The emergency run-out pit

There is a risk for melt to escape uncontrollably from any melting or holding plant.. For this reason, such systems must be equipped with emergency run-out pits that can hold at least the entire furnace content and must be positioned directly below the furnace. Furthermore, it must be ensured that the pits are dry or – as soon as this is not the case – the melting operation must be stopped immediately for safety reasons. Emergency run-out pits that are drained in the bottom area by means of drainage material (slag, gravel, aerated concrete, etc.) only partially and insufficiently meet the requirement. Especially if any sheets and gutters on the furnace street are required for drainage, which must divert any water occurring in front of the furnace pit in order to keep the pit dry. The same applies to pipes inside the pit that are to be used for steam drainage.

Since the development of foam ceramic as a solid drainage material in 1992 by Silmeta Systems, emergency run-out pits are drained not only in the area of the floor, but particularly inside the walls. Silmeta Systems installations do not require sheet metal, pipes or other individual parts which, once aged and defective or removed knowingly or unknowingly, could affect the protection against a steam explosion.