66 / 390
used to heat and cut the pipe itself, focusing some of the energy backward and around
the lance, lowering the effectiveness of the oxygen pipe energy generation.
Since the new advanced lance generates its energy forward, no points behind the tip
of the lance are exposed to ignition temperatures. This fact dramatically lowers the
energy wasted on heating and cutting the lance itself. This allows most of the energy
to attack the target material (Figure 5 above). The increased effectiveness of the
energy generation of the new lances therefor makes them significantly faster and more
efficient than the standard oxygen pipes.
The new lances are each specifically designed for different applications and
conditions. Therefore, most of the oxygen is burned during the combustion process,
and none of the oxygen excess will reach critical lining areas. In addition, since these
lances operate faster, they will use oxygen during a much shorter time compared to
the standard oxygen pipe. This results in a significant saving in the oxygen
consumption in order to get the same job done.
These lance has several oxygen ducts configured between their inserts offering a total
passage way along the whole length of the lance, no strangulation is required to
maintain the inserts in place. The result is that the oxygen can “run freely” through the
lance. That is the explanation to the fact that these new lances operates well even
with lower oxygen pressure, utilizing existing oxygen supply and plant equipment.
The new advanced oxygen lance
Chilean based lance manufacturer Trefimet has over the last 15 years, together with
the local copper industry, developed and patented an advanced thermal lance design
and lance-to-lance connection system. These new lances provide an outstanding
performance for a faster, more efficient, and more cost-effective furnace tapping
operation. The lances are supplied in several different models, each adapted to the
exact application and conditions where it will be used.
Figure 6 shows one model with square and rounded steel inserts and an outside
diameter of 13,7mm; the TR25.
Figure 6.
The TR25 advanced oxygen lance
58