Modular lance

Abstract

A modular metalmaking lance having a pre-fabricated “plug-in” lower sections. The plug-in section is preferably of sufficient length to ensure that the joint between a plug-in section and an upper lance section is not in the area of the lance that typically is damaged in refining service. At the same time, the plug-in section is preferably short enough to be transported from an off-site assembly/repair shop to the refining shop via standard-length cargo trucks or truck-trailer rigs used throughout the world.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A modular metalmaking lance comprising: 
 a top adapter comprising a housing having at least one refining agent inlet;    an upper lance section comprising at least an outer pipe defining at least one passageway in communication with said at least one refining agent inlet;    first joint means for connecting said top adapter and said upper lance section;    a lower lance section comprising at least an outer pipe defining at least one passageway in communication with said at least one passageway of said upper lance section; and    second joint means for connecting said upper lance section and said lower lance section.    
     
     
         2 . The modular metalmaking lance of  claim 1  wherein said lower lance section is no greater than about 13.6 meters in length.  
     
     
         3 . The modular metalmaking lance of  claim 1  wherein said first and second joint means comprise flanged joints.  
     
     
         4 . The modular metalmaking lance of  claim 3  wherein said flanged joints are joined by metal fusion.  
     
     
         5 . The modular metalmaking lance of  claim 3  wherein said flanged joints are joined by mechanical joining arrangements.  
     
     
         6 . A modular metalmaking lance comprising: 
 a top adapter comprising a housing having a coolant water inlet, a coolant water outlet and at least one refining agent inlet;    an upper lance section comprising an outer pipe and a plurality of inner pipes defining a first passageway, a second passageway and at least one additional passageway, wherein said first passageway is in communication with said coolant water inlet, said second passageway is in communication with said coolant water outlet, and said at least one additional passageway is in communication with said at least one refining agent inlet;    first joint means for connecting said top adapter and said upper lance section;    a lower lance section comprising an outer pipe and a plurality of inner pipes corresponding in number and disposition to said outer pipe and said plurality of inner pipes of said upper lance section, said outer pipe and said plurality of inner pipes of said lower lance section defining a first passageway, a second passageway and at least one additional passageway, wherein said first passageway of said lower lance section is in communication with said first passageway of said upper lance section, said second passageway of said lower section is in communication with said second passageway of said upper lance section, and said at least one additional passageway of said lower lance section is in communication with said at least one additional passageway of said upper lance section, said lower lance section further comprising a lance tip subassembly including at least one nozzle in communication with at said least one additional passageway of said lower lance section for discharging at least one refining agent from said lance; and    second joint means for connecting said upper lance section and said lower lance section.    
     
     
         7 . The modular metalmaking lance of  claim 6  wherein said lower lance section is no greater than about 13.6 meters in length.  
     
     
         8 . The modular metalmaking lance of  claim 6  wherein said first and second joint means comprise flanged joints.  
     
     
         9 . The modular metalmaking lance of  claim 8  wherein said flanged joints are joined by metal fusion.  
     
     
         10 . The modular metalmaking lance of  claim 8  wherein said flanged joints are joined by mechanical joining arrangements.  
     
     
         11 . A lower lance section for use with a modular metalmaking lance, the modular metalmaking lance comprising a top adapter including a housing having at least one refining agent inlet and an upper lance section joined to said top adapter, the upper lance section having at least an outer pipe defining at least one passageway in communication with the at least one refining agent inlet, said lower lance section comprising: 
 at least an outer pipe defining at least one passageway in communication with the at least passageway of the upper lance section, said lower lance section further comprising a lance tip subassembly including at least one nozzle for discharging at least one refining agent from the lance when said lower lance section is joined to the upper lance section.    
     
     
         12 . The lower lance section for use with a modular metalmaking lance  claim 11  wherein said lower lance section is no greater than about 13.6 meters in length.  
     
     
         13 . A lower lance section for use with a modular metalmaking lance, the modular metalmaking lance comprising a top adapter including a housing having a coolant water inlet, a coolant water outlet and at least one refining agent inlet and an upper lance section joined to the top adapter, said lower lance section comprising: 
 an outer pipe and a plurality of inner pipes corresponding in number and disposition to an outer pipe and a plurality of inner pipes of the upper lance section, said outer pipe and said plurality of inner pipes of said lower lance section defining a first passageway, a second passageway and at least one additional passageway, wherein said first passageway of said lower lance section is communicable with a first passageway of the upper lance section, said second passageway of said lower section is communicable with a second passageway of the upper lance section, and said at least one additional passageway of said lower lance section is communicable with at least one additional passageway of the upper lance section, said lower lance section further comprising a lance tip subassembly including at least one nozzle for discharging at least one refining agent from the lance when said lower lance section is joined to the upper lance section.    
     
     
         14 . The lower lance section for use with a modular metalmaking lance  claim 13  wherein said lower lance section is no greater than about 13.6 meters in length.  
     
     
         15 . A method for assembling a modular metalmaking lance, the modular metalmaking lance comprising a top adapter including a housing having at least one refining agent inlet and an upper lance section joined to the top adapter, the upper lance section having at least an outer pipe defining at least one passageway in communication with the at least one refining agent inlet, said method comprising the steps of: 
 plugging a lower lance section into the upper lance section, said lower lance section comprising at least an outer pipe defining at least one passageway in communication with the at least passageway of the upper lance section, said lower lance section further comprising a lance tip subassembly including at least one nozzle for discharging at least one refining agent from the lance when said lower lance section is joined to the upper lance section; and    joining said lower lance section to the upper lance section.    
     
     
         16 . The method for assembling a modular metalmaking lance  15  wherein said lower lance section is no greater than about 13.6 meters in length.  
     
     
         17 . A method for assembling a modular metalmaking lance, the modular metalmaking lance comprising a top adapter including a housing having a coolant water inlet, a coolant water outlet and at least one refining agent inlet and an upper lance section joined to the top adapter, said method comprising the steps of: 
 plugging a lower lance section into an upper lance section, said lower lance section comprising: 
 an outer pipe and a plurality of inner pipes corresponding in number and disposition to an outer pipe and a plurality of inner pipes of the upper lance section, said outer pipe and said plurality of inner pipes of said lower lance section defining a first passageway, a second passageway and at least one additional passageway, wherein said first passageway of said lower lance section is communicable with a first passageway of the upper lance section, said second passageway of said lower section is communicable with a second passageway of the upper lance section, and said at least one additional passageway of said lower lance section is communicable with at least one additional passageway of the upper lance section, said lower lance section further comprising a lance tip subassembly including at least one nozzle for discharging at least one refining agent from the lance when said lower lance section is joined to the upper lance section; and  
   joining said lower lance section to the upper lance section.    
     
     
         18 . The method for assembling a modular metalmaking lance  17  wherein said lower lance section is no greater than about 13.6 meters in length.