Abstract: Methods and apparatus for removing condensed metal from the surfaces of metal processing chambers, such as, vacuum induction melting (VIM) furnaces having, for example, condensed Mg or Ti, are disclosed. The methods and apparatus provide a robotic arm end positioned in the furnace having a nozzle operatively connected to a source of dry ice. The robotic arm end directs a stream of dry ice particles against the surface of the furnace to displace condensed metal. The displaced metal is collected for reuse or disposal. Aspects of the invention provide a safe and automated process for cleaning process chambers and recovering metal that can typically be dangerous when performed by conventional methods.

Abstract: A method and system for method for removing solid accretions from a copper anode or holding furnace using coherent jet lance assembly directed towards the solid accretions in the bottom portion of the copper anode furnace to melt the solid accretions over an extended period of time without damage to the furnace refractory proximate a point of stream impingement.

Abstract: Reservoir for a dispense system designed to maintain a suspending fluid flow within the reservoir. The fluid dispense system is particularly well suited to be manufactured in a single-use format comprising a fluid reservoir and fill tube assembly, particularly comprising a reservoir, tubing, fittings and connectors, and a needle. The system ensures uniformity within the liquid by moving the fluid through the product reservoir such as with a continuous or pulsating flow, and is designed to maintain the fluid in motion in order to maintain a homogenous solution. The reservoir is designed to minimize any fluid dead zones.

Abstract: A direct smelting plant for producing molten metal from metalliferous feed material includes a pretreatment unit for pretreating metalliferous feed material and producing pretreated feed material, a direct smelting vessel for smelting pretreated metalliferous feed material to molten metal and a hot feed material transfer apparatus for transferring pretreated metalliferous feed material from the pretreatment unit to a solids delivery device of the direct smelting vessel. The transfer apparatus includes a hot feed material storage device, a hot feed material transfer line, device for unblocking the hot feed material transfer line and a pressurising device. The hot feed material transfer apparatus includes a device for returning pretreated metalliferous feed material to the pretreatment unit.

Abstract: Method intended to unblock enriched air blow or reaction gases nozzles in reactors or fusion converters for mining industry pyrometallurgy CHARACTERIZED by the injection of discrete air impacts with time intervals regulated to high pressure and rate through the enriched air blow or reaction gases nozzles; thus, the air impacts penetrate into the melting bath of such reactors or converters, producing the breaking of blocking accretions that dug the flow of such a enriched air or gas through the nozzle and forming, because the cooling provoked by the penetration of them, a directed accretion with material of the melting bath which is solidified by the cooling effect, allowing that the production of directed accretion be a natural lengthening of the tube of nozzle from the inner wall of these reactors or converters, and by this way to allow that the O2-enriched air blowing through the nozzle enters deeper in the melting bath, to a distance where breaking waves of this flow are generated far of the wall that has

Abstract: An electric composite rotating machine haveing two rotors, capable of developing mechanical power and of runing on two rotational direction at selfadjutable speeds, of differential type, with 40% increase of output, doubling the torque at 30% reduction of used electrical energy.

Abstract: When a hot-rolled steel strip 1 is rolled at a large rolling reduction by a cold-rolling mill 4, cracking and interlayer peeling occur in those mill-scales which can not keep up with the elongation of base steel so as to weaken the adhesiveness of the mill-scales to the base steel. When such a steel strip is then brushed, the threads of the brush penetrate into the cracks formed in the scale layer, whereby the mill-scales are removed from the steel strip. The rolling reduction R (%) is set to satisfy the formula of t×R≧150 in relation with the thickness t (&mgr;m) of the mill-scales. The mill-scales weakened in adhesiveness by the heavy-duty rolling are removed from the surface of the steep strip 1 by brush rolls 5 provided in the pass of the steel strip 1 between the cold-rolling mill 4 and the bridle rolls 5.

Abstract: A cleaning system comprises a compressor for delivering pressurized air to an accumulator via a valve controlled line. An outlet line extends from the accumulator and terminates adjacent a furnace floor drain. Upon command the entire volume of pressurized air is instantaneously released from the accumulator for discharge out the outlet line and through the furnace drain. The relatively cooler, high pressurized air blasts impacts, vibrates and chills any slag deposits accumulating about the drain so as to remove the same. An alternative nozzle is disclosed which disperses the high impact blast about the drain.

Abstract: A cleaning system comprises a compressor for delivering pressurized air to an accumulator via a valve controlled line. An outlet line extends from the accumulator and terminates adjacent a furnace floor drain. Upon command the entire volume of pressurized air is instantaneously released from the accumulator for discharge out the outlet line and through the furnace drain. The relatively cooler, high pressurized air blasts impacts, vibrates and chills any slag deposits accumulating about the drain so as to remove the same. An alternative nozzle is disclosed which disperses the high impact blast about the drain.

Abstract: This device comprises a fixed support constituted by a cylindrical collar 14, through which the lance 5 may be axially displaced and scraping fingers 16 whose extremities, which comprise cleaving means 21, may be held substantially in contact with the lance. A clearance is arranged, between the lance and the collar, which is sufficient to allow the accretions 12 of materials which it is desired to remove from the lance to pass through. While the lance is being raised, the extremities of the fingers cleave the accretions until they are totally broken off from the lance and can then fall into the vessel.The device is particularly applicable to the unclogging of oxygen lances used in steelworks converters.

Abstract: During the operation of an oxygen-fuel burner the supply of fuel is reduced to generate an oxygen-rich low velocity flame. The excess oxygen of the flame is heated by the flame and oxidizes any slag accumulated on or about the burner.

Abstract: A silencer for use with a tuyere puncher is disclosed. The silencer comprises a chamber having a front face and a rear face provided with a central opening for passing of the punch bar operated by the puncher, a plurality of closure members located in the rear portion of the chamber and mounted for movement toward and away from the longitudinal axis of the chamber and including means for forcing the closure members against the periphery of the punch bar so as to form a seal between the closure members and the punch bar, and a seal secured to the front face of the chamber for engaging the tuyere to seal such a tuyere before penetration of the punch bar through the tuyere valve. The silencer is mounted on a mobile table which is supported by the puncher and operated in synchronism with the punch bar.