MAN0103301 – Torpedo Ladle Car

Description

Estimated time: 0.50 hours

Hot metal is conveyed into torpedo ladles which are positioned underneath the casthouse, waiting to be transported to the steelmaking plant. Under normal conditions, the residence time of the molten iron in the ladle is two to four hours, and the distance travelled is usually less than one-half mile. In addition to transporting molten iron, the torpedo ladle can also be used as a refining vessel.

The torpedo ladle commonly has a cylindrical shape with conical ends and are filled or emptied through an oval shaped opening in its top. The torpedo ladle cars are designed for the least amount of heat loss.

For example, during desulphurisation, powdered reagents are injected into the molten iron by means of a lance. The reagents react with the sulphur in the molten iron and separate from the iron in the form of slag. This process is detrimental to the refractory lining due to the turbulence created.