New furnace electrode-clamping
device offers improved process control
BATEMAN's new electrode-clamping device for furnace installations
offers the ferroalloy industry significant benefits, including no
lubrication required after installation and minimal maintenance; low
operator involvement; minimal wear on moving parts and much faster
slipping rates for better process control, compared to the previous
electro-mechanical drive units. An order for the new device has already
been received from an international client.
The electrode-clamping device can be installed on the full range
of AC-and DC-furnace installations (including closed, semi-closed
and open, submerged-arc furnaces) and can be designed for any size
electrode. They are easy to assemble and disassemble and can be retrofitted
to existing installations.
The device is compact with a lightweight construction for ease of
handling, and is easy to access for adjustment purposes. Its robust
and trouble-free design features a fail-safe, spring clamping force
that is distributed equally over the contact area of the electrode
casing thus reducing wear. The opening of the unit is driven by a
small hydraulic cylinder that is simple to maintain, and preloading
of the force string is easily set by means of a hydraulic bolt-tensioning
system. The tensioning forces are continuously monitored by means
of two load cells, one on each force string. This online clamping
force readout allows the furnace operator to have a direct, online
load reading in the control room. An alarm is raised in the event
of a deviation from the norm and further slipping of the electrode
will be stopped or prevented if the clamping forces fall below the
limits.
The device, which was designed and developed in-house by BATEMAN
engineers, has undergone a test campaign of 300 000 cycles, representing
an in situ operation of more than 20 years (based on 35 slips per
24 h period).
BATEMAN's AC- and DC-smelting know-how is well-proven, having been
installed on some of the latest and largest ferroalloy plants worldwide.
At the core of this expertise is a focus on innovative equipment and
the enhancement of key technologies to sustain even the most severe
operating conditions and to ensure that production costs are at the
lower end of the worldÕs industry standards.
BATEMAN designs and supplies complete AC- and DC-furnace plants to
process ferroalloys and platinum-group metals. Besides greenfield
operations, BATEMAN will also increase the output of existing smelters,
improve their efficiency and reduce the cost per ton of product produced.
For further information, please call Jurgens van Tonder, General
Manager, AC Furnaces, on +27-11-899-2363 or email acfurnaces@batemanengineering.com.
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Copyright BATEMAN 2004
