Water Cooled Furnace Cover for Electric Arc Furnace (EAF)
The water cooled furnace cover is a critical high-temperature-resistant component for electric arc furnaces (EAF) and ladle refining furnaces (LRF). It seals the furnace top, supports electrode insertion, and withstands extreme thermal shock during smelting. The integrated water cooling system ensures stable operation under high-temperature, high-radiation working conditions, extending service life and improving furnace efficiency.
Core Functions
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Furnace Sealing & Thermal Insulation
- Seals the furnace mouth to reduce heat loss and prevent the escape of high-temperature flue gas, dust, and molten metal splashes, optimizing the smelting environment.
- Blocks radiant heat from the furnace interior, protecting upper equipment (e.g., electrode lifting mechanisms, dust removal systems) from thermal damage.
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Electrode Support & Positioning
- Features 3 concentric electrode holes (matching Φ300–Φ600mm graphite electrodes) with precision-machined copper bushings, ensuring stable electrode insertion and vertical operation. The bushings also assist in current conduction and heat dissipation.
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High-Efficiency Heat Dissipation
- The built-in cooling water circuit rapidly dissipates heat absorbed from the furnace, keeping the cover’s working temperature within a safe range and avoiding deformation caused by overheating.
Structural Design
| Component |
Material & Specification |
| Cover Shell |
Welded structure of Q345R low-alloy steel plate (thickness 20–40mm) or stainless steel 304; corrosion-resistant and high-strength. |
| Cooling Water Jacket |
Integrated or modular water jacket design; inner cavity is divided into multiple independent flow channels to ensure uniform water distribution and no dead zones. |
| Electrode Bushing |
Chrome-copper alloy (CuCrZr) bushings installed in electrode holes; high conductivity and thermal conductivity, with its own independent cooling branch to prevent overheating at the electrode contact area. |
| Flange Connection |
Equipped with sealing flanges at the water inlet/outlet and electrode bushings; uses high-temperature-resistant rubber gaskets to ensure zero water leakage. |
| Reinforcement Structure |
Internal steel rib reinforcement to improve mechanical strength and resist deformation under high-temperature and pressure loads. |
| Access Holes |
Reserved observation holes, sampling holes, and oxygen lance holes to meet on-site smelting operation needs. |
Technical Parameters
The parameters are customized based on EAF capacity (5t–150t). Below are standard specifications for common models:
1. Basic Size Parameters
| EAF Capacity |
Cover Diameter |
Electrode Hole Diameter |
Cover Thickness |
Weight |
| 10–30t |
Φ1800–Φ2500mm |
Φ320/Φ350/Φ400mm |
200–300mm |
3–8t |
| 50–80t |
Φ2800–Φ3500mm |
Φ450/Φ500mm |
300–400mm |
10–18t |
| 100–150t |
Φ3800–Φ4500mm |
Φ550/Φ600mm |
400–500mm |
20–35t |
2. Cooling System Parameters
| Parameter |
Specification |
| Working Water Pressure |
0.4–0.6 MPa (stable pressure to avoid flow fluctuations) |
| Total Water Flow Rate |
80–300 L/min (proportional to furnace capacity: 15–20 L/min per 10t EAF) |
| Cooling Water Quality |
Conductivity ≤ 50 μS/cm; pH 6.5–8.5; deionized water recommended to prevent scaling |
| Temperature Rise of Cooling Water |
≤ 15 K (inlet temp ≤ 35℃, outlet temp ≤ 50℃) |
| Sealing Performance |
No leakage under 1.2× working pressure; pressure test duration ≥ 30 min |
3. Thermal & Mechanical Performance Parameters
| Parameter |
Specification |
| Maximum Operating Temperature |
≤ 1200℃ (surface temperature under furnace fire zone) |
| Temperature Rise Limit |
≤ 40 K (cover surface relative to ambient temperature) |
| Mechanical Strength |
Tensile strength ≥ 350 MPa; withstands furnace pressure fluctuation of ±0.05 MPa |
| Thermal Shock Resistance |
Resists 1000℃ rapid cooling/heating cycles without cracking or deformation |
| Service Life |
≥ 12,000 furnace charges (under standard operating conditions) |
4. Material Performance Parameters
| Component |
Material Grade |
Key Performance Indicators |
| Cover Shell |
Q345R/304 SS |
Yield strength ≥ 345 MPa; corrosion resistance rating ≥ 9 (salt spray test 1000h) |
| Electrode Bushing |
CuCrZr |
Electrical conductivity ≥ 48 MS/m; thermal conductivity ≥ 320 W/(m·K) |
| Sealing Gasket |
High-temperature silicone rubber |
Operating temp range: -40℃ to 300℃; compression set ≤ 15% |
Application Advantages
- Long Service Life: Compared with refractory brick furnace covers, the water cooled structure avoids cracking and erosion caused by thermal shock, reducing maintenance frequency by 60% and downtime by 40%.
- Energy Saving & Emission Reduction: Excellent sealing performance reduces heat loss by 20–30% and flue gas emissions, aligning with industrial environmental protection standards.
- High Operational Stability: The rigid structure and uniform cooling prevent deformation, ensuring precise electrode positioning and stable arc discharge, improving smelting quality and efficiency.