Abstract: A closing and/or regulating apparatus for tapping molten metal from the interior of the metallurgical vessel includes an inner refractory pipe having extending through a wall thereof at least one opening and an outer refractory pipe fitted over the inner pipe and having extending through a wall thereof at least one opening. Outer and inner surfaces of the inner and outer pipes, respectively, define mating sealing surfaces. One of the pipes is fixedly mounted to a metallurgical vessel, and the other pipe is movable axially and/or rotatably relative to the one pipe to thereby selectively bring the openings to the two pipes relatively into and out of alignment. The inner pipe has adjacent an inner end thereof at a position inwardly of the opening therein a closure closing the interior of the inner pipe. The outer pipe defines therein a space forming a gas distribution chamber at a location confronting the closure.

Abstract: Process for the production of refractory shapes of ceramic fiber-containing mateial, wherein a slurry of refractory fibers and particulate refractory materials is produced in water, the particulate refractory materials are flocculated on the fibers by use of a flocculant, and the desired shape is produced by dewatering the slurry in a suitable mold that enables the water to be removed, and the shape is dried. At least 90% of the fibers have a maximum length of not more than 500 .mu.m; flocculant is added as an aqueous solution to the dispersion of the fibers and particulate refractory material; and pressure is applied to the shape being formed during the dewatering of the slurry to form the desired shape in order to compress the shape.