AUTOMATIC VERTICAL ARGON COUPLING

Overall, the development of the automatic coupler has brought a new level of flexibility and reliability to the operations of porous plug users.

BENEFITS OF AUTOMATIC COUPLINGS:

The automatic coupler provides significant benefits listed below:

Gas stirring during converter/furnace tapping gives rapid homogenisation ensuring a representative sample and temperature/oxygen activity measurement can be taken immediately. Prevents freezing over the plug.
Slag/metal mixing is promoted during and after tapping resulting in early slag fluxing and enhances slag/metal reactions.
Post treatment stirring at any location to promote inclusion floatation and to prevent temperature stratification
Enhances slag off operation resulting in lower metal losses.
The coupler can be used in any process which uses porous plug stirring,

Short stir to ensure the plug remains operational.
Use of the coupler on the ladle preheat stand allows check of plug operation (flow, back pressure etc.) Maintaining a small gas flow during preheating prevents melting of slag glaze covering the plug.