Function and Operation Process of Ladle Refining Furnace

Function and Operation Process of Ladle Refining Furnace

Ladle refining furnace refers to equipment that combines the heating and refining functions of a steelmaking furnace. It is an important metallurgical equipment used for refining the molten steel in primary furnaces (electric arc furnaces, open hearth furnaces, converters), and can regulate the temperature of the molten steel, process buffering, and meet the requirements of continuous casting and rolling. The ladle furnace is one of the primary equipment for refining outside the furnace.

Functions of Ladle Refining Furnace:

1. Raise the temperature of molten steel and provide insulation function. The steel liquid is heated by electric arc to obtain new heat energy, which not only allows for the addition of alloys and adjustment of composition during ladle refining, but also enables the addition of slag materials, facilitating deep desulfurization and deoxidation of the steel liquid. And the required pouring temperature of the molten steel for continuous casting is guaranteed, which is conducive to the improvement of the quality of the dry cast billet.

2. Argon stirring function. Argon gas is blown into the molten steel through breathable bricks installed at the bottom of the ladle, providing a certain stirring function to the molten steel.

3. Vacuum degassing function. After being lifted into the vacuum tank through the ladle, a steam jet pump is used for vacuum degassing, and argon gas is blown into the bottom of the ladle to stir the steel liquid. This can remove the hydrogen and nitrogen content in the steel liquid, and further reduce the oxygen and sulfur content, achieving high purity of the steel liquid and superior performance.

The use of ladle refining furnaces can at least increase the following benefits for the entire enterprise: accelerating production pace and driving the entire metallurgical production power. Application areas: Ladle refining furnaces are widely used in industrial, steel, metallurgical and other operations.

What is the Operating Process of the  Ladle Refining Furnace?

1. Before starting the homework, check whether the interlocking protection device and travel switch of the steel ladle are safe and reliable.

2. Check the vacuum system, blowing oxygen, blowing hydrogen, insulation, heating, feeding and other mechanical parts. Only after confirming their safety and reliability can the vehicle be driven.

3. Check if the spoon and mold remain monotonous.

4. Check if the workstation equipment used is functional.

5. Contact the power supply unit and vacuum control room according to the rules.

It is necessary to ring the bell or turn on other safety signals before driving.

7. Perform high-voltage power transmission and vacuum degassing according to the program.

8. It is necessary to check the trajectory and remove obstacles at any time when starting the steel ladle.

9. Block passing under high-voltage lines after power transmission.

When connecting or unloading pressure pipeline joints, it is necessary to close the valve first before operation.

11. When using oxygen, block the hand from holding it in front of the card head and block the operation with oily gloves.

After sampling, the remaining molten steel should be poured into a monotonic area.

When removing the vacuum, all personnel are not allowed to approach the air supply pipe opening.

14. For inspection and repair, when it is necessary to climb onto the heating bridge for operation, it is necessary to remove the high-voltage key, block the high-voltage power supply, and have the operator bring their own key.

When changing electrodes, a dedicated person should be assigned to command. The lifting ring and hook should be connected with a steel wire rope, and the hook safety should be closed to prevent the three phases from lifting and replacing together.

16. No objects shall be piled up on the furnace cover or bridge. When working on the bridge, objects shall be blocked from being thrown up or down.