HOT METAL TRANSFER LADLE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE SAME

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the technical field of hot metal smelting, and in particular to a hot metal transfer ladle and a method for operating the same.

BACKGROUND

In metallurgical industry, such as steel smelting, aluminum electrolysis, magnesium electrolysis and alloy production processes, a hot metal transfer device is needed. A ladle which is used as the hot metal transfer device has mature applications in the metallurgical industry. Along with growing increase of the market, process equipments of production enterprises also need to continuously pursue high efficiency and high quality, and novel automatic equipment will inevitably replace traditional equipment.

At present, automation level of ladle is relatively low, and collection and transfer of hot metal usually need participation of human workers. In order to observe a liquid level of the ladle, an observation liquid-level meter is arranged on the outside of the ladle, and the workers observe the liquid level in the liquid-level meter, and manually open or close the feeding valve and the discharging valve, and the precision is not enough and efficiency is relatively low. Meanwhile, the conventional ladle cannot control the internal temperature thereof, and the transfer distance and the transfer time need to be limited in order to avoid solidification of hot metal due to temperature reduction, rendering a relatively low production efficiency. Therefore, the conventional ladle still needs to be improved to meet the production requirement of high quality and high efficiency.

SUMMARY

In view of the above disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention provides a hot metal transfer ladle and a method for operating the same, which realizes accurate quantification of collection and transfer of hot metal and improves automation level of ladle by arranging a first liquid-level meter and a second liquid-level meter. Moreover, by arranging a heating device, the ladle can also be heated in the transfer process, so that the internal temperature of the ladle is ensured to be stable, the transfer distance and the transfer time are prolonged, the production efficiency is increased, and the production requirement of high quality and high efficiency is met.

In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention mainly includes technical solutions as follows:

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a hot metal transfer ladle is provided, wherein the hot metal transfer ladle comprises a first liquid-level meter and a second liquid-level meter, wherein the liquid-level meters have movable electrode probes, and a lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe of the first liquid-level meter corresponds to the highest liquid level in the ladle, and a lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe of the second liquid-level meter corresponds to the lowest liquid level in the ladle, wherein the first liquid-level meter and the second liquid-level meter are in interlocking control with a feeding control valve and a discharging control valve by means of a control device, wherein the first liquid-level meter and the second liquid-level meter are also connected with a power supply device, wherein when the liquid level in the ladle is in contact with the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe of the first liquid-level meter, the first liquid-level meter is powered on, and the feeding control valve is closed, and when the liquid level in the ladle is separated from the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe of the second liquid-level meter, the second liquid-level meter is powered off, and the discharging control valve is closed.

By arranging the first liquid-level meter and second liquid-level meter, an accurate quantification for the collection and transfer of the hot metal is realized. When the liquid level in the ladle body reaches a highest liquid level in the ladle, the liquid level contacts with a lowest liquid level contact position of the first liquid-level meter, and the control device closes the feeding control valve. When the liquid level in the ladle body reaches a lowest liquid level in the ladle, the liquid level contacts with a lowest liquid level contact position of the second liquid-level meter, and the control device closes the discharging control valve. The precision is higher and the efficiency is higher while promoting the automation level of the ladle.

In one embodiment, the hot metal transfer ladle further comprises a heating device, and the heating device is arranged on an outer wall of a ladle body of the ladle.

In one embodiment, the heating device has a heating temperature of 25-1200° C.

By arranging the heating device, the ladle can also be heated in the transfer process, so that the internal temperature of the ladle is ensured to be stable, the transfer distance and the transfer time are prolonged, the production efficiency is increased, and the production requirement of high quality and high efficiency is met.

In one embodiment, the hot metal transfer ladle further comprises a heating sleeve, and the heating sleeve is sleeved on outer walls of a feeding pipe and a discharging pipe.

By arranging the heating sleeve on the outer walls of the feeding pipe and the discharging pipe, the hot metal passing through the feeding pipe and the discharging pipe is kept at a high temperature and is avoided to be cooled or solidified, and the transfer distance is prolonged.

In one embodiment, there are two feeding pipes, which include an overflow feeding pipe and a press-in feeding pipe, and the overflow feeding pipe is used for overflow feeding when the position of the ladle is lower than a material feeding position, and the press-in feeding pipe is used for vacuum feeding when the position of the ladle is higher than the material feeding position.

The ladle can adopt an overflow feeding mode or a vacuum feeding mode, and the two feeding pipes are standby for each other. The overflow or vacuum transfer mode is selected based on different positions of the ladle with respect to material feeding position, and the application range of the ladle is expanded.

In one embodiment, there is a plurality of discharging pipes, and the lowest liquid level contact positions of the plurality of discharging pipes correspond to desired discharging liquid levels, respectively.

By arranging the plurality of discharging pipes and by arranging the lowest liquid level contact positions of the plurality of discharging pipes to correspond to desired discharging liquid levels respectively, the ladle realizes discharging layer by layer, and the hot metal of desired discharging liquid levels can be discharged, and thus it does away with the restriction that the discharging pipe of existing ladles can only start the discharging from the bottom.

In one embodiment, the power supply device includes two 24V independent power supplies, and negative electrodes of the two 24V independent power supplies are connected to a ladle body of the ladle, and positive electrodes of the 24V independent power supplies are connected to the first liquid-level meter and the second liquid-level meter, respectively, wherein a first liquid-level meter circuit is formed when the liquid level in the ladle is in contact with the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe of the first liquid-level meter, and a second liquid-level meter circuit is formed when the liquid level is in contact with the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe of the second liquid-level meter, wherein the first liquid-level meter circuit and the second liquid-level meter circuit are further provided with switches K1 and K2, respectively.

By arranging the first liquid-level meter circuit and the second liquid-level meter circuit, information of the contact or separation between the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe and the liquid level in the ladle is converted into an electric signal indicative of powering on or powering off the circuit, and the electric signal is transmitted to the control device.

In one embodiment, the power supply device includes one 24V independent power supply, and a negative electrode of the 24V independent power supply is connected to a ladle body of the ladle, and a positive electrode of the 24V independent power supply is connected to the first liquid-level meter via the switch K1 and to the second liquid-level meter via the switch K2, respectively;

a first liquid-level meter circuit is formed when the switch K1 is closed and the liquid level in the ladle is in contact with the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe of the first liquid-level meter, and a second liquid-level meter circuit is formed when the switch K2 is closed and the liquid level in the ladle is in contact with the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe of the second liquid-level meter.

By arranging the first liquid-level meter circuit and the second liquid-level meter circuit, information of the contact or separation between the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe and the liquid level in the ladle is converted into an electric signal indicative of powering on or powering off the circuit, and the electric signal is transmitted to the control device. Moreover, only one independent power supply is used, so that the circuit structure is simplified.

In one embodiment, a side wall of the electrode probe is provided with a protection device for isolating the side wall of the electrode probe from contacting with the cooled fusion in the ladle, wherein the protection device is a ceramic cladding or a bellows.

Because the electrode probe is introduced into the ladle body, and hot metal is contained in the ladle body, chloride fusion, which is cooled and solidified, can be generated in the ladle body and adhered to the electrode probe of the liquid-level meters to cause corrosion. By arranging the protection device on the side wall of the electrode probe, the contact area between the side wall of the electrode probe and the cooled fusion in the ladle is reduced and corrosion is reduced.

In one embodiment, the electrode probe is connected to an electric heating device, and the electric heating device is used for heating the electrode probe to prevent the cooled fusion from adhering to a surface of the electrode probe.

By arranging the electric heating device which is connected with the electrode probe, chloride fusion, which is cooled and solidified, is prevented from adhering to the outer wall of the electrode probe, and corrosion is reduced.

In one embodiment, the hot metal transfer ladle further comprises a pressure meter and a negative pressure device, wherein the pressure meter is used for displaying a pressure in the hot metal transfer ladle, and the negative pressure device is used for forming a negative pressure environment in the hot metal transfer ladle, wherein the negative pressure device is configured to control the pressure in the ladle to be in the range of 0.01 MPa-10 MPa.

In one embodiment, the negative pressure device comprises a vacuum pump or an ejector.

In one embodiment, the hot metal transfer ladle further comprises a thermocouple for monitoring a temperature in the hot metal transfer ladle.

In one embodiment, the pressure meter, the negative pressure device and the thermocouple are connected with the control device, so that the control device can obtain information regarding the pressure and the temperature in the hot metal transfer ladle.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for operating a hot metal transfer ladle according to the first aspect of the present invention, the method comprising the steps of:

• • S01: blowing argon into the ladle via a feeding pipe, when the ladle is full with argon, closing the feeding control valve, and setting the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe of the first liquid-level meter to correspond to the highest liquid level in the ladle, and the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe of the second liquid-level meter to correspond to the lowest liquid level in the ladle;
  • S02: connecting one end of the first liquid-level meter with the power supply device, connecting the control device, and start feeding monitoring;
  • S03: opening the feeding control valve, wherein when the liquid level in the ladle body is in contact with the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe of the first liquid-level meter, the first liquid-level meter is powered on and a signal is transmitted to the control device so that the control device closes the feeding control valve;
  • S04: moving the ladle to a discharging position, and connecting the discharging pipe with a receptacle equipment;
  • S05: connecting one end of the second liquid-level meter with the power supply device, connecting the control device to start discharging monitoring, wherein the second liquid-level meter is powered on at this time; and
  • S06: discharging, wherein when the liquid level in the ladle body is separated from the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe of the second liquid-level meter, the second liquid-level meter is powered off and a signal is transmitted to the control device so that the control device closes the discharging control valve.

By means of the method for operating a hot metal transfer ladle, feeding or discharging can be automatically stopped when the liquid level in the ladle reaches a set liquid level, an accurate quantification of hot metal feeding or discharging is achieved, the precision is higher and the efficiency is higher while promoting the automation level of the ladle, and the production requirements of high quality and high efficiency are met.

Beneficial effects of the present invention include the followings.

The present invention provides a hot metal transfer ladle. By arranging the first liquid-level meter and second liquid-level meter, an accurate quantification for the collection and transfer of the hot metal is realized. When the liquid level in the ladle body reaches a highest liquid level in the ladle, the liquid level contacts with a lowest liquid level contact position of the first liquid-level meter, and the control device closes the feeding control valve. When the liquid level in the ladle body reaches a lowest liquid level in the ladle, the liquid level contacts with a lowest liquid level contact position of the second liquid-level meter, and the control device closes the discharging control valve. The precision is higher and the efficiency is higher while promoting the automation level of the ladle.

By arranging the heating device, the ladle can also be heated in the transfer process, so that the internal temperature of the ladle is ensured to be stable, the transfer distance and the transfer time are prolonged, the production efficiency is increased, and the production requirement of high quality and high efficiency is met. By arranging the heating sleeve on the outer walls of the feeding pipe and the discharging pipe, the hot metal passing through the feeding pipe and the discharging pipe is kept at a high temperature and is avoided to be cooled or solidified, and the transfer distance is further prolonged.

The ladle can adopt an overflow feeding mode or a vacuum feeding mode, and the two feeding pipes are standby for each other. The overflow or vacuum transfer mode is selected based on different positions of the ladle with respect to material feeding position, and the application range of the ladle is expanded.

By arranging the plurality of discharging pipes and by arranging the lowest liquid level contact positions of the plurality of discharging pipes to correspond to desired discharging liquid levels respectively, the ladle realizes discharging layer by layer, and the hot metal of desired discharging liquid levels can be discharged, and thus it does away with the restriction that the discharging pipe of existing ladles can only start the discharging from the bottom.

By arranging the protection device on the side wall of the electrode probe, the contact area between the side wall of the electrode probe and the cooled fusion in the ladle is reduced and corrosion is reduced. By arranging the electric heating device connected with the electrode probe, the chloride fusion, which is cooled and solidified, is prevented from adhering to the outer wall of the electrode probe, and corrosion is reduced.

The present invention also provides a method for operating the hot metal transfer ladle. By means of the method for operating the hot metal transfer ladle, feeding or discharging can be automatically stopped when the liquid level in the ladle reaches a set liquid level, an accurate quantification of hot metal feeding or discharging is achieved, and the precision is higher and the efficiency is higher while promoting the automation level of the ladle, and the production requirements of high quality and high efficiency are met.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a first embodiment of a hot metal transfer ladle according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the first embodiment of the hot metal transfer ladle according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a second embodiment of a hot metal transfer ladle according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the second embodiment of the hot metal transfer ladle according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a third embodiment of a hot metal transfer ladle according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the third embodiment of the hot metal transfer ladle according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a liquid-level meter circuit of a fourth embodiment of a hot metal transfer ladle according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a liquid-level meter circuit of a fifth embodiment of a hot metal transfer ladle according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a ceramic-cladded liquid-level meter of a sixth embodiment of a hot metal transfer ladle according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a bellows type liquid-level meter of a seventh embodiment of a hot metal transfer ladle according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a dual-flange type liquid-level meter of an eighth embodiment of a hot metal transfer ladle according to the present invention.

In the drawings: 1, ladle body; 2, ladle cover; 3, sealing washer; 4, heating device; 5, skin; 6, press-in feeding pipe; 7, overflow feeding pipe; 8, discharging pipe; 9, thermocouple; 101, feeding control valve; 102, discharging control valve; 11, ejector; 12, vacuum pump; 13, pressure meter; 14, first liquid-level meter; 15, second liquid-level meter; 16, liquid level indicator; 17, control device; 18, mobile lifting trolley; 19, electrode probe; 20, flange; 21, ceramic cladding; 22, bellows; 23, upper flange; 24, lower flange; 25, sealing ring; 26, electric heating device; 27, heating sleeve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For better explanation and understanding of the present invention, the present application will now be illustrated in detail from the following detailed descriptions when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that, the present invention may be embodied in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present invention can be thoroughly and completely understood, and the scope of the present invention can be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art.

As shown in FIGS. 1-11, a hot metal transfer ladle is provided according to the first aspect of the present invention. The hot metal transfer ladle comprises a first liquid-level meter 14 and a second liquid-level meter 15, wherein the liquid-level meters have movable electrode probes 19. A lowest liquid surface contact position of the electrode probe 19 of the first liquid-level meter 14 corresponds to a highest liquid level in the ladle, and a lowest liquid surface contact position of the electrode probe 19 of the second liquid-level meter 15 corresponds to a lowest liquid level in the ladle. The first liquid-level meter 14 and the second liquid-level meter 15 are in interlocking control with a feeding control valve 101 and a discharging control valve 102 by means of a control device 17. Moreover, the first liquid-level meter 14 and the second liquid-level meter 15 are connected with a power supply device. When the liquid level in the ladle is in contact with the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe 19 of the first liquid-level meter 14, the first liquid-level meter 14 is powered on, and the feeding control valve 101 is closed. When the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe 19 of the second liquid-level meter 15 is separated from the liquid level in the ladle, the second liquid-level meter 15 is powered off, and the discharging control valve 102 is closed.

By arranging the first liquid-level meter 14 and second liquid-level meter 15, an accurate quantification for the collection and transfer of the hot metal is realized. When the liquid level in the ladle body 1 reaches the highest liquid level in the ladle, the liquid level contacts with the lowest liquid level contact position of the first liquid-level meter 14, and the control device 17 closes the feeding control valve 101. When the liquid level in the ladle body 1 reaches the lowest liquid level in the ladle, the liquid level contacts with the lowest liquid level contact position of the second liquid-level meter 15, and the control device 17 closes the discharging control valve 102. Therefore, the precision is higher and the efficiency is higher while promoting the automation level of the ladle.

The control device 17 is equipped with a PLC controller, and the PLC controller implements interlocking control. The specific implementation manners adopted by the PLC controller according to the above description are existing technologies, and will not be described in detail here.

The heating device 4 on the outer wall of the ladle body 1 is also wrapped with a skin 5 on an outer side thereof, so as to ensure that the ladle is safe during the power utilization.

By arranging the first liquid-level meter 14 and second liquid-level meter 15, an accurate quantification for the collection and transfer of the hot metal is realized. When the liquid level in the ladle body 1 reaches the highest liquid level in the ladle, the liquid level contacts with the lowest liquid level contact position of the first liquid-level meter 14, and the control device 17 closes the feeding control valve 101. When the liquid level in the ladle body 1 reaches the lowest liquid level in the ladle, the liquid level contacts with the lowest liquid level contact position of the second liquid-level meter 15, and the control device 17 closes the discharging control valve 102. Therefore, the precision is higher and the efficiency is higher while promoting the automation level of the ladle.

In one embodiment, the hot metal transfer ladle according to the present invention further comprises a heating device 4, wherein the heating device 4 is arranged on an outer wall of the ladle body 1 of the ladle. The heating temperature is 25-1200° C.

By arranging the heating device 4, the ladle can also be heated in the transfer process, so as to ensure that the internal temperature of the ladle is stable, and the transfer distance and the transfer time are prolonged, the production efficiency is increased, and the production requirement of high quality and high efficiency is met.

In one embodiment, the hot metal transfer ladle according to the present invention further comprises a heating sleeve 27, wherein the heating sleeve 27 is sleeved on or arranged around the outer walls of the feeding pipe and the discharging pipe 8.

By arranging the heating sleeve 27 on the outer walls of the feeding pipe and the discharging pipe 8, the hot metal passing through the feeding pipe and the discharging pipe 8 is kept at a high temperature and is avoided to be cooled or solidified, and the transfer distance is prolonged.

In one embodiment, there are two feeding pipes, i.e., an overflow feeding pipe 7 and a press-in feeding pipe 6, wherein the overflow feeding pipe 7 is used for overflow feeding when the position of the ladle is lower than the material feeding position, and the press-in feeding pipe 6 is used for vacuum feeding when the position of the ladle is higher than the material feeding position.

The ladle can adopt an overflow feeding mode or a vacuum feeding mode, and the two feeding pipes are standby for each other, and an overflow or vacuum transfer mode is selected based on different positions of the ladle with respect to the material feeding position, and the application range of the ladle is expanded. The specific structures of the overflow feeding pipe 7 and the press-in feeding pipe 6 and connection of the collecting ends are well known in the art.

In one embodiment, there is a plurality of discharging pipes 8. The lowest liquid level contact positions of the plurality of discharging pipes 8 correspond to desired discharging liquid levels, respectively.

By arranging the plurality of discharging pipes 8 and by arranging the lowest liquid level contact positions of the plurality of discharging pipes 8 to correspond to desired discharging liquid levels, respectively, the ladle realizes discharging layer by layer, and the hot metal of desired discharging liquid levels can be discharged, and thus it does away with the restriction that the discharging pipe 8 of the ladle in the art can only start the discharging from the bottom.

Referring to FIG. 7, in one embodiment, the power supply device includes two 24V independent power supplies. Negative electrodes of the two 24V independent power supplies are connected to the ladle body 1 of the ladle, and positive electrodes of the 24V independent power supplies are connected to the first liquid-level meter 14 and the second liquid-level meter 15, respectively. A first liquid-level meter 14 circuit is formed when the liquid level in the ladle is in contact with the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe 19 of the first liquid-level meter 14, and a second liquid-level meter 15 circuit is formed when the liquid level is in contact with the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe 19 of the second liquid-level meter 15. The first liquid-level meter circuit and the second liquid-level meter circuit are further provided with switches K1 and K2, respectively.

By arranging the first liquid-level meter circuit and the second liquid-level meter circuit, information of the contact or separation between the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe 19 and the liquid level in the ladle is converted into an electric signal indicative of powering on or powering off the circuit, and the electric signal is transmitted to the control device 17.

Referring to FIG. 8, in one embodiment, the power supply device includes one 24V independent power supply. A negative electrode of the 24V independent power supply is connected to the ladle body 1 of the ladle, and a positive electrode of the 24V independent power supply is connected to the first liquid-level meter 14 via a switch K1 and to the second liquid-level meter 15 via a switch K2, respectively.

The first liquid-level meter 14 circuit is formed when K1 is closed and the liquid level in the ladle is in contact with the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe 19 of the first liquid-level meter 14, and the second liquid-level meter circuit is formed when K2 is closed and the liquid level in the ladle is in contact with the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe 19 of the second liquid-level meter 15.

By arranging the first liquid-level meter circuit and the second liquid-level meter circuit, information of the contact or separation between the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe 19 and the liquid level in the ladle is converted into an electric signal indicative of powering on or powering off the circuit, and the electric signal is transmitted to the control device 17. Moreover, only one independent power supply is used, so that the circuit structure is simplified.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, in one embodiment, the side wall of the electrode probe 19 is provided with a protection device for isolating the side wall of the electrode probe 19 from contacting with the cooled fusion in the ladle; the protection device is a ceramic cladding 21 (FIG. 9) or a bellows 22 (FIG. 10).

Because the electrode probe 19 is introduced into the ladle body 1, and hot metal is contained in the ladle body 1, chloride fusion, which is cooled and solidified, can be generated in the ladle body 1 and adhered to the electrode probe 19 of the liquid-level meters to cause corrosion. By arranging the protection device on the side wall of the electrode probe 19, the contact area between the side wall of the electrode probe 19 and the cooled fusion in the ladle is reduced and corrosion is reduced.

Referring to FIG. 11, in one embodiment, the electrode probe 19 is connected to an electric heating device 26, and the electric heating device 26 is used for heating the electrode probe 19 to prevent the cooled fusion from adhering to the surface of the electrode probe 19.

By arranging the electric heating device 26 which is connected with the electrode probe 19, chloride fusion, which is cooled and solidified, is prevented from adhering to the outer wall of the electrode probe 19, and corrosion is reduced.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, in one embodiment, the hot metal transfer ladle according to the present invention further comprises a pressure meter 13 and a negative pressure device, wherein the pressure meter 13 is used for displaying the pressure in the hot metal transfer ladle, and the negative pressure device is used for forming a negative pressure environment in the hot metal transfer ladle. By arranging the pressure meter 13 and the negative pressure device, the pressure in the ladle is monitored and controlled. The negative pressure device is configured to control the pressure in the ladle to be in the range of 0.01 MPa-10 MPa. The negative pressure device comprises a vacuum pump 12 (FIGS. 3 and 5) or an ejector 11 (FIG. 1) or the like.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, in one embodiment, the hot metal transfer ladle according to the present invention further comprises a thermocouple 9, and the thermocouple 9 is used to monitor the temperature in the ladle.

The pressure meter 13, the negative pressure device and the thermocouple 9 are also connected with the control device 17, so that the control device 17 can obtain information regarding the pressure and the temperature in the ladle.

In one embodiment, the feeding pipes 6, 7, the discharging pipe 8 and the liquid-level meters 14, 15 are connected in a bolted manner to a ladle cover 2 by means of flanges 20 (FIGS. 9-11) to facilitate repair of the piping in the event of a failure.

In one embodiment, sealing washer(s) 3 is arranged between the ladle body 1 and the ladle cover 2, and the connection area between the ladle cover 2 and the ladle body 1 is hermetically connected. By arranging sealing washer(s) 3, sealing effect of the ladle at high temperature is ensured. The pressure in the ladle body 1 is stable due to the sealing connection.

In one embodiment, the ladle is placed on a mobile lifting trolley 18 to facilitate the transfer in a convenient and fast way.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for operating a hot metal transfer ladle according to the first aspect of the present invention, the method comprising the steps of:

• • S01: blowing argon into the ladle via a feeding pipe, when the ladle is full with argon, closing the feeding control valve 101, and setting the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe 19 of the first liquid-level meter 14 to correspond to the highest liquid level in the ladle, and the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe 19 of the second liquid-level meter 15 to correspond to the lowest liquid level in the ladle;
  • S02: connecting one end of the first liquid-level meter 14 with the power supply device, connecting the control device 17, and start feeding monitoring;
  • S03: opening the feeding control valve 101, wherein when the liquid level in the ladle body 1 is in contact with the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe 19 of the first liquid-level meter 14, the first liquid-level meter 14 is powered on and a signal is transmitted to the control device 17 so that the control device 17 closes the feeding control valve 101;
  • S04: moving the ladle to a discharging position, and connecting the discharging pipe 8 with a receptacle equipment;
  • S05: connecting one end of the second liquid-level meter 15 with the power supply device, connecting the control device 17 to start discharging monitoring, wherein the second liquid-level meter 15 is powered on at this time; and
  • S06: discharging, wherein when the liquid level in the ladle body 1 is separated from the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe 19 of the second liquid-level meter 15, the second liquid-level meter 15 is powered off and a signal is transmitted to the control device 17 so that the control device 17 closes the discharging control valve 102.

By means of the method for operating a hot metal transfer ladle, feeding or discharging can be automatically stopped when the liquid level in the ladle reaches a set liquid level, an accurate quantification of hot metal feeding or discharging is achieved, the precision is higher and the efficiency is higher while promoting the automation level of the ladle, and the production requirements of high quality and high efficiency are met.

First Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the hot metal transfer ladle of the first embodiment includes a ladle body 1, a ladle cover 2, a sealing washer 3, a heating device 4, a skin 5, a press-in feeding pipe 6, an overflow feeding pipe 7, a transfer pipe 8, a thermocouple 9, a feeding control valve 101, a discharging control valve 102, a negative pressure device, a pressure meter 13, a first liquid-level meter 14, a second liquid-level meter 15, a control device 17, a mobile lifting trolley 18, an electrode probe 19, flanges 20 and a heating sleeve 27.

The first liquid-level meter 14 and the second liquid-level meter 15 are each provided with a movable electrode probe 19. The lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe 19 of the first liquid-level meter 14 corresponds to the highest liquid level in the ladle, and the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe 19 of the second liquid-level meter 15 corresponds to the lowest liquid level in the ladle. The first liquid-level meter 14 and the second liquid-level meter 15 are in interlocking control with the feeding control valve 101 and the discharging control valve 102 by means of the control device 17. The first liquid-level meter 14 and the second liquid-level meter 15 are also connected with the power supply device. When the liquid level in the ladle is in contact with the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe 19 of the first liquid-level meter 14, the first liquid-level meter 14 is powered on, and the feeding control valve 101 is closed. When the liquid level in the ladle is separated from the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe 19 of the second liquid-level meter 15, the second liquid-level meter 15 is powered off, and the discharging control valve 102 is closed. The control device 17 is equipped with a PLC controller, and the PLC controller implements interlocking control. The highest liquid level is set at 1500 kg (volume is adjustable) and the lowest liquid level is set at 500 kg (volume is adjustable).

The heating device 4 is arranged on the outer wall of the ladle body 1 of the ladle. The heating temperature is 25-1200° C. The outer side of the heating device 4 is wrapped with the skin 5. The heating sleeve 27 is sleeved on the outer walls of the feeding pipe and the discharging pipe 8.

The pressure meter 13 is used for displaying the pressure in the ladle, and the negative pressure device is used for forming a negative pressure environment in the ladle. By arranging the pressure meter 13 and the negative pressure device, the pressure in the ladle is monitored and controlled. The working pressure of the ladle is controlled within the range of 0.01 MPa-10 MPa. The negative pressure device is an ejector 11.

The thermocouple 9 is used for monitoring the temperature in the ladle.

The pressure meter 13, the negative pressure device and the thermocouple 9 are also connected with the control device 17, so that the control device 17 can obtain information regarding the pressure and the temperature in the ladle.

The feeding pipe, the discharging pipe 8 and the liquid-level meters are connected in a bolted manner to the ladle cover 2 by means of flanges to facilitate repair of the piping in the event of a failure.

In one embodiment, sealing washer(s) 3 is arranged between the ladle body 1 and the ladle cover 2, and the connection area between the ladle cover and the ladle body is hermetically connected. By arranging sealing washer(s) 3, sealing effect of the ladle at high temperature is ensured. The pressure in the ladle body 1 is stable due to the sealing connection.

In one embodiment, the ladle is placed on the mobile lifting trolley 18 to facilitate the transfer in a convenient and fast way.

Second Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the second embodiment is basically identical to the hot metal transfer ladle as described in the first embodiment, except that the vacuum pump 12 is used as the negative pressure device.

Third Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the third embodiment is basically identical to the hot metal transfer ladle described in the second embodiment, except that there are two discharging pipes 8. The lowest liquid level contact positions of the two discharging pipes 8 correspond to desired discharge liquid levels, respectively. By arranging two discharging pipes 8 and by arranging the lowest liquid level contact positions of the two discharging pipes 8 to correspond to desired discharging liquid levels, respectively, the ladle realizes discharging layer by layer, and the hot metal of desired discharging liquid levels can be discharged, and thus it does away with the restriction that the discharging pipe 8 of the ladle in the art can only start the discharging from the bottom.

Fourth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 7, this embodiment provides a connection mode for the liquid-level meters of the hot metal transfer ladle. The hot metal transfer ladle is provided with two 24V independent power supplies, wherein the negative electrodes of the two 24V independent power supplies are connected with the ladle body 1 of the ladle, and the positive electrodes of the 24V independent power supplies are connected with the first liquid-level meter 14 and the second liquid-level meter 15, respectively. A first liquid-level meter circuit is formed when the liquid level in the ladle is in contact with the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe 19 of the first liquid-level meter 14, and a second liquid-level meter circuit is formed when the liquid level is in contact with the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe 19 of the second liquid-level meter 15. The first liquid-level meter circuit and the second liquid-level meter circuit are further provided with switches K1 and K2, respectively, and the liquid-level meters are provided with liquid level indicators 16.

By arranging the first liquid-level meter circuit and the second liquid-level meter circuit, information of the contact or separation between the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe 19 and the liquid level in the ladle is converted into an electric signal indicative of powering on or powering off the circuit, and the electric signal is transmitted to the control device 17. The first liquid-level meter realizes the opening and closing of the detection state by means of the switch K1, and the second liquid-level meter realizes the opening and closing of the detection state by means of the switch K2.

The switch K1 is closed, feeding monitoring of the first liquid-level meter 14 is started, and when the liquid level in the ladle is in contact with the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe 19 of the first liquid-level meter 14, the first liquid-level meter 14 is powered on, and when the first liquid-level meter 14 is powered on, a signal is transmitted to the control device 17, and the control device 17 closes the feeding control valve.

The switch K2 is closed, transfer monitoring of the second liquid-level meter 15 is started, and the second liquid-level meter 15 is powered on at this time; when the liquid level in the ladle is separated from the lowest liquid level contact position of the electrode probe 19 of the second liquid-level meter 15, the second liquid-level meter 15 is powered off, and a signal is transmitted to the control device 17, and the control device 17 closes the discharging control valve 102.

Fifth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 8, this embodiment provides a connection mode for the liquid-level metering system of the hot metal transfer ladle, and this embodiment is basically identical to that in the fourth embodiment, except that only one 24V independent power supply is provided. A negative electrode of the 24V independent power supply is connected to the ladle body 1 of the ladle, and a positive electrode of the 24V independent power supply is connected to the first liquid-level meter 14 via the switch K1 and to the second liquid-level meter 15 via the switch K2, respectively. Because only one independent power supply is used, the circuit structure is simplified.

Sixth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 9, this embodiment provides a liquid-level meter for a hot metal transfer ladle, liquid-level meter being a ceramic-cladded liquid-level meter. The liquid-level meter is connected with the ladle cover 2 by means of a flange 20. A protection device is arranged on the side wall of an electrode probe 19 of the liquid-level meter. The protection device is a ceramic cladding 21. Between the electrode probe 19 and the flange 20, the electrode probe 19 is fixed on the flange 20 by means of melting welding, meanwhile a ceramic layer is cladded on the portion of the electrode probe 19 which is below the flange 20 via brazing to form the ceramic cladding 21, thereby conduction accuracy of the probe point is ensured. By arranging the ceramic cladding 21 on the side wall of the electrode probe 19, the contact area between the side wall of the electrode probe 19 and the cooled fusion in the ladle is reduced, and corrosion is reduced. Furthermore, the ceramic-cladded liquid-level meter is connected to the ladle cover 2 via the flange 20 in a bolt connection.

Seventh Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 10, this embodiment provides a liquid-level meter of a hot metal transfer ladle, liquid-level meter being a bellows type liquid-level meter. The bellows type liquid-level meter realizes up-and-down movement of the liquid-level meter via a bellows 22, and the working position of the liquid-level meter is set according to the requirement for operation. The liquid-level meter is connected with the ladle cover 2 by means of a flange 20, and a protection device is arranged on the side wall of an electrode probe 19 of the liquid-level meter, and the protection device is the bellows 22. An electrode probe hole is formed in the middle of the flange 20, so that it is convenient to move the electrode probe 19 up and down. The bellows 22 is arranged on the portion of the electrode probe 19 which is below the flange 20, and the bellows 22 is sealingly connected with the flange 20 via welding, and the lower end of the bellows 22 is sealingly connected with the electrode probe 19 via welding. By arranging the bellows 22 on the side wall of the electrode probe 19, the contact area between the side wall of the electrode probe 19 and the cooled fusion in the ladle is reduced, and corrosion is reduced. Furthermore, the bellows type liquid-level meter is connected to the ladle cover 2 via the flange 20 in a bolt connection.

Eighth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 11, this embodiment provides a liquid-level meter for a hot metal transfer ladle, the liquid-level meter being a dual-flange type liquid-level meter. The dual-flange type liquid-level meter has a structure with two flanges and includes an electric heater unit 26, an upper flange 23, a lower flange 24 and a flange 20 which is connected to the ladle cover 2. Sealing washers 25 are arranged on the side wall of the electrode probe 19 between the upper flange 23 and the lower flange 24 and between the ladle cover 2 and the flange 20 which is connected to the ladle cover 2, respectively. The electrode probe 19 passes through the two sealing washers 25, thereby ensuring sealing effect and meanwhile ensuring that the position of the electrode probe 19 can be set in a flexible way as required. Also, an electric heating device 26 is arranged between the lower flange 24 and the flange 20 which is connected to the ladle cover 2, and the electrode probe 19 is connected with the electric heating device 26. The electric heating device 26 is used for heating the electrode probe 19 to prevent cooled fusion from adhering to the surface of the electrode probe 19, so that chloride fusion, which is cooled and solidified, is prevented from adhering to the outer wall of the electrode probe 19, and it is ensured that the electrode probe 19 is not influenced during operation by temperature or by medium solidification, and corrosion is reduced. Furthermore, the dual-flange type liquid-level meter is connected to the ladle cover 2 via the flange 20 in a bolt connection.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it should be understood that, the above embodiments are exemplary and not to be construed as limiting the present invention, and that, those skilled in the art may make modifications, changes, substitutions and alterations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.