No abstract

Ilmenite smelting is well established using both direct current and alternating current furnaces. Regardless of the furnace type, the slag produced is aggressive towards the sidewall lining. The formation of a stable slag freeze lining is essential to arrest lining wear and ensure an acceptable furnace campaign life. The sidewall lining can be severely damaged within a short period of time under upset conditions and without a stable freeze lining in place. The sidewall lining/cooling system adjacent to the furnace slag bath must be designed to ensure a stable freeze lining and prevent lining wear under normal as well as upset conditions. In this paper we explore the effectiveness of high-intensity copper coolers compared to the more traditional magnesia working lining combined with an externally cooled furnace shell. An increase in furnace heat losses has been raised as a concern for intensively cooled sidewalls. The estimated furnace heat losses are compared for the different lining/cooling system designs.

The challenge for current and future nacelles of commercial engines is to obtain: -low transonic drag in cruise condition, -low weight and reduced dimensions without reducing the low speed operating domain (maximum incidence, crosswind, etc) and low noise level. This paper explains how various designs can be improved by using modern numerical methods. Concerning air inlets, 3D Euler code and boundary layer code are used for prediction of divergence Mach number and drag in cruise conditions. Low speed behaviour is also obtained for various flight conditions which cause high local incidences on air inlet sections. Attention is mainly focused on attached flow limits. CFD method calibrations based on existing tests results are needed for that work. Bypass and core nozzle design use axisymmetric Navier-Stokes calculations for the prediction of thrust and flow coefficients relative values. This calculation also helps on development of adequate designs of the throat region and provides detailed analysis of the core nozzle flowfield including interaction of outer cold jet. These methods are applied to the design of an advanced nacelle for a high bypass ratio engine. This nacelle is equiped with an original core cowl doors thrust reverser. Consequently the nacelle length and weight have been significantly reduced. The main numerical results obtained on this nacelle are presented including some results for the installation of this nacelle under a wing.

Tenova Pyromet designed, supplied, and commissioned a 12 MVA circular electric furnace for Sibanye-Stillwater (previously Lonmin) in South Africa. The furnace has been operating successfully since its commissioning in 2012. The paper provides an overview of the furnace performance and campaign life history, and explores the innovative design concepts and improvements implemented. Of particular interest is the use of a novel sidewall lining design that utilizes indirect cooling to remove excess heat from the matte/slag tidal zone without the need to use water-cooled copper. Furthermore, the performance of Tenova's Söderberg electrode column designed for base metal applications, limiting water use above the furnace, is discussed. In addition, the joint development and performance of an uncooled cast iron matte taphole faceplate is presented. Potential future design innovations to further improve smelter operating safety are discussed.