APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CLEANING MOLTEN NOZZLES and OPENINGS OF DISCHARGE OF MOLTEN METAL FROM A FURNACE OR BOILER FOR RECOVERING CHEMICALS

An apparatus (7) comprising a cleaning rod (38) driven in reciprocating， axial extension (y) and retraction (x) movements upon cleaning a smelt discharge opening (5) of a chemicals recovery boiler， wherein a linear actuator (33) is controllable for driving the cleaning rod in the axial movements. A pivot actuation means (39; 41) is controllable for pivoting the cleaning rod about an axis (S) upon cleaning a smelt spout (4) associated with the smelt discharge opening (5)， wherein one or more sensors (40; 47-52) are arranged to provide control basis for correlation of the axial movements (x; y) with the change in pivot angle (φ) during pivoting of the cleaning rod. A method to be performed in use of the apparatus is likewise disclosed. An apparatus (7) comprising a cleaning rod (38) driven in reciprocating， axial extension (y) and retraction (x) movements upon cleaning a smelt discharge opening (5) of a chemicals recovery boiler， wherein a linear actuator (33) is controllable for driving the cleaning rod in the axial movements. A pivot actuation means (39; 41) is controllable for pivoting the cleaning rod about an axis (S) upon cleaning a smelt spout (4) associated with the smelt discharge opening (5)， wherein one or more sensors (40; 47-52) are arranged to provide control basis for correlation of the axial movements (x; y) with the change in pivot angle (φ) during pivoting of the cleaning rod. A method to be performed in use of the apparatus is likewise disclosed.