The Angle of Blast Furnace Nozzle to Set Hole Axis and its Effect on Smelting
Blast furnace is a cylinder-shaped furnace mainly user for smelting operations. It is used to melt different types of metal into a predictable uniformly melted slag by introducing air and fuel through set holes in the body of the furnace. To maintain maximum efficiency during the smelting process, particular attention must be paid to the correct positioning of the nozzle through which the air and fuel is injected. This injects oxygen-generating volumes of air and fuel into the furnace, and if the angle at which the nozzle is pointing is wrong, the amount of air and fuel entering the furnace will not be optimized, leading to lower production, higher costs, and an overall inefficient smelting process.
The angle of the blast furnace nozzle to the set hole axis is an important parameter for optimizing the smelting process. It is important to understand that the injector nozzles are not positioned randomly in the furnace, but in an “optimal” angle to the refractory holes. The “optimal” angle is the one that maximizes the amount of air and fuel entering the furnace, with minimal pressure losses. This nozzle angle and its location greatly affect the mixture of air and fuel that enters the furnace and is ultimately responsible for the heat produced in the furnace.
If the nozzle angle is incorrect, the fuel-air combustion process in the furnace can be compromised, leading to decreased production and increased costs. For example, an improperly angled nozzle may cause the air-fuel mixture to be forced to pass through narrow air gates, which can partially block oxygen from entering the furnace, reducing the amount of heat release and decreasing the production rate. Similarly, if the nozzle angle is too sharp, it can allow the fuel and air to “flow over” the set hole, meaning the fuel and air are completely blocked from entering the furnace. In addition to reduced production, incorrect nozzle angle can also result in higher operating costs, as the furnace is operated at sub-optimal efficiency and pressure losses are encountered due to blockages.
The inclusion of mechanisms to ensure the accuracy of the nozzle angle to the set hole axis is a critical component in the smelting process. This includes the use of adjustable sections or mounting heights for the nozzle, along with the use of deflectors, to maintain the optimal injection angle for the furnace nozzles. In some instances, the nozzle may need to be adjusted periodically to ensure that it still maintains the correct angle.
In conclusion, correct positioning of the nozzle to the set hole axis is essential to maintain efficiency during the smelting process. The nozzle angle must be maintained in order to ensure the optimum fuel-air ratio entering the furnace, thus preventing any production losses or costly operation downtime. By understanding the effects of proper nozzle angle, smelting operations can improve their overall efficiency and output.
