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• Faster operation results in significantly reduced Fe contamination to the Silicon.
• Faster operations also results in decreased exposure time and therefore increased
safety.
• Offers lower oxygen and lance consumption.
• No need to push lance forward. Keeps ignited. Easier to operate, lance bends less.
• Very easy to connect lances with the EasyClick™ system– faster, less labor
injuries, and less wasted pipes.
• It generates less fumes and particles – easier to operate and your target is more
visible.
• Improved taphole condition reduces gas blowing, reducing the environmental
impact and increasing operator safety.
• Oxygen flow cools the critical part of the lance exposed to flowing Silicon; results
in extended lance life in a tough environment, thus faster operation and less Fe
contamination.
As stated at the beginning of this paper, an important tool for many Silicon tapping
operations has for many decades been the oxygen steel pipe. But this has not been
considered an operation that brings added value, and, therefore, there has been
practically no product development during all these years.
Furnaces have been made more efficient and computer controlled, electrode systems
have been modernized; moving from carbon electrodes to composite electrodes,
taphole clays are today environmentally friendly as well as great for the tapping
process, cooling systems have been improved, lance holders with built in safety
valves are almost standard, refractory concepts and materials have been refined to
offer improved furnace life and safety, just to mention a few developments that have
taken place in recent years. And now, finally, the oxygen lance technology has
reached a new level. This is truly a step change. These new lances are very accurate
tools that enable the operator to perform a more controlled operation; resulting in
longer taphole life, fewer repairs, increased safety, less down-time and increased
revenue.
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