vessel means having a material discharge opening communicating with said metering valve means, e. gas permeable means in said vessel near said discharge opening and an enclosure for said gas permeable means, and f. gas distribution means for providing gas at a first pressure to said nozzle and a higher pressure to said gas permeable means for fluidizing said material, g. pliable valve seat means in sealing engagement with said movable element, said seat means having a cavity coupled to said gas distribution means for receiving gas at a pressure in excess of said first pressure to enhance the sealing force between said seat means and said movable element.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
213 words
A system for conveying gas entrained finely divided material from a material storage vessel to apparatus for converting ferrous metal to steel, comprising: a. a chamber having an inlet communicating with said storage vessel and an outlet communicable with said apparatus, b. metering valve means interposed between said vessel and said chamber inlet for regulating the flow of finely divided material from the vessel to the chamber, and including a movable element, c. nozzle means having an inlet and an outlet at least the latter of which is disposed in said chamber for producing a gas stream to entrain said material, d. said storage vessel means having a material discharge opening communicating with said metering valve means, e. gas permeable means in said vessel near said discharge opening and an enclosure for said gas permeable means, and f. gas distribution means for providing gas at a first pressure to said nozzle and a higher pressure to said gas permeable means for fluidizing said material, g. pliable valve seat means in sealing engagement with said movable element, said seat means having a cavity coupled to said gas distribution means for receiving gas at a pressure in excess of said first pressure to enhance the sealing force between said seat means and said movable element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
103 words
For use in a system for conveying finely divided material from a pressurizable storage vessel to apparatus for converting ferrous metal to steel in which system material is conducted through a conduit means from said vessel to a chamber wherein said material is entrained in gas projected by a nozzle, the improvement comprising: a. metering valve means including a rotary valve element interposed between said vessel and chamber, b. pliable valve seat means in sealing engagement with said rotary element, said seat means having a cavity for receiving pressurized gas to enhance the sealing force between said seat means and said rotary element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
103 words
For use in a system for conveying finely divided material from a pressurizable storage vessel to apparatus for converting ferrous metal to steel in which system material is conducted through a conduit means from said vessel to a chamber wherein said material is entrained in gas projected by a nozzle, the improvement comprising: a. metering valve means including a rotary valve element interposed between said vessel and chamber, b. pliable valve seat means in sealing engagement with said rotary element, said seat means having a cavity for receiving pressurized gas to enhance the sealing force between said seat means and said rotary element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
88 words
The invention set forth in claim 15 including: a. means for intercommunicating the inlet of said nozzle and the interior of said vessel for enabling substantially the same gas pressure to be applied thereto, b. means for connecting said cavity to a source of gas pressure greater than said same pressure, whereupon if the pressure in said nozzle chamber exceeds the pressure in said storage vessel, said cavity will be pressurized to said greater pressure to enhance sealing engagement and inhibit flow from said chamber to said vessel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention set forth in claim 15 including: a. rigid means in said conduit means for supporting said pliable valve seat means in proximity with said rotary valve means, said rigid means being mounted for removal from said conduit means jointly with said valve seat means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention set forth in claim 15 including: a. means for determining the weight of material in said storage vessel and means responsive to said determining means by regulating the flow of material through said metering valve means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention set forth in claim 18 wherein: a. said weight determining means is at least one load cell on which at least the weight of said storage vessel means reacts.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
365 words
A system for selectively transporting gas and gas entrained finely divided material to a vessel for converting ferrous metal to steel characterized by said vessel having a refractory lining and tuyere means for conducting sAid gas and material into said vessel for permeation through a melt contained therein, comprising: a. at least one pressurizable material storage vessel, b. a first chamber for communicating with said tuyere means, c. nozzle means for projecting a gas stream in said chamber to selectively entrain material received from said storage vessel, d. conduit means having an inlet communicating with said storage vessel and an outlet communicating with said nozzle chamber, e. metering valve means interposed in said conduit means between said storage vessel and first chamber, said metering valve means including a movable valve element and pressure responsive valve seat means disposed between said valve element and the inlet of said conduit, said pressure responsive valve seat means including a pliable valve seat having one side engagable with said movable valve element and means defining a pressurized fluid receiving space on the other side of said valve seat, said space being isolated from said storage vessel and chamber, f. first gas permeable means communicating with a space in said conduit means between said valve means and said storage vessel and including a first enclosure for enabling application of pressurized gas to said first permeable means for agitating said material, g. a second gas permeable means adjacent the exit of said vessel and entrance of said conduit means and including a second enclosure for enabling application of pressurized gas to said second permeable means to agitate said material, h. gas supply means for providing gas under a first pressure to said nozzle chamber and at a higher pressure to said first and second gas permeable means, said gas supply means also being coupled to said pressurized fluid receiving space seat means for providing a gas thereto at a pressure higher than said first pressure to enhance the sealing engagement between said valve element and said valve seat whereby said valve seat is urged into positive engagement with said valve element regardless of pressure variations in said storage vessel or chamber.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
365 words
A system for selectively transporting gas and gas entrained finely divided material to a vessel for converting ferrous metal to steel characterized by said vessel having a refractory lining and tuyere means for conducting sAid gas and material into said vessel for permeation through a melt contained therein, comprising: a. at least one pressurizable material storage vessel, b. a first chamber for communicating with said tuyere means, c. nozzle means for projecting a gas stream in said chamber to selectively entrain material received from said storage vessel, d. conduit means having an inlet communicating with said storage vessel and an outlet communicating with said nozzle chamber, e. metering valve means interposed in said conduit means between said storage vessel and first chamber, said metering valve means including a movable valve element and pressure responsive valve seat means disposed between said valve element and the inlet of said conduit, said pressure responsive valve seat means including a pliable valve seat having one side engagable with said movable valve element and means defining a pressurized fluid receiving space on the other side of said valve seat, said space being isolated from said storage vessel and chamber, f. first gas permeable means communicating with a space in said conduit means between said valve means and said storage vessel and including a first enclosure for enabling application of pressurized gas to said first permeable means for agitating said material, g. a second gas permeable means adjacent the exit of said vessel and entrance of said conduit means and including a second enclosure for enabling application of pressurized gas to said second permeable means to agitate said material, h. gas supply means for providing gas under a first pressure to said nozzle chamber and at a higher pressure to said first and second gas permeable means, said gas supply means also being coupled to said pressurized fluid receiving space seat means for providing a gas thereto at a pressure higher than said first pressure to enhance the sealing engagement between said valve element and said valve seat whereby said valve seat is urged into positive engagement with said valve element regardless of pressure variations in said storage vessel or chamber.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention set forth in claim 20 including: a. pressure relief means adapted to relieve pressure in said storage vessel when said metering valve means and said shut-off valves are closed, whereby to permit loading of said storage vessel with finely divided material without discontinuing gas feed through said nozzle.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
88 words
The invention set forth in claim 20 including: a. load sensitive means on which a force is applied by said storage vessel means in accordance with the weight thereof and which produces corresponding signals, b. regulation and control means to control position of said material flow metering valve and thereby control the rate of material flow to the process, using for control purposes said signals from said load sensitived means which signals are integrated with pre-set requirements of material flow in terms of material weight per unit time.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
88 words
The invention set forth in claim 20 including: a. load sensitive means on which a force is applied by said storage vessel means in accordance with the weight thereof and which produces corresponding signals, b. regulation and control means to control said material flow metering valve and thereby the rate of material flow to the converter vessel, using for control purposes signals from said load sensitive means which signals are integrated with pre-set requirements of material flow in terms of material weight per unit volume of process gas.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
238 words
Apparatus for use with a vessel adapted for converting impure molten ferrous metal to steel wherein the apparatus delivers gas or finely divided material to an entrainment chamber subject to variations of process gas flows and back pressures, for entrainment in gas and injection into the vessel below the level of molten metal therein whereby said gas and materials may diffuse through molten metal in the converter vessel, said apparatus comprising: a. mateRial storage reservoir means adapted to be pressurized, b. means for fluidizing finely divided material discharging from the bottom of said vessel, c. a finely divided material entrainment chamber means including a nozzle means adapted to project gas therein, d. metering valve means disposed on the inlet side of said entrainment chamber means, said entrainment chamber means being constructed and arranged for communicating with said converter vessel, e. a gas feed line adapted to be connected with a source of high pressure gas, f. said metering valve means comprises a rotary valve element having a notch extending chordally therethrough, g. an apertured pliable valve seat means positioned for cooperating with said rotary valve element to regulate the flow of finely divided material from said storage reservoir means to said entrainment chamber, h. an apertured pliable element juxtaposed to said valve seat means and having a cavity which is subjected to be pressurized to enhance the sealing pressure between said seat means and said rotary valve element.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
238 words
Apparatus for use with a vessel adapted for converting impure molten ferrous metal to steel wherein the apparatus delivers gas or finely divided material to an entrainment chamber subject to variations of process gas flows and back pressures, for entrainment in gas and injection into the vessel below the level of molten metal therein whereby said gas and materials may diffuse through molten metal in the converter vessel, said apparatus comprising: a. mateRial storage reservoir means adapted to be pressurized, b. means for fluidizing finely divided material discharging from the bottom of said vessel, c. a finely divided material entrainment chamber means including a nozzle means adapted to project gas therein, d. metering valve means disposed on the inlet side of said entrainment chamber means, said entrainment chamber means being constructed and arranged for communicating with said converter vessel, e. a gas feed line adapted to be connected with a source of high pressure gas, f. said metering valve means comprises a rotary valve element having a notch extending chordally therethrough, g. an apertured pliable valve seat means positioned for cooperating with said rotary valve element to regulate the flow of finely divided material from said storage reservoir means to said entrainment chamber, h. an apertured pliable element juxtaposed to said valve seat means and having a cavity which is subjected to be pressurized to enhance the sealing pressure between said seat means and said rotary valve element.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
88 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 24 wherein: a. there are a plurality of finely divided material storage vessel means each of which has a said metering valve means associated therewith, b. pipe means communicating each of said valve means with the same said entrainment chamber, said metering valve means being selectively operable to close all but one of them and to let one remain open and subject to variable control without feed back of gas pressure from said entrainment chamber to any of the inactive storage vessels.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
201 words
A system for conveying finely divided materials from a pressurizable storage vessel to a metallurgical vessel, the combination of, a material flow metering valve, first means for entraining said material in a pressurized gas stream to a metallurgical vessel, said valve being disposed between said storage vessel and said first means, said valve including a movable valve element, pressure responsive valve seat means sealingly engageable with said valve element and cooperating therewith, said valve seat means including a pressure responsive pliable valve seat having one side in engagement with said valve element, pressurizable means associated with the other side of said valve element and including pressurized fluid receiving space isolated from the storage vessel and said first means, said pressurizable means urging said valve seat into engagement with said movable valve element when said space is pressurized for increasing the sealing pressure with said valve element, and pressurized fluid conducting means connecting said pressurized fluid receiving space to a high pressure source means, the pressure of said source being in excess of pressure in said first means whereby said valve seat is urged into positive engagement with said valve element regardless of pressure variations in said storage vessel or first means.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
201 words
A system for conveying finely divided materials from a pressurizable storage vessel to a metallurgical vessel, the combination of, a material flow metering valve, first means for entraining said material in a pressurized gas stream to a metallurgical vessel, said valve being disposed between said storage vessel and said first means, said valve including a movable valve element, pressure responsive valve seat means sealingly engageable with said valve element and cooperating therewith, said valve seat means including a pressure responsive pliable valve seat having one side in engagement with said valve element, pressurizable means associated with the other side of said valve element and including pressurized fluid receiving space isolated from the storage vessel and said first means, said pressurizable means urging said valve seat into engagement with said movable valve element when said space is pressurized for increasing the sealing pressure with said valve element, and pressurized fluid conducting means connecting said pressurized fluid receiving space to a high pressure source means, the pressure of said source being in excess of pressure in said first means whereby said valve seat is urged into positive engagement with said valve element regardless of pressure variations in said storage vessel or first means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system set forth in claim 26 wherein said first means comprises a nozzle chamber connected to receive material from said vessel and passing said valve, a nozzle disposed in said chamber and connected to receive a pressurized gas stream for entraining said material, said pressurized gas creating a pressure in said chamber.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system set forth in claim 26 wherein said movable valve element comprising a rotary valve element in sealing engagement with said valve seat.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US239621A
Cited
US1549966A
Cited
US1935843A
Cited
US2806781A
Cited
US2802698A
Cited
US3323905A
Cited
US3333774A
Cited
US3365242A
Cited
US3632173A
Cited
US3671079A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-19 | 1978-11-18 | 1979-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-19 | 1982-11-18 | 1983-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-19 | 1986-11-18 | 1987-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |