Metal treatment – Process of modifying or maintaining internal physical... – Chemical-heat removing or burning of metal
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-18
2001-03-20
Kastler, Scott (Department: 1742)
Metal treatment
Process of modifying or maintaining internal physical...
Chemical-heat removing or burning of metal
C148S194000, C148S555000, C148S675000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203629
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a process for cutting coked metal molded parts.
2. Discussion of the Background
In large-scale factories, in which hydrocarbons are exposed to high temperatures, these hydrocarbons decompose and form coke deposits on the inside walls of the system in which they are used. This particularly holds true for thermal cracking processes in mineral oil processing or petrochemistry, e.g. olefin systems. For example, it is necessary in such olefin systems to decoke the cracking pipes in the ovens. The coke deposits can reach significant thicknesses, up to complete clogging of the pipes. So-called brittle cracking can occur in cracking pipes that are not decoked, after an operating period of about three years. The same holds true if emergency shut-down of the ovens took place. Increased stresses at the pipe wall occur because of the volume increase which results from the formation of carbonized zones inside the pipes. Intergranular stresses result from structural changes. The coke deposits also result in increased stresses in the pipe wall, due to a difference in shrinkage between the coke and the metal. Because of the coke deposits that remain in the cracking pipes, significant tensile stresses occur during cooling, because the coke deposits have a significantly smaller heat expansion coefficient than the metal material. Cutting the metal by usual cutting methods, such as cutting wheels or air saws, is not possible without danger, since the pipes can burst and pieces of pipe can fall unchecked into the oven space. Water cutting can also be used only with restrictions, and requires additional complicated measures for protecting workers. Breaking the coked molded parts out using hydraulic presses is not a suitable method, due to the fact that it could bring about secondary damage, for example, to the surrounding walls.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is a process which makes it possible to cut coked molded parts, without any great hazard potential for the persons who perform the process, and without bringing about additional material or secondary damage.
Another object of the present invention is a process to cut molded parts on which coke deposits with a thickness of 20 mm and more have formed.
Still another object of the present invention is a process to cut molded parts which are made from a high-alloy steel and which cannot be cut using known thermal cutting methods, such as autogenic flame cutting.
These objects are accomplished by a process for cutting coked metal molded parts, where the molded parts are preheated to 700-900° C., preferably approximately 850° C.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Surprisingly, it was found that it is possible to cut coked molded parts in a simple manner, if they have been previously stress-relieved. Stress-relieved coked metal can be prepared by preheating coked metal to any temperature sufficient to relieve stresses in the metal caused by the volume increase resulting from build up of coke layers, and the differences in the heat expansion coefficient of the coke and the metal. For example, stress-relieved coked metal can be produced by heating the coked metal to 700-900° C. Preferably, the material is heated to 800-900° C., more preferably approximately 850° C. The resulting stress-relieved material can then be cut with a flame. With preheating, stress caused by differences in the heat expansion coefficients of the deposited coke and the metal is reduced, so that hazard-free cutting is guaranteed. In a preferred embodiment of the process, according to the present invention, the molded element is preheated over a length of from 50-100 mm, preferably 60-90 mm, more preferably approximately 80 mm. Cutting takes place after preheating, approximately in the middle of the preheated zone. Preferably, preheating takes place by means of a gas/oxygen flame, particularly with a tip of 20-30 mm. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, preheating can take place with two or more flames.
Cutting of the molded parts is preferably carried out by an electrowelding process, particularly with a gouging torch, as described in “Air-Carbon Arc Cutting”, ASM Handbook, Volume 6, Welding, Brazing and Soldering, ASM International, 1993, pp. 1172-1177, incorporated herein by reference. The work is performed with a 2-15 mm diameter rod electrode, preferably with a 4-10 mm diameter rod electrode, more preferably with a 4 mm diameter rod electrode. The electrowelding process uses a current of 300-1000 amperes, preferably a current of 300-800 amperes, more preferably a current of 300-600 amperes, and even more preferably approximately 450 amperes. Electrodes with the DIN designation E 4343 RR (B 7), for example SH yellow R, are suitable. The use of special electrodes which are particularly suited for gouging, grooving, or melt cutting have proven to be advantageous. These are, for example, electrodes with the designation “PHÖNIX NUT S” (PHOENIX GROOVE SI from THYSSEN SCHWEISSTECHNIK) or “FOX NUT” (FOX GROOVE from BÖHLER). These special electrodes offer the advantage that the coke layer can be broken up to a great extent. Usually, when performing this work, spark protection is provided using the protective devices known to a person skilled in the art, and the welding gases are drawn off.
Metal molded parts that can be cut with the process according to the present invention are particularly molded parts produced by spin casting, preferably pipes produced by spin casting.
The process according to the present invention can even be used advantageously, as compared with other methods, if the deposited coke layers have a thickness of 20 mm or more, for example, a thickness of 20-100 mm. The process is particularly suitable for cutting molded parts made of high-alloy chrome-nickel steels, particularly when the alloy has the composition 0.3-0.5 wt. % carbon, 1.0-2.5 wt. % silicon, up to 1.5 wt. % manganese, 20-50 wt. % chromium, and 10-70 wt. % nickel.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3641190 (1972-02-01), Kivlen et al.
patent: 4297147 (1981-10-01), Nunciato et al.
patent: 5087596 (1992-02-01), Clark et al.
patent: 5169515 (1992-12-01), Ngan et al.
Robert L. Strohl, “Air Carbon Arc Cutting”, ASM Handbook, vol. 6, Welding, Brazing and Soldering, ASM International, pp. 1172-1177, (1993).
H. Mair “Brennschneiden—Mit Oder Ohne Vorwarmen,” Der Praktiker, pp. 48-1482, Aug. 1992.
Kastler Scott
Oblon & Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt P.C.
Ruhr Oel GmbH
LandOfFree
Process for cutting coked metal molded parts does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Process for cutting coked metal molded parts, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Process for cutting coked metal molded parts will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2527201