TESTING 1-2-3 Study of a Quenched Cupola


Quenching a cupola in full operation with water and nitrogen provided the data necessary to analyze a computer simulation program for commercial cupolas. A MODERN CASTING STAFF REPORT


been conducted to elucidate the inter- nal cupola processes. Tese enabled the development of a computer simulation program that describes the condi- tions inside the cupola as well as its output. To finalize the project, it was deemed necessary to verify the sup- positions contained in the simulation. A quenching study was performed for this reason.


A


1 2


3 ADDING IT ALL UP


Breaking down the latest research is as easy as 1-2-3. “Studies of a Quenched Cupola, Parts I, II, III and IV,”


Seymour Katz, S. Katz Associates, Bloomfield, Mich.; Ricardo E. Aristizabal, C.M. Silva and P.A. Perez, University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia


Background—A computer simulation program has been developed to describe the conditions inside a cupola as well as its output. To finalize the project, it was deemed necessary to verify the suppositions contained in the simulation. Procedure—A water and nitrogen quenching study was performed. Data on conditions inside the cupola were collected. Samples of the different materials important to cupola performance, including cast iron, steel, silicon carbide and coke, were gathered and analyzed by various methods. Results and Conclusions—The agreement between the experimental results and the computer simulation is excellent. It provides the reassurance needed that the conditions noted in the quenched materials also apply to larger cupolas.


42 | MODERN CASTING August 2013


lthough the basic concept of cupola operation seems simple, it is extremely complex. For the past 20 years, studies have


Question Is computer simulation of a cupola’s


internal processes and output accurate? 1


Background Bloomfield, Mich.-based S.


Katz Associates and researchers with the University of Antio- quia, Medellin, Colombia, con-


ducted an experiment in which a cupola was quenched with water and gaseous nitrogen while in full operation. To pro- vide the necessary mechanistic data, the cupola had been modified extensively to conform to the structure and operation of commercial cupolas, to enable careful


removal of materials, and to provide special access to the interior so materials could be removed after quenching. An archeological examination of the


cupola’s contents subsequent to quench- ing provided a detailed description of the conditions existing from the charge door to the tap hole. A computer simulation program was used to examine whether the program accurately described the output conditions as measured. A series of papers provides an analysis of


the experimental studies and confirmation that the information obtained from this very small cupola (12.2 in., 310mm) represents the performance of commercial cupolas.


Figure 1. This schematic representation of the cupola notes the five sections and the positions of the flanges.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68