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Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
On-line version ISSN 2411-9717
Print version ISSN 2225-6253
Abstract
SUTHERLAND, J.J. and GOUS, J.P.. Managing the tap-hole life-cycle at five submerged arc furnaces producing silicomanganese at Transalloys. J. S. Afr. Inst. Min. Metall. [online]. 2019, vol.119, n.6, pp.563-571. ISSN 2411-9717. http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2411-9717/kn02/2019.
Transalloys is a silicomanganese (SiMn) producer located in South Africa, and uses only local manganese ores to produce SiMn alloy. The plant operates five open submerged arc furnaces (SAFs) with an annual capacity of 180 000 t of saleable SiMn. Maintaining tap-holes is critical for effective furnace operation, allowing proper drainage of the furnace with minimal operator interference. Using a claygun and drill arrangement installed at each furnace, tapping occurs every four hours. Tap-holes are maintained through mickey replacement and brick repairs. Three furnaces have SiC tap-holes and two have graphite tap-holes. This paper gives a review of SAF operation, furnace and tap-hole design, daily tapping operation, and maintenance practices for repairing tap-holes.
Keywords : tap-hole; life-cycle; submerged arc furnace; silicomanganese; Transalloys.