GB1561674A

GB1561674A - Removing refractory bricklinings

Info

Publication number: GB1561674A
Application number: GB788578A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Keibler-Thompson Corp
Current assignee: Keibler-Thompson Corp
Priority date: 1977-02-28
Filing date: 1978-02-28
Publication date: 1980-02-27
Also published as: DE2808492A1; DE7805980U1; AU3367478A

Description

(54) REMOVING REFRACTORY BRICK LININGS (71) We, KLEIBER-THOMPSON CORPOR AnON, of 130 Entrance Drive, New Kensington, Pennsylvania, United States of America, a corporation organised and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States of America, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particu larly describe din and by the following statement:- The invention relates to an apparatus and method for removing used refractory brick linings from blast-furnace stoves to prepare the stoves for relining.

Blast-furnace stoves are refractory lined regenerators enclosed with circular steel shells. A steel dome shaped top is welded to the top of the stove. The stoves, usually three or so per blast furnace, function to preheat the blast prior to its entry into the blast fur nace. Stoves consist essentially of a vertical passageway in which combustion is effected and the checkerwork which is a multiplicity of small passageways through which the pro ducts of combustion pass. Figure 1 illustrates a portion of typical stove of the type discussed above.

Under present practices, used refractory linings are removed by hand. Such practice is undesirable due to residual heat, gases, dust and other dangers to workmen removing the linings. The present invention overcomes these problems through use of a portable brick removal machine which may be operated from a location remote from the stove interior. One need merely to pass the machine through the stove flue, attach or brace the machine to the stove interior, and then proceed to operate it remotely. This procedure is extremely advantageous because the stove dome is of welded construction and hence is not amenable to removal and replacement for purposes of machine entry.It may be seen that other devices such as shown in United States Patents 3,471,888, 3,302,976 and 2,710,418 would not be appropriate for use in blast-furnace stove relining projects because such devices appear to require top insertion.

Further none of the prior art apparatus is readily disassemblable so that it can pass through the flue in the side of blast furnace stove and then be readily reassemblable inside of said stove.

The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for removing spent refractory brick linings from the interior of blast-furnace stoves. The method generally comprises inserting the brick removal device through an opening in the side of the stove, such as a flue, raising or positioning the device to the location at which brick is to be removed, supporting the device in position at such location, and operating the device to remove the brick lining from the interior of the blast furnace stove. The brick removing device is then positioned at a new location supported against the stove interior, and utilized to remove spent brick linings at the new location.

The apparatus of the invention comprises a portable platform which may be placed in a desired position in a blast furnace stove interior and secured in position through extension and locking of adjustable support means. The extensible support means are extended against the side walls of the stove to fasten the platform in position. A brick scraping device moves along and extends from the platform and is operated from a remote location once the platform has been positioned.

It is an object of this invention to provide an appatarus for removing spent refractory bricks from the interior of blast furnace stoves that does not require entry through the top or dome of the stove.

In order to make the invention clearly understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which are given by way of example and in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a typical blast furnace stove having the apparatus of the invention in operative position; and Figure 2 illustrates the apparatus of the invention in combination with the interior of a blast furnace stove.

Figure lisa cross-sectional view of a typical blast furnace stove from which refractory brick linings must be periodically removed.

Replacement involves removal of used linings 20 with use of refractory removal device of the invention which is also shown in this figure.

The blast furnace stove comprises metal shell 20 which is lined with refractories 21.

Refractory wall 10 separates combustion chamber 11 from refractory checkerwork.

Gas is combusted in combustion chamber 11 following its entry through burner located in the lower portion of the chamber. The combusted gas rises in the chamber, passes into dome area 12, and then into the aforementioned refractory checkerwork, and finally exists from the stove and passes into the blast furnace.

The portable refractory removal apparatus is shown in operative position with arm means 23 and 24 extended against metal shell 20.

The apparatus had previously been inserted into the blast furnace stove and hoisted into position with use of hoist system 14 and then operatively positioned through extension and adjustment of its arms. The removal apparatus basically comprises refractory removal member 30 which travels along rails contained on portable platform 22. Removal member 30 is connected by a cable system countweight means 31 while it moves in a direction opposite to that of removal member 30. Counterweight means 31 is connected to removal member 30 by cable 32 which passes through sheaves 38 and 34. Means 31 and device 30 may travel along rails 35 and 36 which are attached to platform 22. Such arrangement is preferred because of overall enhanced stability and balance of the system.

As also illustrated in this figure, as refractory bricks are chipped away, they may be permitted to fall and exit from the stove through chute.

Figure 2 illustrates the refractory lining removal appartus of the invention positioned against metal shell 20 of the stove and operatively positioned for removal of refractory brick lining 21. Portable platform 22 has extensible and adjustable arm means 23, 24, 25 and 26 for securing the platform against shell 20 through extension of the arms. Hydraulic force may be used to extend the arms as shown by hydraulic device 27. Rails 28 and 29 are welded or otherwise joined to platform 22 to serve as a track for refractory removal member 30 to travel as various portions of the lining are removed during the course of the process.

As may be seen, the refractory removal member extends away from the platform so -as to be capable of removing the refractory brick linings Hydraulic force applying devices 31 and 32 function to position scraping bit 33 for use in scraping lining 21 from shell 20. It - is, of course, understood by those skilled in the art that refractory removal device could travel by sliding, in an endless tread-type fashion, etc. In a similar vein, the use of hydraulic power is not essential to the practice of the invention as pneumatic power could also be used. Likewise, refractory removal may be accomplished in any convienient form as- well as by scraping or chopping. Remote control means 34 are used to operate refractory removal device 30 from a location outside of the stove interior.

As may be apparent from the previous description, the apparatus is utilized by passing it through a flue in the side of the blast furnace stove. The apparatus is assembled inside of the stove and then hoisted or otherwise raised to a position proximate to where the refractory linings are desired to be removed, The apparatus is then secured in operative position by extending its arms against the stove interior and then remotely operated to cause refractory removal by a scraping or chopping action of the bit. After removal of refractories at the initial location, the apparatus is unsecured and simply repositioned for removal of further refractories.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An apparatus for removing refractory linings from blast furnace stove interiors, comprising a portable platform having extensible and adjustable arm means for securing said platform against a blast furnace stove interior, a refractory removal member supported by and movable along said platform, said refractory removal member extending away from said platform so as to be capable of removing refractory linings from said blast furnace stove interior, and control means located outside of said blast furnace stove interior for controlling movement and operation of said refractory removal device.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising counterweight means supported by and movable along said platform for creating forces to balance forces created by said refractory removal device as it moves along said platform.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in combination with a refractory lined blast furnace stove 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said portable platform is conveniently disassemblable thereby facilitating passing as components through a flue opening in said blast furnace stove and readily reassemblable inside of said stove.

5. A method for removing refractory linings from blast furnace stove interiors, comprising passing a refractory removal device through a flue in the side of a blast furnace stove, raising said device to a position proximate to where refractory linings are to be removed, securing said device in position

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. brick linings must be periodically removed. Replacement involves removal of used linings 20 with use of refractory removal device of the invention which is also shown in this figure. The blast furnace stove comprises metal shell 20 which is lined with refractories 21. Refractory wall 10 separates combustion chamber 11 from refractory checkerwork. Gas is combusted in combustion chamber 11 following its entry through burner located in the lower portion of the chamber. The combusted gas rises in the chamber, passes into dome area 12, and then into the aforementioned refractory checkerwork, and finally exists from the stove and passes into the blast furnace. The portable refractory removal apparatus is shown in operative position with arm means 23 and 24 extended against metal shell 20. The apparatus had previously been inserted into the blast furnace stove and hoisted into position with use of hoist system 14 and then operatively positioned through extension and adjustment of its arms. The removal apparatus basically comprises refractory removal member 30 which travels along rails contained on portable platform 22. Removal member 30 is connected by a cable system countweight means 31 while it moves in a direction opposite to that of removal member 30. Counterweight means 31 is connected to removal member 30 by cable 32 which passes through sheaves 38 and 34. Means 31 and device 30 may travel along rails 35 and 36 which are attached to platform 22. Such arrangement is preferred because of overall enhanced stability and balance of the system. As also illustrated in this figure, as refractory bricks are chipped away, they may be permitted to fall and exit from the stove through chute. Figure 2 illustrates the refractory lining removal appartus of the invention positioned against metal shell 20 of the stove and operatively positioned for removal of refractory brick lining 21. Portable platform 22 has extensible and adjustable arm means 23, 24, 25 and 26 for securing the platform against shell 20 through extension of the arms. Hydraulic force may be used to extend the arms as shown by hydraulic device 27. Rails 28 and 29 are welded or otherwise joined to platform 22 to serve as a track for refractory removal member 30 to travel as various portions of the lining are removed during the course of the process. As may be seen, the refractory removal member extends away from the platform so -as to be capable of removing the refractory brick linings Hydraulic force applying devices 31 and 32 function to position scraping bit 33 for use in scraping lining 21 from shell 20. It - is, of course, understood by those skilled in the art that refractory removal device could travel by sliding, in an endless tread-type fashion, etc. In a similar vein, the use of hydraulic power is not essential to the practice of the invention as pneumatic power could also be used. Likewise, refractory removal may be accomplished in any convienient form as- well as by scraping or chopping. Remote control means 34 are used to operate refractory removal device 30 from a location outside of the stove interior. As may be apparent from the previous description, the apparatus is utilized by passing it through a flue in the side of the blast furnace stove. The apparatus is assembled inside of the stove and then hoisted or otherwise raised to a position proximate to where the refractory linings are desired to be removed, The apparatus is then secured in operative position by extending its arms against the stove interior and then remotely operated to cause refractory removal by a scraping or chopping action of the bit. After removal of refractories at the initial location, the apparatus is unsecured and simply repositioned for removal of further refractories. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. An apparatus for removing refractory linings from blast furnace stove interiors, comprising a portable platform having extensible and adjustable arm means for securing said platform against a blast furnace stove interior, a refractory removal member supported by and movable along said platform, said refractory removal member extending away from said platform so as to be capable of removing refractory linings from said blast furnace stove interior, and control means located outside of said blast furnace stove interior for controlling movement and operation of said refractory removal device.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in combination with a refractory lined blast furnace stove

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said portable platform is conveniently disassemblable thereby facilitating passing as components through a flue opening in said blast furnace stove and readily reassemblable inside of said stove.

against said blast furnace stove interior, and remotely operating said device to remove refractory linings from said blast furnace stove from a location outside of said stove interior.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, which further includes unsecuring said device, positioning said device at a new location, and repeating the steps of securing the device and remotely operating it.

7. A method as claimed in claim 4, which further comprises disassembling said refractory removal device prior to passage through said flue, and reassembling said refractory removal device after said passage.