U.S. patent application number 13/382196 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-21 for removable spout for a hopper.
This patent application is currently assigned to RIO TINTO ALCAN INTERNATIONAL LIMITED. Invention is credited to Gilles Gauthier.
Application Number | 20120152985 13/382196 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43426252 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120152985 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gauthier; Gilles |
June 21, 2012 |
REMOVABLE SPOUT FOR A HOPPER
Abstract
A spout (10) is removably mounted to a hopper (1) of an
electrolytic cell by a coupling (28) allowing the spout (10) to
rock relative to the spout when jarred. A handler (40) is provided
for the mounting of the spout (10) onto the hopper (1) without an
operator entering into the electrolytic cell.
Inventors: |
Gauthier; Gilles; (Alma,
CA) |
Assignee: |
RIO TINTO ALCAN INTERNATIONAL
LIMITED
Montreal
QC
|
Family ID: |
43426252 |
Appl. No.: |
13/382196 |
Filed: |
June 22, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
June 22, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CA10/00975 |
371 Date: |
February 29, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/567 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C25C 3/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/567 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/72 20060101
B65D005/72 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 6, 2009 |
CA |
2671136 |
Claims
1. A removable spout for feeding a particulate from an outlet of a
hopper to an aluminium electrolytic cell, the spout comprising: a
wall having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the
inner surface, the inner surface defining a passage for the
particulate between an upper inlet and a lower outlet; and a pair
of first coupling members located on opposed sides of the spout
adjacent the upper inlet for removably connecting the spout to a
corresponding pair of second coupling members on the hopper,
wherein the first coupling members and the second coupling members
engage to form a linkage with a fit that permits the spout to rock
around the second coupling members and maintain the linkage.
2. The spout of claim 1, comprising a grip on the outer surface for
handling the spout.
3. The spout of claim 2, wherein each of the first coupling members
defines a catch between two projecting arms extending from a
bearing surface, wherein the catch is adapted to receive a
corresponding one of the second coupling members within.
4. The spout of claim 3, wherein each of the first coupling members
comprises a ramped surface for guiding the corresponding one of the
second coupling members into the catch.
5. The spout of claim 4, wherein markings are provided on the outer
surface of the wall of the spout to facilitate alignment of the
first coupling members with the second coupling members on the
hopper.
6. The spout of claim 1, wherein the first coupling members are
provided on the inner surface of the wall of the spout.
7. An assembly for feeding a particulate to an aluminium
electrolytic cell, the assembly comprising a hopper defining a
hopper outlet discharging the particulate; a spout removably
mounted to the hopper, the spout comprising a wall having an inner
surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface, the inner
surface defining a passage for the particulate between an upper
inlet and a lower outlet; an articulation between the hopper and
the spout allowing relative movement therebetween, the articulation
comprising a pair of first coupling members provided on said spout
proximate said upper inlet and a pair of second coupling members
provided on the hopper proximate said hopper outlet, wherein the
first coupling members and the second coupling members engage to
form a linkage with a fit that permits the spout to rock around the
second coupling members and maintain the linkage.
8. The assembly of claim 7, comprising a grip on the outer surface
of the spout.
9. The assembly of claim 7, wherein each of the first coupling
members defines a catch between two projecting arms extending from
a bearing surface, wherein the catch is adapted to receive a
corresponding one of the second coupling members within.
10. The assembly of claim 7, wherein each of the first coupling
members comprises a ramped surface for guiding the corresponding
one of the second coupling members into a catch.
11. The assembly of claim 7, wherein markings are provided on the
outer surface of the spout to facilitate alignment of the first
coupling members with the second coupling members on the
hopper.
12. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the first coupling members are
provided on the inner surface of the wall of the spout.
13. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the second coupling members
are engaged with the first coupling members by a rotational
movement of the spout relative to the hopper, the first and second
coupling members being provided in the form a bayonet-like
mount.
14. A kit for assembly and disassembly of a spout onto a hopper of
an electrolytic cell having an overhead structure; the kit
comprising a spout body defining a passage extending between an
upper inlet and a lower outlet, the spout body having a grip
provided on an outer surface thereof and a pair of first coupling
members configured for mating engagement with a corresponding pair
of second coupling members on the hopper, a handler for
manipulating the spout body from a remote location during assembly
and disassembly of the spout body onto the hopper, the handler
comprising an elongated pipe having a spout body engaging end
portion engageable with the handle, an anchor releasably mountable
to the overhead structure of the electrolytic cell, the elongated
pipe being suspended from the anchor by a lanyard.
15. The kit defined in claim 14, wherein the elongated pipe is
slidably received in a ring provided at a lower end portion of the
lanyard.
16. The kit defined in claim 14, wherein said lanyard has an
adjustable length.
17. The kit defined in claim 14, wherein said spout body engaging
end portion of the pipe comprises a curve surface adapted to
embrace a corresponding curved outer surface of the spout body, and
a blade engageable in a receiving slot defined between said grip
and said curved outer surface of the spout body.
18. The kit defined in claim 14, wherein said first coupling
members are provided on an inner surface of the spout body and each
include a bottom open ended catch for engagement over the
corresponding second coupling members on the hopper.
19. The kit defined in claim 18, wherein said first coupling
members face each other from opposed sides of the inner surface of
the spout body and are provided with ramp surfaces leading to said
bottom open ended catch.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The technical field concerns feeding particulate solids from
a hopper through a removable spout into an electrolytic cell.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Electrolytic cells for aluminium production can be supplied
with various types of powder or particulate materials, including
crushed electrolyte, alumina and aluminium fluoride.
[0003] Each electrolytic cell has a plurality of spaced-apart
hoppers fixedly mounted to a superstructure above the cell. Spouts
are fixed to the hoppers for directing particulate or powder
products at the upper surface of the cell between anodes.
[0004] The equipment in the area of the headspace above the
electrolytic cells further includes crustbreakers that penetrate
any frozen electrolyte between the anodes thus allowing the
particulate materials to enter the molten bath and feed the cell to
produce aluminium. Clearly, the headspace above an electrolytic
cell where the spouts are located is a cramped space.
[0005] In Alcan Pechiney "AP" type electrolytic cells, the spouts
for particulate material are typically screwed, bolted or otherwise
fastened to the hoppers in a rigid and fixed manner. The
rigid/screw type of spout attachment requires that the operator
enter the cramped headspace to replace the spouts. The spouts are
regularly replaced for various types of maintenance and operational
reasons usually while the electrolytic cells are in operation.
[0006] One such operational reason is the periodic replacement of
the anodes themselves. It is preferable that the spouts remain in
position when the anodes are replaced. However, leaving the spouts
attached to the hoppers causes a further problem that during the
manipulation of these large and heavy anodes, the spouts often come
into contact with the anodes and are jarred. When this occurs, the
rigid type fasteners often break with the result that the spouts
fall into the molten bath, producing a further unfavourable
consequence that the molten electrolyte and the aluminium produced
are contaminated.
[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a removable spout that is
attached to the hoppers above an electrolytic cell that can be
replaced without an operator entering the electrolytic cell and
getting exposed to serious risks of burning and inhaling dangerous
gases. Furthermore, there is a need for a new spout and hopper
connection allowing spouts to remain in place when the anodes of an
electrolytic cell are replaced and withstand some potential contact
between anodes during the anode replacement operation and that
without falling into the molten bath.
SUMMARY
[0008] In one aspect of the present application, there is provided
a removable spout for feeding a particulate from an outlet of a
hopper to an aluminium electrolytic cell, the spout comprising: a
wall having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the
inner surface, the inner surface defining a passage for the
particulate between an upper inlet and a lower outlet; and a pair
of first coupling members located on opposed sides of the spout
adjacent the upper inlet for removably connecting the spout to a
corresponding pair of second coupling members on the hopper,
wherein the first coupling members and the second coupling members
engage to form a linkage with a fit that permits the spout to rock
around the second coupling members and maintain the linkage.
[0009] In another aspect of the application, there is provided an
assembly for feeding a particulate to an aluminium electrolytic
cell, the assembly comprising: a hopper defining a hopper outlet
discharging the particulate; a spout removably mounted to the
hopper, the spout comprising a wall having an inner surface and an
outer surface opposite the inner surface, the inner surface
defining a passage for the particulate between an upper inlet and a
lower outlet; an articulation between the hopper and the spout
allowing relative movement therebetween, the articulation
comprising a pair of first coupling members provided on said spout
proximate said upper inlet and a pair of second coupling members
provided on the hopper proximate said hopper outlet, wherein the
first coupling members and the second coupling members engage to
form a linkage with a fit that permits the spout to rock around the
second coupling members and maintain the linkage.
[0010] According a further aspect, there is provided a kit for
assembly and disassembly of a spout onto a hopper of an
electrolytic cell having an overhead structure; the kit comprising
a spout body defining a passage extending between an upper inlet
and a lower outlet, the spout body having a handle provided on an
outer surface thereof and a pair of first coupling members
configured for mating engagement with a corresponding pair of
second coupling members on the hopper, a handler for manipulating
the spout body from a remote location during assembly and
disassembly of the spout body onto the hopper, the handler
comprising an elongated pipe having a spout body engaging end
portion engageable with the handle, an anchor releasably mountable
to the overhead structure of the electrolytic cell, the elongated
pipe being suspended from the anchor by a lanyard.
[0011] In yet a further aspect of the application, there is
provided a method of mounting a removable spout to a hopper outlet
for feeding particulate matter to an aluminium electrolytic cell,
the method comprising: a) aligning the spout below and adjacent the
hopper outlet; b) raising the spout towards the outlet; and c)
rotating the spout around its axis to engage a first part of a
coupling on the spout to a second part of the coupling on the
hopper outlet, wherein the rotation engaging the first part and the
second part of the coupling.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Reference is now made to the accompanying figures, in
which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a spout
and hopper assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention, illustrating a preferred method of attachment with
arrows;
[0014] FIG. 2(a) is a schematic view of a coupling that can be used
to detachably mount the spout to the upper, the arrows indicating
relative movements of the coupling parts;
[0015] FIG. 2(b) is a schematic view of the two parts of the
coupling shown in FIG. 2(a) indicating their position when engaged
to retain the spout on the hopper;
[0016] FIG. 3(a) is a top view of the spout shown in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3(b) is a front view of the spout;
[0018] FIG. 3(c) is a side view of the spout;
[0019] FIG. 4(a) is a perspective view of a spout handler that can
be used to manipulate the spout during installation and removal
manoeuvres; and
[0020] FIG. 4(b) is a perspective view of chariot adapted to be
releasably connected to the overhead or superstructure of the cell
in order to suspend the spout handler while the same is being used
to replace a spout in an electrolytic cell.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a spout 10 for
dispensing particulates into an electrolytic cell (not shown). The
spout 10 is designed to fit onto a hopper 1 at a hopper outlet 3
from which particulate material discharges, in this case, alumina.
The hopper outlet 3 includes a collar 4 onto which the spout 10 can
be removably mounted for replacement, as necessary.
[0022] The spout 10 has a generally cylindrical body defining a
passage from an upper spout inlet 11 to a lower spout outlet 12. As
can be appreciated from FIGS. 1 and 3(a) the passage has a
substantially circular cross-section. As shown in FIG. 3 (b), the
outlet 12 can take the shape of a triangle along a side wall of the
spout 10. As best shown in FIG. 3(c), the spout 10 has an inclined
surface 13 that helps to direct the particulate material through
the passage 11 and out through outlet 12. In another embodiment for
feeding aluminium fluoride (not shown), the outlet 12 of the spout
10 may include a downwardly angled pipe projecting from the spout
10 in lieu of the illustrated triangular opening. The angled
discharged pipe would typically have a smaller diameter than the
spout 10 itself.
[0023] When the spout 10 and hopper 1 are connected, the
particulate matter flows downward from the hopper 1 through the
passage in the spout 10 and leaves by the outlet 12.
[0024] The spout 10 can be mounted to the hopper 1 by a pair of
couplings 28 (only one pair being shown in FIG. 2(b)) respectively
provided on opposed sides of the spout 10 and the hopper 1. Each
coupling 28 has a first part 24 on the spout 10 and a second part
26 on the hopper 1. The first part 24 is provided on the inner
surface of the upper part of the spout 10 adjacent the spout inlet
11, while the second part 26 is provided on the outer surface of
the collar 4 of the hopper 1 adjacent the hopper outlet 3.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 2(a), the first part 24 can be provided in
the form of a bayonet-like mount 30 having a ramp surface 29
leading to a receiving notch or catch 25. The second part 26 of the
coupling 28 can be provided in the form of a lug projecting
outwardly from the outer surface of the collar 4 of the hopper 1.
In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second part 26 or
lug corresponds to the blocks typically provided on opposed sides
of the outlet collar of existing hoppers in order to receive set
screws for connecting the spouts to the hoppers. The use of
existing blocks on the hopper 1 to suspend the spout 10 from the
hopper 1 advantageously provides for a simple and economical spout
mounting arrangement. In this way, spouts equipped with
bayonet-like coupling parts 24 (such as the ones shown in FIG. 1)
can be retrofitted to existing hoppers originally designed for
fixed spout attachments. It is however understood that the second
part 26 of the coupling 28 can take various other forms or shapes.
Alternate shapes for part 26 include: circular, hexagonal and
octagonal.
[0026] Referring concurrently to FIGS. 1, 2a and 2b, it can be
appreciated that the ramp surface 29 of the first part 24 is
adapted to guide the second part 26 into the catch 25 during a
rotational movement (represented by arrow 6 in FIG. 1) of the spout
10 relative to hopper 1. The ramp surface 29 may be linear or
curved as exemplified in FIG. 2(a).
[0027] The catch 25 has a downwardly facing open end and is defined
by a top abutment or bearing surface 23 extending between two
downwardly projecting arms 22. In the illustrated example, the arms
are coterminous. The configuration of the catch 25 is selected to
generally correspond to that of the second part 26 of the coupling
28. The catch 25 is slightly oversized with respect to the second
part 26, such that the second part 26 is in a loose fit within the
catch 25, as shown in FIG. 2(b). This loose fit or tolerance allows
the spout 10 to withstand being jarred and moved during an anode
replacement operation, and that generally without falling into the
bath of the electrolytic cell.
[0028] The movement of the first part 24 relative to the second
part 26 that causes the first part to capture second part is
indicated by arrow 31 in FIG. 2(a). FIG. 2(b) represents the
position of the two parts 24 and 26 of each coupling 28 once
operatively engaged in order to hold the spout 10 in place on the
hopper 1. When the two couplings 28 are engaged, the main forces
that maintain the spout 10 suspended, are the force of gravity
downward and an equal an opposite reaction force upward from part
26.
[0029] The coupling 28 is designed to move if jarred by an object
such as an anode. It is understood that when the diametrically
opposed couplings 28 are attached, the force vectors retaining the
spout 10 in place are directed from the abutment surfaces 23
through the second parts 26 of the couplings 28 on the hopper 1.
When jarred the spout 10 will pivot or rock around the second parts
26 that will act as a fulcrum. The downwardly projecting arms 22 of
the first part 24 of the couplings 28 will serve to retain the
second parts 26 within the catches 25, and thus hold the spout 10
on the hopper 1. Thus, the coupling 28 will allow the spout 10 to
pivot or rock back and forth and maintain the linkage between spout
and hopper. Only if the spout 10 is jarred past a point where the
arms 22 no longer retain the second parts 26 within the catches 25
will the spout 10 fall off the hopper 1. It is understood that the
position of the parts 24, 26 on the spout 10 and the hopper 1 can
be inverted such that the parts 24, 26 are positioned respectively
on the hopper 1 and spout 10. However, this does not apply to
existing hoppers already having retainer blocks extending laterally
outwardly from the collar of the hoppers.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1, 3(a), 3(b) and 3(c), it can be seen
that the spout 10 is provided on its outside surface with
diametrically opposite grips 14 that can be selectively used to
manipulate or hold the spout 10 while being positioned on the
hopper 1, as will be described hereinafter. Lugs 18 are positioned
adjacent to the grips 14 on the interior surface of the spout 10
for aligning and spacing the spout 10 as it receives the collar 4
of the hopper outlet 3.
[0031] The grips 14 are provided at the upper end of the spout 10
and placed so as to be circumferentially offset relative to the
bayonet-like connecting part 24 (see FIG. 3a). Each grip 14 has a
C-shaped profile and cooperates with the outside surface of the
spout 10 to define an open ended receiving slot 15. The slot 15 is
designed for receiving a blade 46 of a handler 40 (FIGS. 4(a) and
(b)) that can be used for holding and rotating the spout 10 in
position on the hopper 1.
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the handler 40 comprises an
elongated and sturdy pipe 42 capable of supporting the weight of
the spout 10. The length of the pipe 42 is selected to permit
reaching into an electrolytic cell from the plant floor which is
typically a relatively short height above the level of the
electrolytic bath. At one end of the pipe 42 is a handle 41 used to
manipulate the handler 40. The opposed working end of the pipe 42
is a generally U-shaped part 43 defining a shallow curve portion 44
generally matching the outer curvature of the spout 10 to provide
for uniform bearing engagement therewith. The blade 46 projects
upwardly at right angles to the pipe 42 from a central region of
the shallow curve portion 44 and is sized and configured to be
received in a selected one of the receiving slots 15 formed between
the spout 10 outer wall and the grips 14. For greater stability,
the handler 40 may also include a pair of downwardly extending
tongues 47 disposed on opposed sides of central blade 46 (see FIG.
4(a)). Other suitable blade and tongue arrangements are considered
as well.
[0033] In order to facilitate manipulation of the spout 10, the
handler 40 can be suspended from the superstructure (not shown)
supporting the hoppers above the vessel of the electrolytic cell
using an attachment support which includes a lanyard 50 and a
chariot 52 (shown in FIG. 4(b)). The chariot 52 has a generally
C-shaped configuration and comprises a moveable linkage that grasps
a horizontal member (typically associated with the superstructure
associated to electrolytic cell) in a space 53 defined between top
and bottom plates 54 and 55 interconnected by an end plate 56. The
chariot 52 is adapted to roll along the horizontal structural
member (not shown) of the cell by a combination of rollers
57a,b,c,d and ball bearings 58 (only one of which is shown) and
fixed to the plates 54, 55 and 57 for rolling contact with the
structural member. The lanyard or strap 58 is attached to hook 58
fixed to the bottom plate 55 of the chariot 52 and may include
means for adapting its length such that the handler 40 will be
suspended at different heights from the structural member on which
the chariot 52 is mounted. The strap 58 has a snap hook 59 shown in
FIG. 4(a) at the free end thereof opposite the chariot 52 to hook
into a double looped connector 60 that glidingly receives the pipe
42 of the handler 40 between two axially spaced stop rings 62a,b.
One loop of the connector 60 includes a metal ring having an
internal diameter greater than that of the pipe 42. The handler 40
allows for replacing the spout 10 from a distance and without the
operator having to enter into the cramped headspace of the
electrolytic cell.
[0034] In use, an operator must first manually mount the chariot 52
to a structural member of the superstructure of the cell near the
hopper 1 where the spout 10 is to be mounted. The chariot 52 is
slid on the structural member to a proper position near the outlet
3 of the hopper 1. After, the handler 40 has been so suspended or
hooked from the superstructure of the cell, the spout 10 is placed
into position at the working end 43 of the handler 40, with the
blade 46 inserted in a selected one of the receiving slots 15. The
handler 40 is thereafter manipulated so as to axially align the
spout 10 below and adjacent the hopper outlet 3. The spout 10 is
subsequently raised towards the outlet 3, as depicted by arrow 5 in
FIG. 1. The handler 40 is then manipulated by the operator to
rotate the spout 10 around its cylindrical axis to engage the first
parts 24 of the couplings 28 to the second parts 26 of the
couplings 28, as represented by arrow 6 in FIG. 1. Although this
movement is represented as a pure rotational movement it is
understood that the rotation will also have a component of upward
movement along the first parts 24 of the couplings 28 as a result
of the engagement of the ramp surfaces 29 on the second parts 26 of
the couplings 28. In order to ensure proper alignment between the
spout 10 and the hopper 1 prior to rotating the spout 10 in
position, a fluorescent reference strip 16 (see FIG. 3(c)) or other
suitable markings can be applied to the exterior surface of the
spout 10 which is spaced the required distance from the lugs or
pre-existing blocks (i.e. second parts 26 of the couplings 28) on
the hopper 1 to allow the lugs to slide into position from the ramp
surfaces 29 and into the catches 25 of the bayonet mounts, as shown
in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b).
[0035] It is understood that the spout 10 can be readily dismounted
from the hopper 1 by reversing the above-described procedure.
[0036] All the above operations can be manually and effectively
carried out from outside of the electrolytic cell with a minimum
set up time and with minimum risk of injury to the health and
safety of operators.
[0037] The embodiments of the invention described above are
intended to be exemplary only. The scope of the invention is
therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *