Abstract: The invention describes an article and method for reducing precipitation on a surface adjacent to a stream of molten steel that is flowing from one metallurgical vessel to a second metallurgical vessel or mold. The refractory article comprises a working surface having a perturbation that disrupts the laminar flow in a boundary layer adjacent to the surface. The resultant non-laminar flow reduces precipitation on the surface and provides a convenient point for the injection of inert gas. The method includes disrupting the laminar flow in a boundary layer adjacent to the working surface.

Abstract: The invention describes a refractory component (1, 4) provided with means of injecting or conveying (5, 16) gas and means of delivering said gas from an external wall of the component to said means of injection (5, 16), the means of delivery of the gas comprising a part of enlarged cross-section (7, 17) extending from an external wall of the component and a part of reduced cross-section (8, 18) communicating, at one end, with the inner end of the part of enlarged cross-section (7, 17) and, at the other end, with the means of injecting or conveying gas (5, 16), the said component also comprising a seal (12, 22) fitted against the inner end of the part of enlarged cross-section, said seal (12, 22), comprising an orifice at least partially in register with the communicating orifice (11, 21) between the parts of enlarged and reduced cross-section, which is characterised in that the seal (12, 22) presents a cross-section substantially similar to the cross-section of the enlarged part (7, 17).

Abstract: The invention concerns a pouring spout for the transfer of a molten metal from a tundish into a continuous-casting mold. The pouring spout includes a body comprising a tubular part defining an essentially vertical pouring channel and an essentially horizontal part defining a distribution channel. The tubular and horizontal parts are assembled together, notably by screwing. The vertical pouring channel has an upper end adapted to connect with a tundish and a lower end emptying into the distribution channel. The distribution channel includes at least two outlets adapted to distribute molten metal into the mold. An obstacle is located between the two channels and together with the lower part of the tubular part retains the molten metal in the pouring channel until transfer to the distribution channel.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a nozzle (1) for introducing a liquid metal into a mold for the continuous casting of metals, of the type comprising a tubular first part (2), one end of which is intended to be connected to a vessel containing said liquid metal and the other end of which emerges in a hollow second part (4) of elongate shape, at least one portion of the internal space (3) of which is oriented approximately perpendicular to said tubular first part (2), said hollow part (4) having an outlet (5, 6) at each of its ends, as well as one or more outlet orifices (7-17) provided in its bottom (18) and/or its lateral walls, a bar provided with holes (22, 22', 23-34) being placed in the internal space (3) of said hollow part (4) so that the liquid metal necessarily passes via said holes (22, 22', 23-34) before passing through said outlet orifices (7-17), wherein said bar (19, 38, 39, 41, 43) includes, on at least one portion of the width of its upper face, a raised part (20, 37, 42, 44) whose top lies alo