Copper Launders
Slag launders are utilized in pyrometallurgy smelting processes to safely and efficiently transport molten material from the furnace to other processing units or vessels. Tenova Pyromet has developed an innovative and safe copper launder solution for the tapping of slag or a mixture of slag and matte/metal.
Overview
Slag launders used in industry are typically refractory-lined or water-cooled launders with no refractory lining. The disadvantage of refractory-lined launders is that the slag attacks refractories and therefore the launder requires frequent maintenance. Water-cooled launders do not require refractory lining. In many cases these launders have cooling water channels directly underneath the molten slag stream. If superheated matte or metal is tapped with the slag, this can damage the launder and lead to water leaks and potential steam explosions. Tenova Pyromet’s innovative water-cooled copper launders are designed to effectively remove energy from the runner through the sidewall cooling channels, therefore, eliminating the inherent risks associated with refractory-lined and water-cooled launders.
Technical Data
Water-cooled copper launders use the freeze-lining principle to reduce component wear. Lower wear means longer launder life, cutting long-term maintenance costs and downtime production losses. Typical industrial water-cooled launder designs present inherent safety risks associated with the positioning of water-cooling passages under the runner, which could result in explosions when molten matte or metal burn-throughs occur. In addition, water-cooled launders have to be scrapped and replaced with new launder segments because the launders cannot be repaired once the cooling water channels are damaged.
Tenova Pyromet uniquely innovative launder design eliminates the explosion hazard normally associated with water-cooled copper launders as it does not have any water channels under the runner, while still effectively removing the energy from the runner through the sidewall cooling channels. Damaged launder segments can be repaired and returned to service as the cooling water channel integrity is maintained.
Innovation
Our copper launders are designed for receiving the tapped products from copper smelting furnaces. By removing the heat from the passing flow at a high rate, the surface temperature of the copper is kept below temperatures that result in launder damage and a freeze lining of process material is formed and maintained to protect the launder.
Our copper launders do not have any water channels under the molten flow, whilst still effectively removing the heat from the bottom of the launder through the sidewall cooling channels. Therefore, on those occasions where damage occurs, there is a greatly reduced risk of explosions. An innovative and patented pocket system incorporated in the bottom of the launders acts like a fuse, ensuring any molten metal or slag will bypass the cooling water channels during damage. In addition, since the water channels are not damaged, the launder can be repaired and reused. The pocket system is designed to increase the stiffness of the launder segment and prevent deformation due to thermal cycling.
Tenova Pyromet designs and produces copper launders of various lengths with either drilled water passages or cast-in pipes.
Features & Benefits
The main benefits of Tenova Pyromet’s copper launders include:
- Copper launders provide a high rate of energy removal, which is mainly attributed to the high thermal conductivity.
- Launder design eliminates the explosion hazard normally associated with water-cooled copper launders due to the removal of water channels under the runner.
- Advanced CAD and FEA engineering tools ensure an optimum balance between maximum heat transfer efficiency and safe operation.
- Tenova Pyromet launders can be tailored to individual customer requirements.
- Monel tubing or drilled water passages are used, depending on heat loads and safety requirements.
Safety
Our launder design eliminates the explosion hazard normally associated with water-cooled copper launders by not having any water channels under the runner.
The copper launders are designed to effectively remove the energy from the runner through the sidewall cooling channels. Therefore, on those occasions when matte burn-throughs occur, there is a reduced chance of explosions.
