Abstract: A method of operating a shaft furnace includes inserting a mixture including anthracite coal and coke into a cavity defined by the furnace, and disposing a metal feedstock within the cavity. The method includes injecting natural gas at a natural gas flow rate and a first quantity of oxygen gas at a first oxygen gas flow rate into the cavity simultaneously through at least one burner. The method also includes driving a second quantity of oxygen gas at a supersonic oxygen gas flow rate into the cavity through at least one lance, wherein the supersonic oxygen gas flow rate is greater than the first oxygen gas flow rate. The method also includes combusting the mixture within the cavity to produce a stack gas, melting the metal feedstock to produce a melted metal material, and monitoring the stack gas to thereby operate the shaft furnace. A shaft furnace is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of catching overflow of a liquid fluid utilized to cast a component is disclosed. Sand is compacted to form a mold. A cutter of a cutting device is in a disengaged position spaced from a top surface of the mold when the cutting device is in a first position and the cutter is in an engaged position engaging the top surface of the mold when the cutting device is in a second position. The cutter is actuated when the cutting device is in the second position and the cutter is in the engaged position to remove sand from the top surface to define a recess therein to catch overflow of the liquid fluid. The recess is spaced from an opening. At least one blocking mechanism, blowing mechanism and adjustment mechanism is utilized to assist the cutting device.

Abstract: An overflow system for casting a component is disclosed. The system includes a mold formed of sand. The mold includes a top surface that defines an opening for receiving a liquid fluid. A trenching assembly includes a cutting device movable relative to a frame between a first position and a second position. The cutting device includes a cutter that is in a disengaged position spaced from the top surface when the cutting device is in the first position and in an engaged position engaging the top surface when the cutting device is in the second position. The cutter defines a recess in the top surface when the cutter is in the engaged position. The recess is spaced from the opening for receiving excess liquid fluid. The trenching assembly further includes at least one of a blocking mechanism, a blowing mechanism and an adjustment mechanism that assists the cutting device.

Abstract: A method of catching overflow of a liquid fluid utilized to cast a component is disclosed. Sand is compacted to form a mold. A cutter of a cutting device is in a disengaged position spaced from a top surface of the mold when the cutting device is in a first position and the cutter is in an engaged position engaging the top surface of the mold when the cutting device is in a second position. The cutter is actuated when the cutting device is in the second position and the cutter is in the engaged position to remove sand from the top surface to define a recess therein to catch overflow of the liquid fluid. The recess is spaced from an opening. At least one blocking mechanism, blowing mechanism and adjustment mechanism is utilized to assist the cutting device.

Abstract: A method of operating a shaft furnace includes inserting a mixture including anthracite coal and coke into a cavity defined by the furnace, and disposing a metal feedstock within the cavity. The method includes injecting natural gas at a natural gas flow rate and a first quantity of oxygen gas at a first oxygen gas flow rate into the cavity simultaneously through at least one burner. The method also includes driving a second quantity of oxygen gas at a supersonic oxygen gas flow rate into the cavity through at least one lance, wherein the supersonic oxygen gas flow rate is greater than the first oxygen gas flow rate. The method also includes combusting the mixture within the cavity to produce a stack gas, melting the metal feedstock to produce a melted metal material, and monitoring the stack gas to thereby operate the shaft furnace. A shaft furnace is also disclosed.

Abstract: An iron-based high-silicon alloy contains (in weight percent) 2.6-3.5% carbon, 3.7-4.9% silicon, 0.45-1.0% niobium, up to 0.6% manganese, up to 0.02% sulfur, up to 0.02% phosphorus, up to 0.5% nickel, up to 1.0% chromium, up to 0.1% magnesium, and the balance iron and up to 0.2% of other elements. The alloy is heat resistant and is suitable for use in producing, among other things, turbochargers, center housings, back plates, exhaust manifolds, and integrated turbo manifolds that are used in the automotive and truck manufacturing industries.