DETERMINING THE SERVICE LIFE OF OXYGEN CONVERTER DRIVE COMPONENT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/3041-2080/2026-7-14Keywords:
basic oxygen converter, drive system, overturning moment, dynamic loads, mathematical modelAbstract
The paper addresses the relevant problem of improving the reliability and service life of drive components of basic oxygen converters as heavily loaded metallurgical units under conditions of intensified production and limited opportunities for equipment modernization. An advanced methodology for calculating loads in the tilting drive system of a basic oxygen converter is proposed, considering dynamic effects occurring during start-up and operation under various service conditions. The developed mathematical model is based on discretization of the molten metal volume into a finite set of elementary volumes with determination of their geometric parameters and coordinates of centers of gravity. Subsequent integration makes it possible to obtain the dependence of the overturning moment on the converter tilt angle, considering variations in the shape of the molten bath surface and mass redistribution. This approach provides a more accurate representation of the actual loading conditions compared to conventional graphical-analytical methods. Dynamic loads in the drive system are determined using a two-mass model with elastic couplings, described by a system of differential equations of motion. Within this framework, the inertial characteristics of drive components, system stiffness, electric drive parameters, and variable external loads are considered. Analytical relationships are obtained for determining torsional angles and torques in elastic elements, enabling evaluation of peak and cyclic loads in drive shafts. Based on simulation modeling combining load cycle schematization and the Monte Carlo method, the lifetime distribution function of drive components is determined. The proposed approach accounts for the stochastic nature of operational loads and their loading history, ensuring a more reliable assessment of drive shaft durability. The analysis revealed a significant influence of shaft geometric characteristics, particularly the section modulus, on service life. The proposed methodology can be applied for computer-aided analysis and design of basic oxygen converter drives and other metallurgical equipment, as well as for substantiating design solutions aimed at improving operational reliability and extending service life
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