PYROMETALLURGICAL FURNACE INSTALLATION, MORE PARTICULARLY FOR THE MELTING OF ORE-CONCENTRATE AND THE AFTER TREATMENT OF THE MELT

In metallurgical furnaces, the area of the furnace wall which comes into contact with the molten slag is exposed to special stress. According to the present invention, this area of the furnace wall comprises a plurality of platelike cooling elements arranged horizontally one above the other, through which cooling water flows, at least four of the said superimposed elements, for example, being secured detachably to a common cooling plate carrier supported in turn by a stationary support structure. Adjacent cooling element carriers comprise a sheet steel housing, are adapted to pivot outwardly out of the furnace wall after the manner of a door upon hinges. When repairs are necessary, the slag is tapped off and the relevant cooling element is swung out from the furnace wall on its hinge, after the support has been released. The plate-like cooling elements now instantly accessible individually, secured detachably to the cooling element carrier and made of copper may now be simply and rapidly replaced while the furnace is still hot. This reduces to a minimum the down time needed for repairs to the cooling elements of the pyrometallurgical furnace installation.