Furnace Tapping
HPE has a range of furnace taphole equipment which offers low cost, low maintenace and safe servicing in submerged arc furnaces, specifically for the ferroalloy production industry. HPE’s Mudgun, Drill and Poker systems are driven by an environmentally friendly and fire safe hydraulic system which is operated on additive free potable water. Typically, a complete taphole service system consists of a Clay Pump called a Mudgun used for closing of a taphole, a Taphole Drill which drills the taphole to near through the wall, and if desired, a Poker to break through to start the tapping.
Mudgun
Specifications
| Description | Unit |
|---|---|
| Drill type | S36 Seco air drill |
| Clay capacity | 70 or 150 ℓ |
| Mudgun power source – hydropower | 180 bar |
Features
- Two types of Mudguns are offered: a high volume low pressure unit with a 154 litre capacity and a low volume high pressure unit with a 70 litre capacity
- Both Mudguns use the same hydraulic drive and control which incorporates an essential loading door safety lockout to prevent clay piston movement when the door is open
- Loading doors are large to enable the use of economically sized pre-packed taphole material or for the easy loading of loose bulk materials
- Both types are fully water cooled right to the tip to prevent heat damage and baking of the taphole fill materials in the barrel nozzle
- Clay pressure in the high pressure gun is 56 bar and in the low pressure gun 28 bar
- The robust design tolerates metal splatter and heat radiation
- Maintenance is low and short disposable end pieces reduce taphole damage costs
Taphole Drill
The Taphole Drill is a high powered pneumatic drill which is capable of drilling 100mm holes at 5 bar air pressure
Taphole Poker
- The Taphole Poker is used to break the last bit of clay when the hole is drilled to depth, clears the hole during tapping and will displace any blockage at the hole entrance
- The Poker delivers high impact at high speed and then retracts fast to minimise heating of the rod
- A unique retract reverse impact mechanism will dislodge the rod should it become stuck
Taphole System Installation
- As no two furnace installations are the same, HPE Mudgun manipulators and support systems are designed to suit each particular furnace and structural design
- Systems can be mounted on rails around the furnace, on a lift link system or on a single pedestal
- Where necessary, beams and support structures are fully water cooled to prevent heat damage under all conditions
