Abstract: A method is provided for on-line monitoring of the wear of a refractory lining of a blast furnace and for extending the life of said lining. The method includes determining the wear line of the lining from signals of temperature probes embedded at spaced locations across the thickness of the refractory using a one dimensional heat transfer model to locate a first approximation of a solidification isotherm of hot metal in the furnace, using the one dimensional heat transfer approximation as an initial boundary in a moving boundary calculation of a two dimensional heat transfer model and iterating the two dimensional model to find a final location of the isotherm by minimizing the difference between the measured and predicted temperatures of the thermoprobes.

Abstract: A two stage reaction for the production of steel from iron carbide is carried out in two separate but interrelated reactors. In the first reactor, iron, carbide, with slag formers, is fed into a feed end and the reaction is well-mixed by the vessel geometry, the stirring action below-surface injection of oxygen and iron carbide feed, and the evolution of gases from the liquid metal bath. The product, containing about 0.5-2% carbon, is fed into the second reactor where it is refined with subsurface-injected oxygen. The second reaction is autogenous, and the evolved carbon monoxide is fed to the first reactor where it is burned with oxygen in a foamy slag, which, with post-combustion burning in the slag of CO evolved in the first reactor, and with iron carbide preheating with the sensible heat of the off-gas from the first reaction, makes that reaction also essentially autogenous.

Abstract: A desulfurization composition contains from about 3% to about 20% particulate metallic aluminum, about 5% to about 30% particulate alumina, about 0.5% to about 12% particulate hydrocarbon material or other gas generating composition and the balance lime plus impurities. Preferably aluminum dross is the source of aluminum and alumina. The desulfurization composition is injected into molten iron from a blast furnace preferably in an amount of 4 to 20 pounds desulfurizer per ton of hot metal. The desulfurizing composition can be injected as a blend or co-injected into the hot metal through a lance using a carrier gas or dumped into the hot metal as it is being poured into the ladle. At least for torpedo ladles, the desulfurization composition can be placed in the ladle before the hot metal is poured into it.

Abstract: A sliding gate valve comprising a chamber (22), a stationary mounted plate (2) and a sliding plate (1) that is movable in relation to said stationary plate, and sliding plate being supported within a slide frame (20) that is movable in relation to the chamber (22), and of spring elements (10) which press the sliding plate against the stationary plate (2). The slide frame (20) has a shape in the form of a trough, of which the upper longitudinal edges (17) protrude laterally outwardly and form slide surfaces (18) that correspond to the slide surfaces (19) of the chamber during operation.

Abstract: Continuous electrolytic tin plating is accomplished in a bath containing 90-160 g/L sulfuric acid, 40-70 g/L tin ion and a grain refiner, at a speed of 900-1600 feet per minute and a current density as much as 1500 amperes per square foot or more.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the size and area coverage of surface carbides formed during the box annealing of steel strip. In one aspect the method includes providing a casting consisting essentially of, by weight percent, 0.08% max. carbon, 1.0% max. manganese, 0.06% max. aluminum, up to 0.1% max. chromium, up to 0.1% max. titanium, up to 0.1% max. niobium and up to 0.1% max. vanadium. The casting is hot rolled to strip and then cold rolled. After cold rolling the strip is box annealed at a temperature above the A.sub.1 temperature. The strip is cooled from the A.sub.1 temperature such that the rate of cooling is at least 30.degree. C./hour through the range of from about 727.degree. C. to about 700.degree. C. In another aspect the invention includes casting a steel of the aforementioned composition wherein the vanadium is at least 0.015%. The invention includes steel products made according to the methods just described.

Abstract: An enameling steel having excellent strength after fire includes up to 0.008% C, 0.25-0.35% Mn, 0.03-0.05 Al, 0.010 to 0.014 N and 0.020-0.025 Nb.

Abstract: A method of producing high strength steel sheet and formed articles fabricated from the sheet and containing about 0.01-0.3 free and uncombined atomic percent Ti, Nb or V as strengthening element, by hot rolling or hot rolling plus cold rolling the sheet within limited temperature ranges, annealing the rolled sheet or formed articles at a temperature of about 1275.degree.-1350.degree. F. to provide a (111) grain structure, nitriding the annealed sheet or formed article in an annealing furnace at a temperature of about 800.degree.-1250.degree. F. under fully developed laminar gas flow, and controlling the strengthening of the steel article as a function of steel composition, the nitriding gas composition, nitriding time, nitriding temperature, thickness of the steel sheet and depth of strengthening desired, in accordance with specified relationships, to provide a steel article having an 0.2% off-set yield strength after temper rolling of at least about 40 ksi and an r value in excess of about 1.

Abstract: A drift gauge sticker remover comprises a base, a frame mounted on the base and extending into the pass line of a powered drift gauge rod. The frame has a slot in which is mounted a pin supporting the top ends of a pivoted front plate and a back plate in a manner such that the plates can slidably move within the slot. The back plate is biased by a first spring means and a second spring means holds the front plate at an angle to the pass line in a rest position. An hydraulic cylinder/piston assembly moves the plates away from and toward a casing to be gauged. Each of the plates has an aperture in the pass line, that in the front plate is at an angle to the pass line such that, when the front plate is pivoted toward a vertical position, the edges of the aperture therein grip the drift gauge rod and apply a bending moment thereto to dislodge a stuck drift gauge.

Abstract: A two stage reaction for the production of steel from iron carbide is carried out in two separate but interrelated reactors. In the first reactor, iron carbide, with slag formers, is fed into a feed end and the reaction is well-mixed by the vessel geometry, the stirring action below-surface injection of oxygen and iron carbide feed, and the evolution of gases from the liquid metal bath. The product, containing about 0.5-2% carbon, is fed into the second reactor where it is refined with subsurface-injected oxygen. The second reaction is autogenous, and the evolved carbon monoxide is fed to the first reactor where it is burned with oxygen in a foamy slag, which, with post-combustion burning in the slag of CO evolved in the first reactor, and with iron carbide preheating with the sensible heat of the off-gas from the first reaction, makes that reaction also essentially autogenous.

Abstract: A post-combustion lance for use in refining molten metal and recovering heat by combustion of combustible gases evolved from the molten metal bath is provided with a plurality of pairs of post-combustion nozzles arranged about the periphery of the lance above the lower end thereof. The nozzles of each pair are directed downwardly toward the lower end of the lance and at an angle to a radius of the lance, such that supersonic oxygen jets emanating from corresponding nozzles of adjacent pairs intersect, whereby the momentum of the individual supersonic jets is partially cancelled thereby forming a single, subsonic oxygen jet which burns combustible off-gases above the surface of the molten metal bath, reducing heat loss by the anti-post-combustion reaction and minimizes furnace lining wear due to shorter flames.

Abstract: Ingress of gas such as air through the joint of a pour tube and tube holder of a continuous caster is prevented or inhibited by passing an inert gas into a circumferential channel around the orifice and at the interface of the joint; the gas is evenly distributed within the channel over the entire configuration of a porous refractory insert in the circumferential channel; the porous refractory insert assures even distribution of the gas to the desired location in the joint.

Abstract: In the continuous casting of steel, gas is prevented or inhibited from contacting molten steel through the valve slide plate by feeding inert gas through channels in the slide plate and adjacent parts; the channels contain porous refractory inserts and can be connected to outside sources through juxtaposed side channels.

Abstract: In a high-speed electrogalvanizing process, steel strip is protected from the formation of troublesome zinc nodules by masking the edges of the strip, while the strip is moving and upstream from the electrogalvanizing step, with an ultraviolet curable coating, and curing the coating, while the strip is moving, prior to introduction to the electrogalvanizing step.

Abstract: A method of recovering steel plant waste revert materials including blast furnace flue dust and sludges involves mixing the revert materials with water to provide a total moisture content of about 14-20% by weight, then adding Portland cement as a sole binder, mixing, and, when the water content is limited to about 18 to 20%, casting the mixture onto the ground in the form of a slab or, when the water content is limited to about 14 to 16% and an accelerator for curing the cement is used, casting the mixture onto a conveyor in the form of preformed streams, curing the cast mixture and breaking it up to provide 1/2 inch to 5 inch agglomerate particles that can be recycled to the blast furnace.

Abstract: A coke oven door, which includes a metal frame, means for latching the door in a closed position, a sealing member extending around the perimeter of the frame having forward edges adapted to contact a sealing surface on a coking chamber door jamb for effecting a continuous seal. The coke oven battery also having at least one attached protrusion proximate the coking chamber extending outwardly from the battery, such as a latch or a guide bar, said door comprising a door plug passing with clearance and fitting into the coke oven, said plug having an inner surface that forms an interior end wall of the coke oven wherein a first plane is formed by the perimeter of said inner surface.

Abstract: A process for recovering iron values from waste iron oxide, especially iron oxide dust from steelmaking furnaces, wherein the iron oxide is mixed with a water-insoluble thermoplastic material and heated to melt the plastic to form a binder for the iron oxide particles, and discrete bodies formed of the mixture are returned to a furnace to recover the iron values. The plastic binder is present in an amount sufficient to serve as a reductant to reduce the iron oxide to metallic iron when the plastic is combusted with oxygen in the furnace. The invention also includes the discrete bodies so formed of iron oxide and thermoplastic binder.

Abstract: In the fabricating of a mandrel bar, a plurality of used mandrel bar segments are provided, each of which has a central bore comprising a smooth surface portion and a threaded portion. Each segment has a circumferential recess at an end thereof and a bevelled surface adjoining the recess and extending inwardly of the segment at an angle to the vertical. A coupling has a smooth central boss section and threaded ends. A connection is made by threadedly connecting the ends of the coupling with a pair of opposed mandrel segments, with the smooth boss of the coupling fitting inside the smooth portion of the bore of each segment to effect, with the threaded joint, a straight, tight joint. A weld groove of gull-shaped cross-section is provided between the opposed ends of a pair of mandrel segments, having a body portion formed by a pair of opposed bevelled surfaces and wings formed by a pair of opposed recesses.

Abstract: A drift gauge rod pushing device comprises a base, a frame mounted on the base and extending into the pass line of a powered drift gauge rod. The frame has a slot in which is mounted a pin supporting the top ends of a pivoted front plate and a back plate in a manner such that the plates can slidably move within the slot. The back plate is biased by a first spring means and a second spring means holds the front plate at an angle to the pass line in a rest position. An hydraulic cylinder/piston assembly moves the plates away from and toward a casing to be gauged. Each of the plates has an aperture in the pass line, that in the front plate is at an angle to the pass line such that, when the front plate is pivoted toward a vertical position, the edges of the aperture therein grip the drift gauge rod and apply a bending moment thereto to dislodge a stuck drift gauge.

Abstract: A refractory article is provided for the prevention of vortexing in molten metal as it is drained through a nozzle in a metallurgical vessel. The article has at least on rib extending substantially radially outwardly from an opening therein for draining of molten metal from the vessel, said rib protruding upwardly from an inner surface of the article so as to prevent the formation of rotating boundary layer flow within the molten metal.