Method for injecting feed streams into a molten bath

• US 5,858,059 A
• Filed: 03/24/1997
• Issued: 01/12/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Molten Metal Technology Incorporated, Quantum Catalytics LLC
• Original Assignee: Molten Metal Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: White, Arthur, Abramovich, Shaul, Mathiesen, Mihkel
• Primary Examiner(s): Kastler, Scott
• Application Number:
  US08/823,344
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 266/47, 266/217, 266/219, 266/265, 266/268, 75/556, 75/557
• US Class Current: 75/557
• CPC Class Codes: A62D 2203/10 Apparatus specially adapted for treating harmful chemical agents; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C21C 2005/4666 for charging with organic contaminated scrap
• CPC Class Codes: C21C 5/34 Blowing through the bath C21C5/35 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C21C 5/48 Bottoms or tuyéres of converters
• CPC Class Codes: C21C 5/56 Manufacture of steel by other methods making liquid steel by direct processes C21B13/00 ; C21C5/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 9/05 Refining by treating with gases, e.g. gas flushing also refining by means of a material generating gas in situ
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 17/008 cleaning gases
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 2003/162 the fluid being an oxidant or a fuel
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 2003/164 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 2003/166 the fluid being a treatment gas
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 2099/0051 Burning waste as a fuel
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 3/1518 Tapholes
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 3/16 Introducing a fluid jet or current into the charge porous elements for gas flushing of molten metals B22D1/005
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 3/18 Charging particulate material using a fluid carrier
• CPC Class Codes: F27M 2001/02 Charges containing ferrous elements
• CPC Class Codes: F27M 2001/05 Waste materials, refuse
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 10/20 Recycling

Abstract

First and second feed streams are injected into a molten bath, thereby creating first and second jets. The first and second jets combine to form a substantially planar, or fan jet, region within the molten bath. The first and second feed streams can include a variety of materials, such as oxidant, reducing agents, or waste materials, such as organic waste. In addition, the feed streams can include distinct reactants that are combined in the fan jet region for reaction with each other or with one or more components of the molten bath.

Claims

1. A method for injecting feed streams into a molten bath, comprising the steps of:

a) injecting a first feed stream through a first conduit into the molten bath, creating a first jet; and

b) injecting a second feed stream through a second conduit into the molten bath, creating a second jet, said second conduit being positioned to cause said first and second jets to combine to form a fan jet region within said molten bath.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said feed streams are directed into the molten bath at a relative angle in a range of between about 60 degrees and about 120 degrees.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said feed streams are directed into the molten bath at a relative angle of about 90 degrees.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the feed streams are directed into the molten bath through conduits that are at a distance in a range of between about 1 and about 10 mm from one another at the molten bath.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the feed streams are directed into the molten bath through conduits having internal diameters that are in a range of between about between about 1 and about 50 mm at the molten bath.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the feed streams are directed into the molten bath through conduits having internal diameters that are in a range of between about 6 and about 25 mm at the molten bath.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the velocities of the first and second jets at their points of injection into the molten bath are in a range of between about 0.4 Mach and about 2.0 Mach.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second jets form a plane that is substantially perpendicular to a horizontal cross plane.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second jets form a plane that is at an angle that is in a range of between about 30 degrees and about 90 degrees to a vertical plane.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the first and second jets form a plane that is at an angle that is in a range of between about 45 degrees and about 90 degrees to a vertical plane.

11. The method of claim 1 further including the steps of directing additional feed streams in interfering relation to each other to thereby form at least one additional fan jet region.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the fan jet regions are at about the same elevation.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the feed streams are directed through conduits that are at least about 200 mm below an upper surface of the molten bath.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the feed streams are directed through conduits that are at least about 500 mm below an upper surface of the molten bath.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one feed stream includes a waste material.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one feed stream includes an oxidant.