AU481069B2 - Metallurgical apparatus including a vessel for metal conversion - Google Patents

Description

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4o4Mun rk~ th,, t nalbasic oxygen metho for converting molten pig iron to steel a quantity of molten metal is con- tained in a refractory lined vessel and oxygen is injected directly into the surface of the molten metal by means of a lance which is admitted through the mouth of the vessel while it is upright. The vessel is usually supported in a trunnion ring from which diametrically opposite trunnion pins extend into bearings which facilitate tilting the vessel for the purposes of charging it with raw materials and for discharging its contents through its mouth. There is usually a hood above the mouth of the vessel when it is in its upright position for the purpose of collecting gases which evolve incidental to the steel refining process. When it is desi red to charge the vessel with hot metal, scrap and slag producing and fluxing agents such as burnt lime, the vessel mouth must be tilted away from the hood or the hood must be shifted to provide access to the vessel. Large quantities of smoke and noxious gases evolve from the vessel into the atmosphere when the vessel and gas collection hood are separated. Even when the hood is close to the vessel mouth as it is during vessel operation, significant quantities of smoke and gases still escape to the atmosphere. This is a major source of pollution which has resulted in threats to shut plants down until antipollution regulations can be met. Bottom blown oxygen converter vessels have become known recently. In this type of vessel oxygen and finely divided fluxing materials are injected primarily beneath the surface of-the molten metal within the vessel through tuyeres in the bottom and sides of the vessel. By injecting oxygen, other

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through the gases and finely divided solids entrained in gases such as bottom tuyeres, the constituents of the molten metal, in intimate the carbon which is to be reduced by oxygen, are the melt. contact with the gases and solids that permeate reactions This results in more nearly stoichiometric chemical Moreover, it and there is an accompanying reduction of smoke. vessel mouth so is possible to keep the hood very close to the smoke can escape that only insignificant quantities of gas and

to the atmosphere. the The present invention is concerned with overcoming operation above-outlined pollution problems associated with An important of top-blown basic oxygen converter vessels. transformation of object of this invention is.to accomplish vessels existing top-blown converter vessels into bottom-blown thereby to at the installation site of the top-blown vessel, might be lost as save an investment in capital equipment which new converter top- a result of having to retire a relatively to be operated blown vessel because of its.inherent inability

in compliance with antipollution regulations. vessel may An installed top-blown basic oxygen converter the installation be transformed into a bottom-blown type at by installing site. In general terms this is accomplished of the existing tuyeres in the previously imperforate bottom which the vessel is converter vessel. The trunnion shafts on passageways for supported are suitable bored to provide divided materials to the conducting gases and entrained finely for conducting bottom tuyers. Passageways are also provided and for gases to tuyeres in the sidewalls of the vessel ring which conducting cooling water to and from the trunnion are provided for supports the vessel. Special rotary joints

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interconnecting the trunnion shaft passageways to the stationary piping which leads back to the sources of the

gases and other materials..

The invention consists in metallurgical apparatus including a vessel having tuyere means for delivering fluid

beneath the level of metal contained in the vessel, trunnion

ring means supporting said vessel and trunnion pin means

extending from said ring to enable tilting of said vessel,

at least one of said trunnion pin means having an axial

bore therein, fluid conducting means for conducting fluids

to or from said apparatus comprising:

adapter means within said axial bore of said

pin means having a first bore defining a cavity therein that

is generally axial of said fluid conducting means and of

said pin means,

a first tubular element extending into said axial bore of said pin means and terminating in registry

with and sealed with said cavity,

a second tubular element surrounds said first tubular element to define a fluid conducting space therewith,

said second tubular element terminating in substantial registry and sealable with a second generally axial bore in

said adapter means which is concentric with and axially of

said first bore of said adapter means,

said adapter means further including a first radial bore therein communicating with said cavity, said

first radial bore communicating also with a first generally

radial bore in said pin means, thereby enabling a continuous

fluid flow path through said first tubular element, said cavity, said first radial bore of said adapter means and

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said first radial bore of said pin means,

said adapter means further including second

radial bore communicating with the fluid conducting space

between said first and second tubular element and also

communicating with a second radial hole in said pin means

enabling a second continuous fluid flow path through said

fluid conducting space between said first and second

tubular element, said second axial bore, said second radial

bore of said adapter means and said second radial hole in said pin means,

means connecting said one of said radial bores

to said tuyere means for delivering fluid from one of said flow paths to said vessel,

(g)said second tubular element being smaller in

diameter than the axial bore of said pin means to thereby

define a third fluid flow path between said second tubular

element and the walls of said axial bore in said pin means,

and wherein said trunnion pin has a third radial hole

communicating with said third fluid flow path to enable a

third fluid flow path from said axial bore and through said

pin means.

The invention further consists in a metallurgical

apparatus as set forth in the preceding paragraph constructed

by an on-site method of transforming a pre-existing top-blown

steel converter vessel to a bottom-blown vessel, said vessel

being of the kind supported in a trunnion ring on trunnion pins

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extending laterally therefrom for tilting said vessel on a horizontal axis, said transformation method comprising: (a) selectively and temporarily positioning boring machinery in proximity with at least one of the trunnion Pins, making with said machinery an axial bore of predetermined length in at least one of said trunnion Pins and making at least one radial bore in at least one of said trunnion pins, which radial bore communicates with said axial bore, installing at least one tubular means in at least one of said axial bores, terminating said tubular means in said bore and connecting the same to said radial bore, forming an opening through said vessel and adjacent its lower end, installing in said opening at least one tuyere and connecting said tuyere to said radial bore.

The accompanying drawings show, by way of example only, one embodiment of the invention in which:- FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a converter vessel that is

rotated 900 from its normal operating position, parts of the vessel being broken away, and the vessel being associated with a temporarily installed boring machine which is used to provide passageways in the vessel trunnion ring and trunnion pins for communicating the vessel tuyeres with fluidic material sources; FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the vessel rotated 900 from its operating position in conjunction with the boring machine which is used to make trunnion pin passageways. for transforming a top-blown vessel to a bottom-blown type; FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary elevational section of the bottom portion of a converter vessel shell; FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view of the bottom portion of a converter vessel which has been transformed in accordance

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with the invention and is associated with a modified outer in section; vessel shell which is shown fragmentarily and shell FIGURE 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the shown in the preceding figure; FIGURE 6 is an elevation view of a rotary joint, with

parts broken away* used in connection with the vessel transfer; FIGURE 7 is a reduced longitudinal sectional view of a

portion of a vessel trunnion pin and associated trunnion rings which are treated in accordance with the invention; with FIGURE 8 represents another type of rotary joint used on vessels parts broken away and parts in section which is that are transformed in accordance with the invention; FIGURE 9 is a longitudinal sectional view, reduced in which are size, of a vessel trunnion pin and truinnionl ring treated in accordance with the invention; and ring from FIGURE 10 is a fragment of a vessel trunnion divided which pipes extend for conducting gas and finely vessel* materials entrained in gas through tuyeres of a

vessel In FIGURE 1 a conventional top-blown converter during is shown in one of the positions which it assumies transformation of it to a bottom-blown type of converter

vessel. When the vessel 10 is in its operating position, the 2 is mouth 11 of the vessel which can be seen in FIGURE vessel 10 is rotated 900 presented upwardly, In other words, it appears on a horizontal axis, from the position in which is in a in FIGURE 1, during normal operation. Vessel 10 allow the concrete walled pit 12 which is deep enough to axis. vessel to rotate through a full circle on its horizontal imperforate Conventional top-blown converter vessels have an 7 4 81069

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bottom section 13 defined by a metal shell 14. The bottom shell 14 and the cylindrical metal midsection shell together with the conidal upper shell section 16 are all lined with refractory material, not shown, in a well known fashion. Vessel 10 is supported in a trunnion ring 17 which has upper 18 and lower 19 flanges that are joined by an internal axially extending substantially circular web and an external web such as 20. Thus, in effect, trunnion ring 17 is a circular beam in which there are circumferential passageways through which cooling water may be circulated if desired. Vessel 10 is supported on the flanges 18 and 19 of trunnion ring 17 by means of a plurality of upper and lower circum- ferentially spaced brackets such as those marked 21-24 or any other means of suspension which prevents the vessel from separating from the ring when the vessel is either upright or inverted. There is an annular gap 25 between the trunnion ring 17 and vessel 10 to allow for expansion and distortion of the vessel which inevitably occurs when it is alternately heated and cooled. At the sides and internally of the trunnion ring 17 there are built-in supporting blocks 26 and 27 in which opposite horizontally extending trunnion shafts or pins 28 and 29 are affixed. Trunnion pin 28 is journaled in a bearing structure as can be seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, and the pin 28 extends through the bearing structure 30 as indicated by the broken away portion 28' in FIGURE 1. The bearing structure 30 is supported on a concrete pier 31 which together with another concrete wall 32 defines a pit 33.. The pit accommodates a vessel drive mechanism 34 which is omitted from FIGURE 1 but

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appears in elevation in FIGURE For convenience, the side situated will of the vessel on which drive mechanism 34 is mechanism 34 hereinafter be called the drive side. The drive detail except is conventional and need not be described in is journaled on to say that it comprises a housing 35 which by means which tru.nnion pin 28 and is prevented from rotating housing have been omitted from the drawings.* Mounted on such as motors are several electric or hydraulic drive motors 38 and 39, 36 and 37 which are connected to speed reducers respectively,, which are also supported from housing not shown, Extending from the speed reducers are drive shafts, pinions which have pinions, not shown, on their ends.* The to trunnion engage with a bull gear, not shown, which is keyed bull pin 28. Thus, when motors such as 36 are operated, the 10 is gear and trunnion pin 28 are driven and the vessel caused to tilt about the horizontal axis of trunnion pins 28 end 28' of and 29. It should be noted in FIGURE 2 that the so as to be trunnion pin 28 extends through gear housing 35 accessible for boring passageways in it in accordance with the

invention. The trunnion pin 29 on the other side of the vessel in a bearing hereafter called the idler side, is also journaled structure 39 which is supported on a concrete pier 40 at the

perimeter of the pit 12 in which the vessel is located. and As mentioned earlier, the invet tio involves a method converter apparatus for placing the tuyeres of a tiltable fluidic vessel in communication with stationary sources of and cooling materials such as gases, finely divided materials water so that the vessel may be operated as a bottom-blown it was vessel instead of as a top-blown vessel for which 4 81,069

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originally designed. Shortly hereinafter a detailed description of the method for transforming the vessel into a bottom-blown type will be given, but before that, the construction and operating mode of the tuyeres which are installed in the vessel bottom will be described in reference to FIGURES 3, 4 and 5. FIGURE 4 shows the bottom portion of a converter vessel 10 which has been transformed from a top- blown type to a bottom-blown type. As mentioned earlier* the interior vessel bottom is lined with refractory material 46 which is originally imperforate in a top-blown vessel. To make the bottom-blown transformation, the refractory lining inside the vessel is removed. The spherical head 13 in the bottom of the vessel is flame cut along the circular periphery 65 as shown in FIGURE 3. A circular plate FIGURE 5, with a concentric circular cut-out in its middle is welded along periphery 65 by welds 61. Circular plate is prepared with a reinforcing ring 62 inserted and welded along the periphery of the circular cut-out at 63. Another circular plate 52, FIGURE 4, of suitable diameter and thick- ness is prepared to fit over the cut-out in the bottom of the vessel, from the outside to close the opening described before. Circular plate 66 is bored with axially or inclined extending holes 67. Several tuyeres such as 48 are then in- stalled in a predetermined pattern in the bottom of the vessel, although only one tuyere 48 is shown in FIGURE 4. The tuyere is sealed in the refractory bottom 46. These tuyeres 48 comprise two concentric pipes which have a small annular gap between them. The outer pipe is marked 49 and the inner pipe is marked 50 in FIGURE 4. The outer pipe is connected by means of a flange 51 to the bottom plate 52. A means is

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pipe 49 and provided to connect the annular gap between outer of the small inner pipe 50 so that gas may be conducted axially on refractory gap and into the molten metal which is supported not shown, bottom 46 added to plate 52. Typically a header, is used in place of individual tees such as 53 and the header such as 54. is supplied with pressurized gas by means of a pipe connects by" The central pipe 50 extends through tee 53 and device connected some means such as elbow 55 to a distributor 54. to pipe 56 which is typically larger than pipe pressurized In connection with the bottom-blown process, finely divided gases such as oxygen and oxygen which entrains through fluxing material such as burnt lime are delivered fluidic pipe 56 to inner tuyere pipe 50 so that these metal materials may be injected directly into the molten let to react within vessel 10. As is known, the oxygen is phosphorous, with the undesirable impurities such as sulphur, including excessive carbon and other elements to form oxides evolve from the carbon monoxide and then carbon dioxide which and the fluxing vessel mouth and- into the gas collection hood to form slag agents react with other-constituents of the melt reaction between which accumulates on the top of the melt. The which oxygen and the impurities is an exothermic reaction pipe tips. causes intense heat in the vicinity of the tuyere surrounding Thus it is necessary to cool the tuyere tips and the tuyeres refractory bottom material 46 to avoid having accomplished and refractory burn away prematurely. This is through the by injecting a hydrocarbon gas such as propane inside tuyere annular gap between outside tuyere pipe 49 and pipe 50. When the hydrocarbon gas is subjected to the intense tuyeres the gas heat of the molten metal in the vicinity of the 14 481069

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cracks into its hydrogen and carbon components. This is anl endothermidc process which effectuates cooling of the tuyeres and surrounding refractory material. As a result, several hundred heats of molten metal can be refined in vessel before replacement of the tuyeres and refractory bottom is necessary. As shown in FIGURE 4, the transformation of the converter vessel 10 from a top-blown type to a bottom-blown type requires providing an access opening 57 in the casing 58 which surrounds the gas connections to the tuyeres 48. Opening 57 may be pro-

vided with a removable bottom flange plate for access. Casing

58 is secured to the vessel shell with several clamping devices 69. Because vessel 10 is tiltable, it is necessary to provide

suitable passageways in the drive side trunnion pin 28 and the idler side trunnion pin 29 to communicate the bottom tuyeres 48 and also side wall tuyeres to be discussed later with stationary pipes that connect to fluidic material, not shown,

sources by eay of rotary joints, to be discussed, which fasten to the ends of the drive side trunnion pin 28 and idler side trunnion pin 29. The method of making the passageways and, hence, carrying on a necessary step for transforming a top- bottom vessel into a bottom-blow type will now be discussed primarily in reference to F'IGURES 1 and Both axial and

radial passageways or bores are required in trunnion pins 28 and 29 and radial bores are variously required in the trunnion pins and trunnion ring side blocks 26 and 27.* The use of these bores in typical cases will be discussed later in connection with FIGURES 7 and 9 primarily. For the present, attention is directed to FIGURES 1 and 2 for a discussion of

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for making the bores* the method anid apparatus required is temporarily installed In FIGURE 1 a boring machine 70 making the bore in trunnion block in a pit 71 and is set uxp for 28 in a direction which is 26 and drive side trunnionl pin of trunnion pin 28. It will radial with respect to the axis opening is made in trunnion be explained later how a suitable by the spindle 72 of boring ring flange 19 to permit access of course, adapted at its outer machine 70. Spindle 72, is, for making a pilot hole and end to hold a drill, not shown, shown, for making one or more for holding a cutting bit, not bores of suitable size. usually are made by setting Other radial bores may be and with locations such as are marked up boring machine 70 in other and 75. The last two locations the reference numerals5 73, 74 27 as required in trunnion block 74 and 75 are for making bores side. and trunnion pin 29 on the idler boring machine 80 for FIGURE 2 demonstrates use of a side trunnion pin 28. The spindle making a bore endwise of drive into the end 28' of the idler 81 of boring machine 80 extends the drive mechanism gear trunnion pin which projects through is supported on suitable beams housing 35.* Boring machine 80 to concrete operating floor 82 which are temporarily fastened 82 is further supported and 83. The boring machine base support column 84 which stabilized by a temporarily installed pit 33. The boring machine rests on the concrete bottom of base 82 for being supported on is also transferred with its trunnion pin 29 whose end is concrete floor 85 adjacent idler 39 so as to be accessible by exposed through bearing structure 80. Thus, with the various the spindle 81 of boring machine FIGURE 2 axial bores may be made setups that are obtainable in 34 481,069

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in trunnion pins 28 and 29 and these bores may be extended

into trunnion ring side blocks 26 and 27 as required.

Figure 7 illustrates a typical treatment given to the drive side trunnion pin 28 and the trunnion ring 17 drive side

block 26. By using the boring machine setup of Figure 2, an axial bore 90 is made in trunnion pin 28. The end of bore is occupied by an adapter 91 which is inserted after bore

is made and has a central cylindrical recess 91a and a

counter sunk bore 91b. A first tubular member 94 extends into the axial bore 90 in the trunnion pin 28 and is suitably

affixed in sealing relation and in registry with the counter

sunk bore 91b in adapter 91. Similarly, an inner tube extends axially through outer tube 94 in spaced relation

therefrom and is suitably affixed in sealing relation and in

registry with the recess 91a.

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6.84 2 n73 The adapter has one radial hole 92 that opens tube into a gap 93 between an outer tube 94 and an inner and so These latter tubes are preferably of stainless steel is the adapter 91. Threaded into radial adapter hole 92 is cavity 98 a pipe 96 which has its open end 97 in an annular its that extends around trunnion ring 17. Pipe 96 through the opening 97 drains cooling water from cavity 97 into constitutes annular space 93 between tubes 94 and 95 which space with a cooling water outlet or return that is in communication 6 and the rotary joint assembly which is depicted in FIGURE will be described in detail later. As explained earlier, a section or plug 99 may be removed by the boring from flange 18 of trunnion ring 17 to permit access which cooling machine spindle for making the radial bore 100 in water return pipe 96 is inserted. Finally the plug 99 is

rewelded into flange 18 as shown in FIGURE 7. As is further evident in FIGURE 7, a plug 101 is also burned

out of trunnion ring flange 19 to permit making additional the boring radial bores 102 and 103 in the trunnion block 26 with with a machine setup shown in FIGURE 1. Bore 102 is fitted with pipe 107 that screws into adapter 91 at 104 and connects the interior of internal tube 95. Tube 95 thus constitutes a the trunnionl cooling water inlet and incoming cooling water for

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ring is discharged into a circumferential cavity 106 through the end 105 of pipe 107. The manner in which cooling water inlet cavity 106 is cross connected with cooling water outlet cavity 98 is not depicted in the drawing. The large axial bore 90 in trunnion pin 28 serves in conjunction with the exterior of outer concentric tube 94 to create another annular or tubular axial passageway 110 which communicates with a radial bore 111 which is coaxial with bore 103 in trunnion pin 28. A pipe 112, which is shown fragmentarily, is threaded into bore 111 at 113. This pipe may be connected to pipe 54 in FIGURE 4 for conducting the hydrocarbon gas to the bottom tuyeres 48 as previously discussed. The tubes 94 and 95 in FIGURE 7 which extend axially through bore 90 to trunnion pin 28 also extend into a rotary joint which is depicted in FIGURE 6. At its right end, the rotary joint has a flange 115 by which it is secured by means of machine screws 116 to the end face 28 1 of trunnion pin 28. Coaxial tubes 94 and 95 are shown brokent away in FIGURES 6 and 7 and one may also see how the space between these tubes define a continuous annular passageway 93 for outflow of cooling water while cooling water flows in through tube The outside wall of outer tube 94 also defines the passageway 13.0 through which a hydrocarbon or other gas may be delivered to vessel The rotary joint in FIGURE 6 has a throat 117 which is sealed for rotation in a body 118. Thus, throat 117 rotates with trunnion pin 28 when the vessel is tilted andi rotary joint body 118 remains stationary. Body 118 is broken away at about its midsection to show the ends of tubes 94 and The body 118 has a large central bore 119 which connects with 16 481,06 9

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gas supply pipe a radial hole 120 to which is connected a hydrocarbon gas 121 that connects to a pressurized source of for instance, not shown. Gas which enters pipe 121 in the joint by way direction of arrow 122 flows through the rotary passageway of annular passageway 119 and the commrunicating directed pipe 110 and eventually discharges through radially 112 which is shown in FIGURE 7 and is understood to lead to 4. Sealing the bottom tuyeres 48 which are shown in FIGURE bore of body 118 rings 135 are interposed between the inside leakage from passage- and the outside of tube 94 to prevent gas way 119. A drain hole 134 is also provided. FIGURE 6 Coupled with body 118 in the left portion of 125 which connects is a cormercially available rotary joint inlet pipe 126 by means of an elbbir.to a stationary water outlet pipe 121. and connects directly to a stationary water is coupled to a The water inlet inside tube 95 in body 118 is visible in the tube 128 by means of a coupling 129 which of rotary joint 125 broken away midsection. The construction and 95 may turn is such that coaxially connected tubes 128 joint 125 as with trunnion pin 28 while the body of rotary Thus, axially well as pipes 126 and 127 remain stationary. cooling water connected pipes 128 and tube 95 can deliver 10 is in any continuously to the trunnion ring when vessel has an adapter tilted position. The rotary joint 125 also an annular open- 130 which is flanged onto body 118 and has 132. The ring ing 131 which is occupied by a perforated ring cooling water has axial perforations 133 for passing returning outlet pipe 127. It from annular passageway 93 to the water covers a is understood that although the previous description for other certain arrangement of flow,, yet it is possible 17 4 8106 9

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arrangements as well, by means of interchangeability of the fluids in the annular concentric paths and making the necessary connections for the exit of each fluid based on the previously described principle. Now that the method of typically adapting the drive side of the converter vessel 10 for bringing cooling water in and out and for admitting a hydrocarbon gas through the bottom tuyeres has been described attention will be focused on FIGURES 8 and 9 which typifies treatment of the idler side of the vessel inso- far as one method of transforming the vessel from a top-blown to a bottom-blown type is concerned* FIGURE 8 illustrates a type of rotary valve that can be installed on the idler side trunnion pin 29 although it should be understood that it might be installed on the drive side as well if the trunnion pin is suitably bored. The rotary valve comprises a throat 140 at the left which has a flange 141 for fastening it to the end of idler trunnion pin 29, for example, after it has been suitably bored axially and radially as suggested in FIGURE 9. Flange 141, being fastened to the end of the trunnion pin, rotates with it. The rotary joint includes a body 142 which has an inlet hole 143 surrounded by a flange 144. Body 142 remains stationary while throat 140 and flange 141 rotate with the trunnion pin to which the flange 141 is attached. The large flanged opening 143 is for con- necting a feed line, not shown,. by which oxygen and other gases and gases entraining finely divided solids can be delivered to the rotary joint and ultimately to the center pipe 50 in the tuyeres 48 which are in the bottom of vessel 10. A pair of concentric tubes 145 and 146 extend through flange 141 and there is a hole 147 around them which constitutes an outlet 184 481,069

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side for gases and finely divided materials which enter flanged trunnion opening 143. Hole 147 commnunicates with bore 147' in in pin 29 as can be seen in FIGURE 9. Tubes 145 and 146 FIGURE 8 are-understood to be continuous with their counter- parts in FIGURE 9. An oxidizing gas or other gas may be delivered to vessel 8. through tube 146 in the rotary joint shown in FIGURE it is Tube 146 extends back to a flanged adapter 148 where 145 joined by brazing or welding as at 149. The outer tube like the inner one is preferably made of abrasion resistant with stainless steel or aluminum-bronze or steel tube sprayed abrasive alluminum.-bronze or ceramic material to withstand the effect of the finely divided materials which are transported the at high velocity in gas on the outside of tube 145 in flanged rotary joint-. The rotary joint at the far right has a elbow 154 for connecting it to a pipe, not shown, which would or lead back to a pressurized source,, not shown, of oxidizing in other gas. The concentric tubes 145 and 146 are supported a bearing sleeve 155 which is in a bracket 156 that fastens

to a flange 157. It will be evident from inspection of FIGURES to 8 and 9 that central rotary tubes 145 and 146 are fastened trunnion pin 29 and rotate with it while the rotary joint assembly 153 remains stationary. The construction is such

that gas which enters rotary joint assembly 154 flows through the interior of tube 146 into the trunnion pin and ultimately to the tuyeres at the bottom of vessel A typical manner for modifying the idler side trunnion pin 29 and the trunnion block 27 to cooperate in producing of fluidic material flow passageways with the rotary joint FIGURE 8 is illustrated in FIGURE-9. By using the boring

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arrangement described in connection with FIGURES 1 and 2, the trunnion pin 29 is provided with the axial bore 1471. In this

example two radial bores 160 and 161 are also made. Prior

to the latter two bores being made, a plug 162 is removed from the trunnion ring flange 19 to allow the spindle of the boring machine to enter. An adapter fitting 163 is installed in the end of bore 147'. The adapter is brazed to the ends o~f concentric tubes 145 and 146. Adapter 163 has a threaded radial hole 164 to which a pipe such as 165 may be threadingly engaged. Pipe 165 may be connected to supply an oxidizing or other gas to the bottom tuyeres or it may be connected as

necessary to pipe 176 in FIGURE 10 for routing gas to the top tuyeres or elsewhere. Pipe 166 is for conducting gases and gases entraining finely divided solids to the vessel tuyerea and the pipe may be brazed or welded as at 167 into the trunnion block 27 bore 160. Thus pipe 166 communicates with the large passageway 147' in the trunnion pin. Note that axial passageway 147'. and its connecting radial bore 160 have abrasion resistant stainless steel or aluminum-bronze, liners, or steel tubes sprayed with aluminum-bronze or ceramic material, to withstand abrasive effect of the finely divided materials which are transported at high velocity in the gas. A curved deflector block 170 is fixed by means of screws to adapter 163. The curved block eliminates the sharp corner which would otherwise cause flow friction and turbulence in the gas with entrained fine solids. FIGURE 10 illustrates that the trunnion pin and the surrounding trunnion block 26 may be suitably bored with the apparatus shown in FIGUJRES 1 and 2 to accommodate pipes which lead to the bottom tuyeres in the vessel and to sidewall 481,069

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tuyeres as well. For instance, the bottom tuyeres may be a large supplied with gas and entrained fine solids through 4. Another pipe 175 which may connect with pipe 56 in FIGURE a flexible radially extending pipe 176 may be connected to tuyere pipe 178. metal hose 177 which connects with a sidewall 179 in the The sidewall tuyere 178 extends through a hole of the vessel ref ractory lining 180 of vessel 10. The shell 1 where the is marked 15 in FIGURE 10 to agree with FIGURE installed is shell portion in which the sidewall tuyeres are similarly marked. The sidewall tuyere 178 may extend through an to the opening 181 in a bracket such as 24 which is attached are preferably metal shell of vessel 10. The sidewall tuyeres metal within located above the highest expected level of molten one sidewall the vessel.* In an actual embodiment more than about half' tuyere 178 may be used and they are distributed to a header, way around the vessel periphery and are connected not shown, which is supplied with pressurized fluidic material f rom pipe 176. the In summary, the foregoing description reveals how used to boring apparatus shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 can be of provide suitable passageways for enabling transformation has been a top-blown vessel into a bottom-blown type. It a cooling shown that the vessel may be adapted for having the same water inlet on one side and an outlet therefor on rotary joints side or even on the other side provided suitable gas inlets are used. It has also been shown how hydrocarbon bottom may be provided on either side of the vessel to supply combina- and top or sidewall tuyeres of the vessel. Various gases and tions of means have been described for delivering to the gases in which finely divided solids are entrained 01 4 81,069

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vessel. From the illustrations that have been given, those skilled in the art will be able to variously modify the vessel trunnion pin and trunnion ring to effectuate transformation of a top-blown vessel to a bottom-blown type. The true scope of the invention is to be determined by interpretation of the claims which follow.

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Claims (1)

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   THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS

   1. Metallurgical apparatus including a vessel having level of tuyere means for delivering fluid beneath the means metal contained in the vessel, trunnion ring from supporting said vessel and trunnion pin means extending at least one.of said ring to enable tilting of said vessel, therein, fluid said trunnion pin means having an axial bore said conducting means for conducting fluid to or from

   apparatus comprising adapter means within said axial bore of said therein that pin means having a first bore defining a cavity means and of is generally axial of said fluid conducting

   said pin means, a first tubular element extending into said

   axial bore of said pin means and terminating in registry with and sealed with said cavity, a second tubular element surrounds said first space therewith, tubular element to define a fluid conducting substantial said second tubular element terminating in axial bore in registry and sealable with a second generally and axially said adapter means which is concentric with

   of said first bore of said adapter means, said adapter means further including a first said radial bore therein communicating with said cavity, first generally first radial bore communicating also with a a continuous radial bore in said pin means, thereby enabling said fluid flow path through said first tubular element, means and cavity, said first radial bore of said adapter

   said first radial bore of said pin means, said adapter means further including second

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   radial bore communicating with the fluid conducting space

   between said first and second tubular element and also

   communicating with a second radial hole in said pin means

   enabling a second continuous fluid flow path through said

   fluid conducting space between said first and second

   tubular elements, said second axial bore, said second

   radial bore of said adapter means and said second radial hole in said pin means,

   means connecting said one of said radial bores

   to said tuyere means for delivering fluid from one of said flow paths to said vessel, said second tubular element being smaller in

   diameter than the axial bore of said pin means to thereby

   define a third fluid flow path between said second tubular

   element and the walls of said axial bore in said pin means,

   and wherein said trunnion pin has a third radial hole

   communicating with said third fluid flow path to enable a

   third fluid flow path from said axial bore and through said

   pin means.

   2. Metallurgical apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein

   said first tubular element is rotatably mounted with said

   adapter means to enable tilting of said vessel around the axis of said trunnion pin means.

   3. Metallurgical apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2

   wherein said second tubular element is rotatably mounted with said adapter means to enable tilting of said vessel

   around the axis of said trunnion pin means.

   4. Metallurgical apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2

   or 3 including tubular sheath means surrounding said second

   tubular element for protecting said second tubular element

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   56. 842 m

   means, the and being sealingly joined with said adapter transporting last named fluid flow path being adapted for

   gas which entrains finely divided material. one of Metallurgical apparatus as claimed in any means located in the preceding claims including deflector tubular element said fluid flow path between said second means for and the walls of said axial bore in said pin said third radial redirecting fluid flow therealong toward

   hole of said trunnion pin. one of 6. Metallurgical apparatus as claimed in any means coupled the preceding claims further comprising pipe said third radial at a first end by a gas tight coupling to pipe means having hole of said trunnion pin means, and said gas another end connected to said vessel for delivering

   thereto.

   4 81,069

   56. 842n3

   7, Metallurgical apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 66 wherein said trunnion ring means has a passageway for

   conducting coolant fluid therein, including second pipe means

   connected between said first radial hole of said trunnion pin

   means and said passageway of said trunnion ring means to

   provide a coolant fluid path between said first tubular

   element and said trunnion ring passageway. 49. Metallurgical apparatus as claimed in ClaimT9 including

   third pipe means connected between said second radial hole of

   said trunnion pin means and said passageway of said trunnion

   ring means to provide a coolant fluid path between the

   interspace of said first and second tubular elements and said

   trunnion ring passageway, thereby enabling coolant addition

   to said trunnion ring passageway through one of said second

   and third pipe means and removal of coolant from said trunnion ring passageway through the other of said second and third

   pipe means.

   Metallurgical apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 constructed by an on-site method of transforming a pre-existing

   top-blown steel converter vessel to a bottom-blown vessel, said

   vessel being of the kind supported in a trunnion ring on

   trunnion pins extending laterally therefrom for tilting said

   26 4 81069

   6 8 4 2 n3

   vessel on a horizontal axis, said transformation method

   comprising: selectively and temporarily positioning

   boring machinery in proximity with at least one of the trunnion

   pins, making with said machinery an axial bore of

   predetermined length in at least one of said trunnion pins and

   making at least one radial bore in at least one of said trunnion

   pins, which radial bore communicates with said axial bore, installing at least one tubular means in at least one of

   said axial bores, terminating said tubular means in said bore

   and connecting the same to said radial bore, forming an

   opening through said vessel and adjacent its lower end, (e)

   installing in said opening at least one tuyere and connecting

   said tuyere to said radial bore. 1 1 The method as claimed in Claim L and forming a second

   radial bore in said one trunnion pin, providing a second

   passageway in said axial bore in surrounding relation to said

   first passageway and connecting said second passageway to said

   second radial bore. 1 10 4e3. The method as claimed in Claim tL-, including providing

   multiple passageway rotary joint means at the inlet of each

   axial bore to establish continuous flow paths through said rotary

   joint and the flow paths within said axial bore. 19ro Ij 4 The method as claimed in any of Claimsl te-o including

   coupling at least another of said radial bores to another of said

   tuyere passageways, whereby to permit flow of different fluidic

   substances independently through said tuyere passageway and into

   said vessel. 9fo 3 The method as claimed in any of Claimsll -A1including

   the step of connecting a pipe means to at least one o f radial bores so that the pipe means has another open end

   27 481,069

   56.84 2 n3 communicating with the hollow interior of said trunnion ring

   said pipe means adapted for conducting cooling water selectivell

   into or out of said trunnion ring. 9o "44-6. The method as claimed in any of Claimskll including

   connecting pipe means to two of said radial bores so that each

   pipe means has an open end communicating with a cooling water

   flow passageway in said trunnion ring, said pipe means

   constituting respectively an entrance and an exit for trunnion

   ring coolant water.

   The method as claimed in Claim wherein said two

   radial bores are in opposite ones of said trunnion pins.

   The method as claimed in any of Claimskl-L wherein

   tuyeres are installed in at least one sidewall of said vessel

   above the level of the molten metal accommodated therein during the steel refining operation and said tuyeres are

   coupled with at least one of said radial bores. 17*9. The method as claimed in any of Claims wherein a t"c-4 wherein

   coupling fluid flow directing means is coupled to the end of

   at least one of said tubular means before the installation

   thereof.

   The method of transforming a top-blown converter vessel

   to a bottom-blown converter vessel substantially as described

   herein in conjunction with the drawings. 19 t. The metallurgical apparatus substantially as hereinbefore

   described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying

   drawings. (.N Dated this 8th day of November, 1976.

   PENNSYLVANIA ENGINEERING CORPORATION,

   Patent Attorneys for the Applicant:

   F.B. RICE CO.

   28 4 81,069