Development of Lance Clamping Device for Basic Oxygen Furnace

Abstract

Two basic oxygen furnaces (converter # 4 and 5) each of 60T capacity are operative in Steel Melting Shop no. 1 of Rourkela Steel Plant. These converters had been provided with lance clamping system. The clamps were consisting of a set of linkages, which used to be actuated through pneumatic cylinders. These clamps subsequently became non-functional, and converters were being operated without lance clamping device. Unclamped lances used to dangle and vibrate, causing impingement of oxygen jet over the refractory. This resulted in poor lining life. Incorporation of conventional design of lance clamp with moving trolley and guide was not feasible due to space constraint. An innovative design of lance clamp has been developed, in which actuation of jaws is effective through motor, gear box, and lead screws. This design is compact and has been accommodated without any problem in the existing available space. Lance clamping device has been commissioned, and it is in regular operation. The design aspects of the lance clamping system have been dealt with in this paper.