Abstract: Flux is injected into the oxygen stream being fed to the tuyeres of a steel-refining converter, such as a Q-BOP converter or the like, and the rate of injection is controlled by varying the size of the outlet orifice of the flux-containing tank. The tank is pressurized to the same pressure as the oxygen stream into which the flux is being injected. The weight of flux in the tank is continuously measured and the actual weight is compared with a preset reference weight for each point in time. The difference between the two weights is used to drive a motor in either the forward or reverse direction to open or close the variable-orifice flux tank outlet valve an amount sufficient to adjust the actual injection rate to match the reference weight for a given time.The current weight of flux remaining in the tank is compared with an initial weight; when the difference between the two exceeds a preset total, a signal is generated which causes the motor to close the variable orifice valve.

Abstract: Flux is injected into the oxygen stream being fed to the tuyeres of a steel-refining converter, such as a Q-BOP converter or the like, and the rate of injection is controlled by varying the size of the outlet orifice of the flux-containing tank. The tank is pressurized to the same pressure as the oxygen stream into which the flux is being injected. The weight of flux in the tank is continuously measured and the actual weight is compared with a preset reference weight for each point in time. The difference between the two weights is used to drive a motor in either the forward or reverse direction to open or close the variable-orifice flux tank outlet valve an amount sufficient to adjust the actual injection rate to match the reference weight for a given time.The current weight of flux remaining in the tank is compared with an initial weight; when the difference between the two exceeds a preset total, a signal is generated which causes the motor to close the variable orifice valve.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a steel refining converter of the type having bottom tuyeres, each tuyere consisting of a center jet surrounded by annulus jets is disclosed. Controls are provided for blowing oxygen through the center jets and a fuel gas, such as propane, through the annulus jets during the refining step. Purging gases, such as nitrogen and compressed air, are blown through the jets during other parts of the steel making process. By means of switching circuits, the flow of each selected set of gases is established before the previously selected set can be cut off, one set of gases is automatically substituted for another if there is a loss of pressure at the tuyeres, nitrogen is substituted for oxygen and fuel if the flow of either of the latter two gases falls below a predetermined value and tilting of the converter to an upright position is prevented unless there is adequate pressure in the tuyeres.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method and apparatus for controlling the injection of flux into a steelmaking vessel as a function of the differential pressure between the flux containing tank and the main conduit which supplies oxygen to the tuyeres of the steelmaking vessel in the Q-BOP process. A branch conduit diverts a portion of the oxygen stream from the main conduit and flux from a pressurized flux-containing tank is injected into this secondary stream which secondary stream is then recombined with the main stream.

Abstract: An improved method of optimum burning of carbon monoxide in a carbon monoxide zone (being fed oxygen by a side tuyere) above a molten metal bath in a converter to carbon dioxide is disclosed.The improved method includes the steps of:A. sensing an initial effectiveness signal of the amount of carbon monoxide in the carbon monoxide zone being burned to carbon dioxide at a predetermined point relative to the converter;B. monitoring a continuing effectiveness signal;C. comparing the continuing effectiveness signal with the initial effectiveness signal; andD. moving the side tuyere relative to the converter and adjusting O.sub.2 flow when all possible side tuyere positions are exhausted when the continuing effectiveness signal is greater than the initial effectiveness signal to increase the amount of carbon monoxide in the carbon monoxide zone being burned to carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for increasing yields of certain recoverable gases, particularly ethylene feedstocks, produced during the manufacture of coke from a raw material in a coking apparatus is disclosed.The method includes the steps of heating the raw material to its coking temperature to cause evolvement of the recoverable gases in an effluent zone in the coking apparatus above the raw material; and simultaneously introducing a cooling fluid into the effluent zone to maintain the temperature of the recoverable gases in the effluent zone below their decomposition temperature, thereby increasing the yield of certain recoverable gases from the coking apparatus while maintaining maximum coke-producing rates in the coking apparatus.

Abstract: A method of oxygen refining molten hot metal to steel by blowing an oxygen stream at a predetermined flow rate from an oxygen supply source having a pressure from about 12 to about 18 atmospheres through the molten hot metal from a tuyere located beneath the surface of the molten hot metal and having a tuyere inlet and by varying the rate of flow of a finely divided lime injected into the oxygen stream is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of laminating a plastic sheet onto a surface of a hollow body is disclosed.The method of laminating a plastic sheet onto a surface of a hollow body includes the steps of loading the hollow body into the female die, securing the plastic sheet in a clamping means, heating the clamped sheet to its softening temperature, moving the clamped heated sheet into registry with a male die and the female die, sealing one die of the male die and the female die to one member of the clamping means and the clamped heated plastic sheet to define therewith a sealed chamber, moving the male die toward the clamped heated sheet to form the clamped heated sheet about the male die, moving the male die and the clamped formed heated sheet against the surface of the hollow body in the female die, and applying fluid pressure to the clamped formed heated hollow body to transfer the clamped formed heated sheet to the surface of the hollow body.