Abstract: Apparatus and methods of abating the objectionable emissions of volatile hydrocarbons generated during the preheating cycle of a twin vessel electric arc furnace steelmaking operation wherein the vessels cycle between a powered or melting state and an unpowered state. During the unpowered state, scrap charged to the non-powered vessel is preheated. The spent off-gases from the non-powered vessel may contain toxic and/or noxious hydrocarbons therein by virtue of certain plastics and/or grease/oils mixed with the scrap being preheated. The spent off-gas from the preheat vessel is delivered to a combustion chamber to be mixed with a hot off-gas diverted from the powered vessel. The temperature of the mixed off-gases in the combustion chamber is raised to a critical temperature to burn/crack the objectionable hydrocarbons, which may include dioxins and furans.

Abstract: A bumper system for use on automatic guided vehicles includes a bumper, a pair of double-action, spring biased hinges, and a pair of switches cooperating with the hinges. The bumper is an arcuate, resilient strip which extends across the entire forward portion of the vehicle and is fixed at its opposite ends to the hinges. Upon engagement with an obstruction, the bumper flexes and pivots either of the hinges. Such movement by the hinges is sensed by the switches which, in turn, cooperate with the drive control system to stop the vehicle.

Abstract: A varying length vibrating mold assembly for a continuous caster comprises a cooling jacket with an upper stationary portion and a lower removable portion. A tubular mold and an inner wall of the cooling jacket can be made to correspond to the varying length for the cooling jacket.