Abstract: Cooling plates for shaft furnaces, particularly blast furnaces, provided with refractory linings, are made of copper or a low-alloy copper alloy and are provided with cooling agent ducts in their interiors. Each cooling plate is manufactured from a rough forged or rolled ingot, wherein the cooling plate has a straight or planar inner side and the cooling ducts are blind-end bores extending in the interior of the cooling plate, wherein the cooling plate is provided at the edge thereof with side flanges, and wherein pipe connections are provided at the ends of the cooling ducts. The cooling body of the forged or rolled copper cooling plate provided with inner blind-end bores and vertical and/or horizontal side flanges on both sides has an arched outer side as well as a planar inner side.

Abstract: A cooling system for the hot isostatic pressurizing equipment which is provided with valves and actuators at the lower part of the equipment so that they are not subject to thermal deformation. The valves and actuators are installed independently from each other so as to eliminate a need for increasing the diameter of the vessel.The valve is attached to a lower vent hole formed in the radial direction in the supporting cylinder installed on the inner bottom closure. The valve is energized in its closing direction by a spring and is operated by the actuator installed on the outer bottom closure detachable from the inner bottom closure.

Abstract: A molten steel pouring nozzle having, along the axis thereof, a bore through which molten steel flows. At least part of an inner portion of the molten steel pouring nozzle, which inner portion forms the bore, is formed of a refractory consisting essentially of:______________________________________ zirconia clinker comprising calcium from 40 to 89 wt.%, zirconate where, a content of calcium oxide in the zirconia clinker being within a range of from 6 to 35 weight parts relative to 100 weight parts of the zirconia clinker; graphite from 10 to 35 wt.%, and crystal stabilized calcium silicate from 1 to 30 wt.%. comprising dicalcium silicate (2CaO.SiO.sub.2) and tricalcium silicate (3CaO.SiO.sub.

Abstract: A fixed plate member, and a movable plate member is mounted against the fixed plate member. The fixed plate member consists of a fixed metal support plate having a plane outer metal surface and a cutout in which is accommodated a wear part made of refractory material which is pierced with at least one pouring orifice. The lower refractory surface of the refractory wear part is flush with the plane outer metal surface of the fixed metal support plate. The major portion of the rubbing surface of the fixed plate member and contact with the movable plate member consists of only the plane outer metal surface, while only the remaining minor portion consists of the lower refractory surface of the wear part.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing and/or regulating the discharge or tapping of molten metal from a metallurgical vessel includes a refractory outer pipe member having therethrough a discharge passage defining outer and inner openings and a refractory inner pipe member positioned within the outer pipe member, the inner pipe member having therethrough a passage defining outer and inner openings. A first of the pipe members is movable with respect to a second of the pipe members between open and closed positions. In the opened position, the discharge passages of the pipe members are aligned to define a molten metal discharge channel for passage therethrough in a flow direction of molten metal from an inlet opening to an outlet opening of the discharge channel. The cross-sectional area of the discharge channel is a minimum at the inlet opening and is increased between the inlet opening and the outlet opening.

Abstract: A refractory plate unit for use as a sliding plate or as a stationary plate in a sliding closure unit at an opening of a metallurgical vessel includes a refractory plate having therethrough a discharge opening. A metal member is rigidly attached to the refractory plate and has a circular annular surface centered radially outwardly of the discharge opening and mating with substantially no free play with a complementary surface of a metal frame supporting the refractory plate unit.

Abstract: A nozzle for discharging molten metal from a vessel includes a porous inner sleeve surrounded by an impervious outer sleeve. The outer sleeve is cast in-situ around the inner sleeve, and is bonded in-situ to the outer surface of the inner sleeve in bonding areas adjacent its opposite ends. A gas chamber is defined between the inner and outer sleeves for receiving pressurized gas which passes through the inner sleeve to inhibit clogging and deterioration of the inner sleeve by molten metal and impurities. The gas chamber is formed by placing a heat fluidizable material around a portion of the inner sleeve before the outer sleeve is cast thereon. After casting of the outer sleeve, the assembly is heated to a temperature for fluidizing the fluidizable material which then escapes through the porous sleeve to leave a hollow gas chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for adding a predetermined amount of inoculant into a molten metal stream having a conveyor means which accurately provides a desired amount of inoculant to a holding chamber mechanism which becomes pressurized and delivers the inoculant under pressure into the molten metal stream. A programmable controller regulates the apparatus to inject accurately measured amounts of inoculant in an automated fashion into the molten metal stream as it fills varying sized molds.

Abstract: A heat treatment apparatus for thin spheroidal graphite cast iron products comprising a cast iron product remover for removing a thin spheroidal graphite cast iron product from a casting mold; a continuous furnace having an inlet positioned near the cast iron product remover, the continuous furnace comprising a uniform temperature zone kept at a temperature equal to or higher than an A.sub.3 transformation point of the thin spheroidal graphite cast iron product and a cooling zone downstream of the uniform temperature zone; a first conveying means for the thin cast iron product disposed between the cast iron product remover and the inlet of the continuous furnace; and a second conveying means for the thin cast iron product moving through the continuous furnace, the thin cast iron product being conveyed to the second conveying means by means of the first conveying means immediately after removed from the casting mold and introduced into the continuous furnace by means of the second conveying means.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a hydraulic ram mounted on a movable support designed to be placed in line with the axis of the tuyere or tymp so as to bear on the furnace wall and to act on a gripper composed of two telescopic members respectively displaceable relative to one another in the axial direction of the tuyere or of the tymp in order to ensure the support of the latter, said gripper being axially displaceable through the action of said ram. The hydraulic ram is a double piston ram comprising a traction piston acting on a pulled member of the gripper and a thrust piston acting on a propelled member of the gripper, and is consequently suitable for all forms of tuyeres and tymps.

Abstract: A fluid cooled cutting torch includes a hollow handle, a torch butt assembly, a torch head, supply tubes for preheat gas, preheat oxygen and cutting oxygen and cooling fluid supply and drainage conduits. The torch head is adapted to interchangeably receive a premix or postmix cutting torch nozzle. The cooling supply conduit extends through the torch butt assembly and within the torch handle to a point adjacent the torch head. The cooling system provides effective cooling of the torch head and even cooling of the torch handle. The torch is easily manufactured at low cost. The torch may be readily converted from a premix torch to a postmix torch.

Abstract: A sliding closure unit includes a movable plate movable between open and closed positions to control the discharge of molten metal through an outlet opening of a metallurgical vessel. When the movable plate is in the closed position, a continuous flow of gas is injected from a gas supply system through the area of the movable plate confronting the outlet opening into the outlet opening. When a predetermined gas back pressure occurs in the gas supply system, indicative of solidification of molten metal in the outlet opening, at least one pressurized gas jet at a pressure of at least 12 bar is injected from a compressed gas supply system into the outlet opening, thereby clearing away any solidified metal from the outlet opening. This makes it possible to ensure that, when the movable plate is moved to the open position, the molten metal will be discharged through the outlet opening at a full flow rate of discharge.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a cutting head made of a cutting nozzle (2) with cutting oxygen duct (6) having radial ribs (11), the assembly being force fitted in a sheath (3) thus forming ducts of oxycombustible mixture (32). This nozzle which produces an improved heat dissipation can be made of reduced dimensions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a container for materials, preferably scrap iron for steel production and intended to be placed on a stand in a preheating station in order that the scrap iron shall be heated up to a high temperature. The container includes an essentially cylindrical upper part and a lower part comprising openable bottom halves. The upper part of the container (1) and each bottom half (4) comprise a gas-tight shell (2;15) and a load-carrying frame-work (5,6,7,8;10,11,12,13) positioned outside the shell (2;15) and functioning as a support for the gastight shell.

Abstract: A method of removing non-metallic inclusions from a molten metal by allowing the molten metal to pass through at least first and second vessels which are intermediate between a ladle and a mold. The molten metal is made to stay in the vessel for a period not shorter than 40 seconds while a horizontal rotation is imparted to the molten metal in the first vessel. The molten metal is then transferred from the first vessel to the second vessel. The molten metal in the second vessel is then heated. This method is suitably carried out by an apparatus comprising a first vessel having a discharge opening at its bottom and surrounded by a rotational magnetic field generating device for centrifugation of the molten metal in the first vessel, and a second vessel for receiving the molten metal discharged from the first vessel and provided with a heating device for heating the molten metal received therein.

Abstract: A compact lance, for tuyeres. The lance provides a compact and secure holder by providing a bushing between a collet chuck and a gasket sleeve. This bushing can move axially inside an inner hole of the handle, but cannot rotate in the hole. The bushing acts on the collet chuck to keep it immobile. Twisting of the tuyere is prevented by a slot in the bushing, a radial hole in the handle and a locator screw. By turning the locator screw down to the outer jacket of the tuyere, there is a fastening of the tuyere inside the tuyere holder. There is also a gas and slag holdback valve in the handle and a streamlined quick-action stop valve. A rapid closing valve is also provided and operated by means of an ergonomically designed operating lever.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the detection with measuring techniques of the temperature course of a metal or metal alloy melt in a container (39) which is influenceable by a heating device (22 to 24) and a cooling device (33). The temperature course is herein detected via a thermal camera (49) which is directed toward the region of the solidification front (48) of the melt. The data supplied by the thermal camera (49) are used for the purpose of determining the thermal gradient along on a coordinate of the container (39) and to control the heating device (22 to 24) according to the thermal gradient. Moreover, the data supplied by the thermal camera (49) are used for the determination of the solidification velocity of the melt to regulate the cooling device (33) in accordance with this solidification velocity.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for thermal surface-hardening of metal workpieces, in particular of shaft ends, by means of a laser source with which, if necessary, with relative movement of workpiece and laser source, the workpiece surface to be hardened is heated sectionally by laser radiation. In accordance with the invention, the laser radiation is irradiated essentially uniformly in a hardening zone that extends in a principal direction, at least approximately over the entire workpiece surface to be hardened.

Abstract: A vessel for processing steel under vacuum is provided and includes a vessel body, a cover placed thereupon in a vacuum-tight manner, and a connection for a vacuum pump. To heat the vessel a heating mechanism is provided that comprises a graphite rod that extends diametrically through the vessel, with contact studs being provided at the ends of the graphite rod for the transfer of electrical power. To increase the service life of the graphite rods, the rod with its contact studs is fixably held in position on the vessel wall at one end, and at the opposite end the rod is displaceably disposed relative to the vessel wall. To compensate the force originating from the vacuum that prevails in the vessel, a compensating mechanism that is acted upon by the vacuum of the vessel is provided for supporting the moveable mounting of the graphite rod.

Abstract: In an apparatus for feeding a sintering raw mix, a plurality of bars downwardly sloped in a falling direction of the sintering raw mix onto a pallet of a sintering apparatus is provided so that the falling direction of the raw mix is opposite to the advancing direction of the pallet, a screen is formed by rotatably supporting the bars, and the upper ends of the bars are connected to a rotating drive(s).