The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 05, 2001
Filed:
Jul. 26, 1999
John D. Lynn, Center Valley, PA (US);
Colvin W. Smith, Catonsville, MD (US);
Bethlehem Steel Corporation, , DE (US);
Abstract
A method is provided for improving the efficiency of a basic oxygen furnace operation and/or regulating its rate of molten iron consumption to accommodate interruptions in downstream production. The method comprises the steps of combining a wet scrubber sludge with hot slag to provide a slag/sludge mixture, commencing a steelmaking operation of the basic oxygen furnace (BOF), and introducing the slag/sludge mixture into the BOF during the steelmaking operation so that the BOF produces a desired quantity and quality of steel in a manner that is more efficient than without the slag/sludge mixture. Also provided is a system for improving the efficiency of a BOF operation. The system comprises a mixer and an introduction mechanism. The mixer is connected to a source of wet scrubber sludge and a source of hot slag. The mixer is adapted to combine the wet scrubber sludge with the hot slag to provide a slag/sludge mixture. The introduction mechanism is adapted to transport the slag/sludge mixture from the mixer to a BOF and is adapted to introduce the slag/sludge mixture into the BOF during a steelmaking operation of the BOF. The mixer and introduction mechanism are operable in conjunction with the BOF so that the BOF produces a desired quantity and quality of steel in a manner that is more efficient than without the slag/sludge mixture. Improvements in efficiency include reduced heat cycle times, reduced oxygen blow times, reduced demand for raw materials outside of the slag/sludge mixture, reduced disposal and transportation costs, and increased productivity.