Oxygen Lancing Pipes 

Nominal Bore

Nominal Bore is not the same as OD(Outside diameter), it is a Nomenclature and Particularly pipe name basically. As per the Indian Standard,  the pipes are classified by their Outside Diameter and not ID (Inside diameter).This is because the pipes need to be threaded at both ends or at one end as such the OD cannot Vary beyond certain range as specified in IS. 

Types of Lancing Pipes

1. MS Plain Lancing Pipes
2. Ceramic Coated Lancing Pipes  

MS Plain Lancing Pipes

Plain Lancing pipes are ERW MS pipes, drawn as per the required size. The pipes have a higher tensile strength because of the cold drawing process. Therefore they will not easily bend during lancing. The edges are prepared as per the requirement of the customer. The ends can be plain or threaded. The threads are as per BSPT standards. The threaded pipes are provided with a coupling at one end and a PVC Cap at the other end.

All pipes are tested by air pressure at 6-7kg/cm². The pipes are cleaned for oil & dust. They are then packed in HDPE bags for easy handling and use.

 The following size are available. 

Ceramic Coated Oxygen Lancing Pipe

Oxygen is used in the manufacture of metals like Steel, Copper and Zinc. Chlorine is used in the manufacture of Aluminium. These gases react with the undesirable impurities and form their respective oxide or chlorides. These oxides or chlorides then float to the surface of the molten metal and are removed.

To transfer these gases to the molten metal, a pipe is needed. This pipe is the Lancing Pipe and the process of injecting gases into molten metal is known as Lancing.

Traditionally an ordinary Pipe has been used. The material of construction is Low Carbon Steel ( Mild Steel ) , Electrically  Resistance Welded ( ERW ) in  the shape of  a pipe. Since the molten metal is Steel or Copper or Zinc, and the pipe is of Mild Steel, the pipe melts into the Molten Metal, at the end which is dipped into it . Besides because of the high temperature of the Molten Metal, the pipe  also gets oxidized and  melts  faster into the Molten Metal. Hence the pipe gets consumed and has to be replaced .

The rate of replacement decides the cost of production. Therefore in order to contain the cost  it is imperative to reduce the rate of replacement of these pipes.

Ceramic Coated Pipes do exactly this reduction in the rates of replacement. As against the usage of 2.5 pipes of plain Mild Steel variety, one has to use only 1 plain Ceramic Coated Pipe. The cost of the plain Ceramic Coated Pipe is not 2 ½ times the cost of the plain Mild Steel pipe. Hence there is a net savings in the cost of pipes used.

Besides there are other industrial advantages:-

Lower Down Time:-

As infrequent replacement is required, the down time is reduced directly by 2.5 times. This brings a minimum savings of 5 mins. Per heat and at 17/18 heats a day it translates into 90 mins., ie. 1.5 hrs/day. This is equal to  450 hrs/year.

This saving of 450 hrs/years gives the following,

• Savings in Electricity Cost equivalent to 450 hrs/year.
• Savings in Labour Cost 450 hrs/year.
• Higher yield equivalent to 450 hrs/year.
• Lower Inventory Cost.
• Lesser space for storage of Lancing Pipes.

Therefore it is prudent to use PCC Pipes for Lancing especially in the charged scenario of the open economy where for any industry to survive in competition it is necessary to increase efficiency, quantity and decrease costs.

Construction of Plain Ceramic Coated Pipes.

The Pipes are Low Carbon ERW Pipe as the base Pipe. Refractory coating is applied on both the inner and outer surfaces of the Pipe. The process is hydraulic extrusion so that the coating is dense and gives a good bonding with the pipes.

Both ends of the pipes are threaded. The threads are normal BSPT threads. One socket is provided at one end . The other end has a PVC Shrink Film cap to protect the threads during transit. At one end of the pipe , on the outer surface, a distance of about 200 to 210 mm maximum is left uncoated. This uncoated portion is required for gripping the pipe during coupling. The uncoated portion is painted with aluminium paint. Pipes are made in a standard length of 5.5/6 meters . Pipes can also have a sleeve as against a threaded end and socket.

The availability of sizes and their specifications are:-

Packing    

The pipes are strapped together and packed in HDPE bag for protection during transit.