Special to New Steel
Upgrading tools to improve blast furnace and BOF operations
Mars, Pa. (June 13, 2001)—Woodings Industrial Corp., a family-owned business since 1883, has supplied tools for blast furnaces and BOFs, which it designs and manufactures without the use of any sub-contractors. Recently, the company enhanced its tools to provide more efficient, safe and cost-effective furnace operations.
Hydraulic mud gun
One example is an hydraulic mud gun in which the hydraulic cylinder exerts in excess of 350 tons of force. This additional pressure was required because taphole clays have become stronger and require well above the average amount of force to accurately plug the hole made by the taphole drill. The gun need only be swung into position against the taphole and then extrude the clay. No multiple functions are necessary.
With Woodings new hydraulic mud gun, there is less likelihood of refractory damage. That’s because each operation can be metered digitally or mechanically, if necessary, and the operator maintains positive and complete control. Equally as important, stops can be ordered regardless of the situation or condition.
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New Steel…Page Two
Taphole Drill for BOFs
Woodings has become the first company to create a taphole drill, the essential for blast furnaces, for use in a BOF. The company designed and built the drill after determining that the usual tool for that capacity, a breakout machine, could, at times, damage either the refractory or internal refractory support.
To begin, Woodings patented Taphole Drilling Machine requires a hole up to 20 inches, requiring a drill more powerful than any currently in use. Company engineers were able to design the taphole drill as a self-contained machine with portability, but still maintaining the rigidity of a fixed-base drill. That power to handle BOF operations is supplied by a hydraulic system containing electricity, nitrogen and water.
The drill’s benefits include accuracy, mobility, portability and precision since there is no deflection from cold face to hot face. Woodings has designed the drill to increase taphole life and reduce those costs associated with supporting equipment while eliminating the threat of damage that frequently resulted to the refractory under previous forms of rebuilding a taphole.
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