Abstract: A stopper for a tap hole of a steel converter has a plug which can at least partly be fitted into the tap hole, and holding means for holding the plug in place in the tap hole. To avoid entry of slag into the tap hole, even on initial tipping, the plug is substantially cylindrical in shape and can be moved along the whole length of the tap hole. The holding means are adapted to lose their holding action when the stopper is subjected to the heat of the molten steel upon tipping of the converter.

Abstract: A device for the separation of slag insuring its retention in a tapping converter such as used in the steel industry consists of a closure having a specific gravity lower than that of the steel produced in the converter but higher than that of the slag provided with an elongated depending hexahedron shaped extension that tapers downwardly to a blunt end and acts as a vortex inhibitor within the swirl of molten metal occuring during the tapping of the metal to avoid formation of a suction funnel which typically draws the slag layer into a stream of metal being tapped.

Abstract: A sliding gate valve and more specifically one in which bilateral symmetry is preserved in both the stationary plate and the slide gate. More specifically, the slide gate is provided with a metallic frame which retains a monolithic refractory into which errosion resistant refractory inserts or preformed members are cast. Means are desirably provided to remove the spent refractory for remanufacture thereby reclaiming the casting. Both the stationary plate and the slide gate casting have spring pad back up reinforcements. The stationary plate desirably has means for securing a well nozzle to it.

Abstract: Provided for the tap hole in the bottom of a metallurgical vessel is a closure apparatus comprising a shut-off member which can close off the tap hole from below, and a pipe which is displaceable from above through the molten bath into a lowered blocking position in which it bears against the upper edge of the tap hole. An axially displaceable lance may be disposed in the pipe so that the pipe can be used for burning open the tap hole, by means of oxygen. Filling material which is capable of flow can also be introduced into the tap hole, through the pipe. The closure apparatus makes it possible to carry out a sump mode of operation, without tilting the vessel.

Abstract: A refractory plug for blocking the tap hole of a steel making vessel or transfer ladle containing molten steel covered by a layer of slag and for minimizing turbulence caused by vortexing. The plug comprises a body having an inverted cone-shaped bottom and having an integral top portion projecting axially from a top base surface of the cone-shaped bottom portion. The plug is added to the melt just prior to or during the tapping operation to minimize vortexing and to plug the tap hole prior to egress of the slag.

Abstract: A device for the separation of slag and its retention in a converter, ladle, or the like, consists of a closure commonly called a dart, adapted to be placed either manually or automatically in the tap hole of the converter or ladle during tapping of molten metal therefrom. The device may have smooth exterior surfaces or may include configurations enabling it to substantially close the tap hole and impart a swirling motion to the molten metal and slag therein. The device may be formed of material having a specific gravity lower than that of the metal in the converter or ladle, but higher than that of the slag thereon or alternately having a specific gravity higher than that of the metal to facilitate manual placement of the device in the tap hole.

Abstract: A stopper comprising a monoblock refractory body having a gas duct formed longitudinally within the body wherein the said duct extends through the nose of the stopper to an intermediate region within the length of the stopper at which region the duct is sealed by a gas-impermeable plug to prevent gas leakage from the duct through the stopper beyond said region, and wherein said duct and an integral narrow gas supply channel extending from said port to a gas supply inlet on the outside surface of the stopper adjacent the opposite end of the stopper from the nose.

Abstract: A stopper means to prevent melt leaving a metallurgical container, comprises at least one stopper rod and a corresponding tapping nozzle having a tap hole for the melt, a plunger being arranged substantially centrally in the stopper rod and being movable up and down through the tapping nozzle in order to prevent blockage of the tap hole. The device is characterized in that the plunger is movable into the tap hole from a normal position, in which the plunger is positioned completely above the maximum level of melt in the container.

Abstract: A device for placing a slag retaining device in a tap hole in a converter consists of a boom extensible into the converter, jaws on the boom detachably hold the slag retaining device, fixed base apparatus for manipulating the boom movably mounted on a fixed platform adjacent the converter to forcefully move the boom longitudinally vertically and horizontally so as to push the slag retaining device through the layer of slag in the converter and into the tap hole.

Abstract: A refractory conduit assembly for the transfer of molten steel from a discharge vessel to an ingot mold of a horizontal continuous casting plant includes a replaceable spout member adapted to be removably connected at a predetermined location to the refractory lining of a vessel. The spout member has therethrough a discharge channel to receive from the interior of the vessel a flow of molten steel. A shut off device is provided to interrupt the flow to the discharge channel. A casting tube has therethrough a flow passage with inlet and outlet ends. A coupling device connects the inlet end of the flow passage to the discharge channel, such that the flow of molten metal passes through the casting tube. The outlet end of the flow passage has an altered cross-sectional configuration adapted to that of the ingot mold. A nozzle has an inlet end connected to the casting tube and an outlet end having thereat a portion to sealingly contact walls of the ingot mold.

Abstract: A vortex inhibitor for use in tundishes, ladles, or metal making furnaces prevents the contamination of high quality molten steel by the slag layer which rides atop the surface of molten metal within such receptacles comprises a tapered polygonal body of castable refractory material whose specific gravity is less than the specific gravity of the molten metal but greater than the specific gravity of the slag. The refractory body is buoyantly supported at the interface of the layer of slag and the molten metal and includes a weighted apex so that the apex depends toward nozzle opening within receptacle. Thus, the body centers itself within the swirl of fluid generated during discharge of the fluid through the nozzle, and the inertia of the body substantially deenergizes the vortex so as to avoid formation of a suction funnel which typically draws the slag layer into and through the nozzle with the molten metal below the previously known critical level within the receptacle.

Abstract: A plug for closing the opening in the bottom of a top pouring ingot mold is comprised of a preformed plug body having top and bottom ends and an outer peripheral surface providing a contour generally corresponding with that of the mold opening to be plugged. The lower portion of the outer peripheral surface is provided with a coating of a thermally curable sealing composition having a heavy paste-like consistency, and the plug body and coating are enclosed in a heat shrinkable plastic film. In use, the plug is pushed into a plug opening in the bottom of an ingot mold which generally is hot from a previous casting operation, the plastic film disintegrates, the sealing material is squeezed so as to spread and fill the space between the mold opening and plug body, and the heat of the mold cures the sealing material to secure the plug in place and seal the peripheral space between the plug body and mold opening.

Abstract: A closure mechanism includes a conical discharge nozzle and a shielding tube fitted over the exterior of the discharge nozzle. A snug conical joint is formed by closely complementary conical surfaces of the discharge nozzle and the shielding tube. At least one ring-shaped seal is provided in such joint to prevent exterior air from entering between the discharge nozzle and the shielding tube into the interior of the shielding tube. The ring-shaped seal comprises an annular recess formed in one of the conical surfaces, thereby defining an annular chamber, and an inert gas filling such chamber.

Abstract: An elevated device suspended from an overhead support adjacent a converter adjustably positions a boom for relative vertical tilting and side to side motion. A carriage movable along the boom supports a boom extension and jaws on the boom extension releaseably hold a slag retaining device so that the same can be moved into a converter and positioned in the tap hole thereof.

Abstract: A self-opening closure for casting crucibles used in aluminothermic reactions and made of a high mechanical-strength, high boiling point inorganic material producing no gases when heated, the closure being composed of one or more sealing disk(s) made of a fibrous aluminum silicate, the ratio of the total thickness of the sealing disk(s) to its (their) diameter being 1:5 to 1:1, the melting point of the aluminum silicate being equal to or exceeding 1650.degree. C., and a metal plate between 0.1 and 3 mm thick mounted on the sealing disk(s).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for alloying continuously cast steel products wherein a wire of alloying material, e.g. lead, is fed through the center of the stopper rod to its nose where the wire melts and dissolves into the stream of liquid steel flowing out of the tundish. The guide passage for the wire and a cooperating hole in the nose of the stopper rod are temporarily closed by heat meltable means which prevents steel from entering and clogging the hole in the passage before a steady-state flow condition is achieved.

Abstract: High alumina slide gate compositions comprising aluminous grain, carbonaceous material, high purity alumina, silicon metal and resin.

Abstract: A pouring nozzle for an intermediate container of a strang casting device has a body part of a refractory material arranged in an opening of a bottom of the intermediate container, an elongated piece of refractory material associated with the body part and extending in the interior of the intermediate container, and a breakage point provided between the body part and the elongated piece at a height of the bottom of the intermediate container.

Abstract: Slag retention devices for use in a tapping converter, such as used in the steel industry, are positioned by a device incorporating a frame attachable to a support in the vicinity of the converter or placed on a movable carriage. The frame, which is movable relative to its support, positions an elongated boom and provides for the longitudinal movement of the boom so that one end of the same carrying a tap hole closure or dart can be positioned thereby through the charging opening of the converter and the closure or dart manipulated by movement of the elongated boom into registry with the tap hole of the converter and forcefully positioned therein.

Abstract: The invention is of a method for minimizing slag carryover when draining molten metal from a furnace and an article for use in the method. This article is a polyhedral-shaped body having density intermediate that of the slag and metal. When thrown onto the surface of the slag within a restricted area over the taphole, the body will float at the slag-metal interface, and tend to lodge with one of its corners projecting into the taphole as the final portion of remaining metal drains out of the furnace. The shape of the body and its dimensions are selected so as to only partially block the taphole opening, causing flaring of the stream so as to signal a furnace operator of the impending flow of slag from the furnace. The operator then shuts off flow to prevent carryover of slag onto the molten metal already tapped. Since only the edges of the body contact the taphole of the body does not become welded to the wall of the taphole and therefore is easily dislodged without loss of time between heats.

Abstract: Metal flow from furnace taphole to a pouring trough is controlled by a valve interposed therebetween, the valve having a stationary orificed valve plate and a companion slide plate for closing or opening the orifice to flow. An actuating beam member forming part of a parallel motion linkage extends upwardly and obliquely from the slide plate, the actuating member being thrust against the slide plate by a swinging spring strut of the linkage. A ram connected to the linkage via a crank, a shaft and a pivoted lever displaces the linkage when extended or contracted and this moves the actuating member along a predetermined path, its oblique attitude being preserved, to open or shut the valve.

Abstract: The method for preventing the inclusion of slag into the molten steel tapped from a converter is disclosed. Such method comprises immersing an elongated stopper in a molten steel contained in the converter until the stopper is positioned at a predetermined height above the inside opening of a tap hole, directing the elongated stopper to the inside opening irrespective of tilting of the converter such that the stopper could maintain the predetermined position while allowing a constant flow-out of the molten steel into the tap hole through the space formed between the stopper and the inside opening of the tap hole, and lowering the elongated stopper to close the tap hole when the slag floating above the molten steel is about to flow into the tap hole through the space, whereby the inclusion of the slag into the tapped molten steel can be prevented effectively. The apparatus which can efficiently conduct the above method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tundish provided with at least one stopper which moves towards or away from a casting outlet formed in the bottom tundish wall and with a burner placed in the vicinity of the outlet essentially comprises at least one casing which is placed around the casting outlet in such a manner as to surround the stopper at least to a partial extent and which can be put into communication with the burner.

Abstract: A head or slide plate for a molten-metal slide gate is formed by a refractory plate having an opening and a refractory ring positioned in the opening, with a ring of tar between the peripheries of the opening and refractory ring and which is isolated from the plate surfaces excepting for a passage filled with a porous refractory and through which the vaporized tar migrates to one of the slide surfaces when the plate and ring are heated by contact with the molten metal.