Abstract: An apparatus for replacing a tap hole insert in a furnace includes a drill detachably mounted to a drive shaft in a boom arm of a utility machine with the drill adapted to remove the existing tap hole inserts to be replaced from outside of the furnace interior, and a tap hole insert tool detachably mounted to the boom arm of the utility machine with the tap hole insert tool adapted to hold and insert tap hole inserts into the furnace tap hole from outside the furnace interior. The drill is provided with a locking pattern having alternating inserts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for replacing the tap hole liner of a Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF/QBOP/AOD and all other types of converter vessels) includes a multi-purpose movable utility vehicle, a water-cooled self-centering drill removably attached to the multi-purpose utility vehicle, and a tap hole liner installation guide removably attached to the multi-purpose utility vehicle in place of the water-cooled self-centering drill attachment.

Abstract: A crustbreaking assembly comprising elongated rails supported on a frame and a carriage moveable along the length of the rails. A slide assembly pivotally mounted on the carriage for rotation about an axis which is substantially parallel to the rails. A hammer assembly mounted on the slide assembly with a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the rails and including a reciprocable cutting bit which reciprocates along the longitudinal axis of the hammer assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing deposits from the interior surface of a vessel wall including an elongated support column having its upper end attached to a cable to position the support column vertically within the vessel. A hammer assembly pivotally and rotatably attached to the lower end of the support column and a plurality of cylinders having one end pivotally connected to the lower end of the support column and a contact member at the other end for contacting the inner surface of the vessel wall to position the hammer assembly horizontally within the vessel. A motor on the lower end of the support column to rotate the hammer assembly about the longitudinal axis of the support column and hydraulic cylinders connected to the hammer assembly to pivot the hammer assembly relative to the longitudinal axis of the support column and to slide the hammer assembly relative to the longitudinal axis of the support column to position the bit on the hammer relative to the inner surface of the vessel wall.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning hard deposits from the interior wall of a digester vessel. The apparatus includes a work platform assembled within the interior of the vessel from a plurality of prefabricated frame elements introduced into the vessel through a limited access port formed in the vessel wall. The work platform has an open central region to permit passage around a central shaft and radial paddles vertically disposed within the vessel. The platform is raised and lowered within the vessel by cables attached to motors. The apparatus further includes a ring-shaped guide rail on the work platform and a hydraulically activated impact hammer carried on a support arm assembly. The support arm assembly has one end releasably secured to the central shaft within the vessel and the other end supports a motor-driven roller cluster for travel along the guide rail.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning the inside of a metallurgical vessel including an inclined foundation and ways on the inclined foundation to support the carriage of a mobile cleaning device. The mobile cleaning device has a carriage which moves along the ways on said inclined foundation. The mobile cleaning device has a pivotally mounted boom with a rotary shaft having a cutting head mounted on its end and bits on the cutting head. A support stand is located adjacent the upper end of the inclined foundation for holding a metallurgical vessel in a stationary position during cleaning.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning accumulated spent alumina, dross, aluminum pads, refractories and carbon rods from an aluminum cell including a first platform supported on outrigger members for spanning the open top of the aluminum cell. The ends of the outrigger members carry edge clamping and traveler devices thereon which are alternately activated by hydraulic cylinders. In a locked position, the outrigger arms resist lateral and upward forces imposed by the digging and cleaning tools of the apparatus. In an unlocked position, the traveler devices support the outrigger members on an adjacent surface for movement along the cell. A turntable carrying a second platform is rotatably mounted on the first platform to permit 360.degree. rotation of the second platform. A mounting head is pivotally mounted on the second platform and carries an elongated extensible boom for controlled 360.degree. rotation about the longitudinal axis of the boom.

Abstract: An improved cleaning apparatus for the removal of carbonaceous deposits from the inner surfaces of the ascension pipe elbows and ascension pipe employed on coke ovens. The cleaning apparatus is comprised of a base support, a movable support and a cleaning element. The base support is mounted on a larry car and the movable support is superimposed upon and connected to the base support. The cleaning element is pivotally attached to the movable support and is equipped with a cleaning head mounted on the end of an arm and means for moving the arm in and out of the pipe which is to be cleaned.

Abstract: The exhaust hood above a metallurgical furnace, where the furnace has an open top and is supported to move in a vertical arc beneath the hood from an upright position to tilt in one direction to a charging position and in the other direction to a tapping position, terminates in an opening which is usually circular and of a diameter such that it may receive gases and dust from the open top of the furnace when the furnace is tilted to one side or the other, as well as when it is vertical. A frame structure supported above the opening in the hood and arranged to be shifted horizontally relative to the hood has a panel suspended therefrom with operating means on the frame for swinging the panel in a vertical arc from a storage position where it is removed from the space between the top of the furnace and the hood downwardly to a level below the open end of the hood and then upwardly against the bottom of the hood to close the greater portion of the bottom of the hood and leave but a segment of the bottom open.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing and replacing blast furnace tuyeres. The apparatus is indexed with the centerline of the tuyere and downcomer from the bustle pipe to permit removal and replacement of the blowpipe-elbow, tuyere and tuyere cooler.

Abstract: A low profile soaking pit machine for breaking and removing slag from a soaking pit. The machine has a low horizontal profile above the soaking pit to permit a soaking pit cover carriage to pass over the machine when the machine is resting on the soaking pit. The machine has a supporting frame and a means for rotatably and pivotally supporting a demolition tool downwardly from the horizontal frame. The tool breaks the slag. A second means couples the first means to the horizontal frame and raises and lowers the first means above the horizontal frame from a collapsed position which provides the low horizontal profile.