Abstract: The present disclosure concerns an apparatus suitable for smelting and separating metals in flexible oxido-reduction conditions. More particularly, it concerns an apparatus for smelting metallurgical charges comprising a bath furnace susceptible to contain a molten charge up to a determined level, characterized in that the furnace is equipped with: at least one non-transfer plasma torch for the generation of first hot gases; at least one oxygas burner for the generation of second hot gasses; and, submerged injectors for injecting said first and second hot gases below said determined level.

Abstract: To improve the position of a cylindrical ceramic hollow body the invention relates to a securing device for use with a gas purging brick, where the securing device has the following characteristics in its operational position: A base body which, with its bottom and a circumferential wall, defines a cylindrical space with a corresponding central longitudinal axis, the bottom features an opening whose longitudinal axis aligns with the central longitudinal axis the bottom features a ring-shaped channel which extends concentrically around the opening. at least an inner wall of the channel which is adjacent to the opening consists of a material which is plastically ductile under the application of pressure, a ring-shaped compact whose radial wall cross-section increases in size upwards from a lower free end, so that the inner wall of the channel deforms plastically, thereby reducing the cross section of the opening, after the compact is pressed into the channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tilting mechanism for a tilting metallurgical vessel, in particular a converter, around a horizontal axis, comprising a rotatable shaft and at least one tilting drive mechanism for rotating the vessel about the axis, the at least one tilting drive mechanism has a fixed part and a moving part, wherein the moving part of the at least one tilting drive mechanism is directly connected to one end of the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: An iron production furnace equipment (1) has a melting reactor (2) into which iron oxide-containing raw material (4) and slag formers (5) are added. A melter arrangement (22) melts the iron oxide-containing raw material and transforms the melted raw material into liquid slag (6) A smelting reduction reactor (3) is connected to the melting reactor by a slag transfer arrangement (10). The smelting reduction reactor comprises a heater arrangement (30) for heating the slag. Means (32) for supplying a reductant (7) for reducing the iron oxide in the slag into a liquid iron melt (8) and for producing a combustible gas mixture (11) comprising at least one of CO and H2. A gas connection (12) is connected between the smelting reduction reactor and the melter arrangement. The melter arrangement in turn comprises a combuster (28) combusting the gas mixture. The combustion heat is used for purpose of melting.

Abstract: A melting reduction assembly (1) has a melting gasification zone, including a packed bed (4) formed by solid carbon carriers and ferrous input materials, the zone has a lower section for receiving liquid pig iron (6) or raw steel material and liquid slag (7), a tap (9) for liquid slag and liquid pig iron. A plurality of oxygen nozzles (5) supplies oxygen. The nozzles are in at least two nozzle planes arranged spaced apart from each other and parallel in the vertical direction and horizontally distributed over the circumstances of the shell (10) of the melting reduction assembly (1) and arranged offset to each other in their respective nozzle planes.

Abstract: An apparatus for condensing metal vapors has at least one inlet conduit that is cooled to cause a portion of the metal vapor to condense to liquid. The apparatus also has a holding tank that is connected to the inlet conduit that collects condensed liquid metal. The apparatus also has at least one outlet conduit connected to the holding tank that is cooled to cause a portion of the remaining metal vapor to condense to solid metal. The apparatus also has at least one heater that heats the at least one outlet conduit to cause the solid metal to melt to liquid metal and subsequently flow in to the holding tank. The apparatus also has at least one sealing mechanism located at a distal end of the at least one outlet conduit for preventing metal vapor and carrier gas from exiting the outlet conduit during heating of the outlet conduit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise a preheater for preheating a ladle for use in steelmaking wherein less fuel is consumed in heating the ladle efficiently and accurately to a controlled temperature. A preheater temperature is varied by controlling a burner of the heating unit based on measurements of refractories of the ladle taken by a pyrometer. The heating unit of the preheater includes an emissive coating for reducing heat loss and efficient heating during the preheating process. The heating unit of the preheater also includes valve mechanisms for accurately varying a flame size of the burner by regulating the rate of fuel, air, and oxygen supplied to the heating unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the separation and recovery of non-ferrous metals from zinc-bearing residues, in particular from residues produced by the zinc manufacturing industry. The process comprises the steps of:—subjecting the residue to a flash or agitated bath fuming step, thereby producing an Fe bearing slag and Zn- and Pb-bearing fumes; and—extracting the Zn- and Pb-bearing fumes and valorizing Zn and Pb; characterized in that CaO, SiO2 and MgO are added as a flux before or during the fuming step so as to obtain a final slag composition with: formula (I) all concentrations being expressed in wt %. The invention also relates to a single-chamber reactor for Zn-fuming equipped with one or more submerged plasma torches as heat and gas sources. [ Fe ] [ SiO 2 ] + [ CaO ] [ SiO 2 ] + [ Mg ? O ] 3 > 3.5 ; ? ? 0.1 < [ CaO ] [ SiO 2 ] < 1.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in metal melting, refining and/or other processing, such as, for example, steel making in an electric arc furnace (EAF), and more particularly, to improved burner/injector panels and related methods for the introduction of various energy sources, such as, for example, chemical energy, oxygen and particulates into an EAF.

Abstract: A melting furnace for smelting scrap includes a heating device extending through a wall of the furnace in order to supply melting energy, wherein the heating device including a tubular body, which encloses a flow channel. Further, the furnace includes a heating zone formed by a longitudinal section of the tubular body configured as an electrodeless plasma torch including an inductive heating coil which encloses the flow channel coaxially. An injection pipe is disposed in a central manner in the flow channel extending up or into to the heating zone, wherein the injection pipe is enclosed by a gas guiding pipe coaxially and at a radial distance. An annular channel is arranged between the injection pipe and the wall of the flow channel for supplying a cooling gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for supersonically injecting oxygen into a furnace, in particular a cupola furnace, in which the total oxygen required for the furnace operation is injected with the aid of two distinct circuits, i.e., the first circuit comprising at least one supersonic oxygen injecting nozzle and a second circuit which comprises additionally oxygen injecting means and is connected to the first circuit by pressure-sensitive means, such as a discharging device (or upstream pressure adjuster), in such a way that a stable pressure is obtained in the first circuit upon the attainment of the maximum flowrate thereof, wherein the first circuit can consists of several supersonic nozzle groups.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing a furnace melt are provided. Preferably, the method and apparatus provide for the safe and efficient access to the melt. According to one aspect of the invention used in a steel-making process in an electric arc furnace, a furnace aperture burner/lance provides a flame for heating the melt, a lance device for injecting oxygen into the furnace, or both. To access the melt, the furnace aperture burner/lance is disengaged, access is provided to the melt through the furnace aperture, and the furnace aperture burner/lance is reengaged when the access is concluded.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for producing sponge iron from iron-oxide-containing material in lump form by direct reduction in a reduction shaft using a reducing gas, wherein the entire reducing gas is introduced by means of a number of reducing gas distribution ducts in a star-like arrangement or arranged parallel to one another, preferably into the lower quarter of the reduction shaft, and evenly distributed over the entire cross-section of the reduction shaft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing a furnace melt are provided. Preferably, the method and apparatus provide for the safe and efficient access to the molten metal melt in a furnace. According to one aspect of the invention used in a steel making process in an electric arc furnace, a furnace aperture plug is reciprocated through a furnace aperture, the furnace aperture plug is retracted from the furnace aperture, access is provided to the molten metal melt in the furnace, and the furnace aperture plug is reinserted into the furnace aperture when the access is concluded.

Abstract: A composite sparger for use in elevated temperature and corrosive environments. The composite sparger is formed from a substrate tube with a thermally conductive interlayer on its surfaces exposed to the reactor environment. The thermally conductive interlayer is protected with a corrosion resistant layer. The corrosion resistant layer protects the interlayer from the corrosive environment of the reactor vessel and the interlayer material conducts heat away from the corrosion resistant layer to prevent combustion of the corrosion resistant layer. The interlayer material and corrosion resistant material may be selected so as to provide for sufficient thermal conduction to prevent combustion of the corrosion resistant material.

Abstract: A composite sparger for use in elevated temperature and corrosive environments. The composite sparger is formed from a thermally conductive non-combustible metal substrate. The surfaces of the conductive non-combustible metal exposed to the reactor environment are protected with a corrosion resistant layer. The corrosion resistant layer protects the substrate material from the corrosive environment of the reactor vessel and the substrate material conducts heat away from the corrosion resistant layer to prevent combustion of the corrosion resistant layer. The substrate material and corrosion resistant material may be selected so as to provide for sufficient thermal conduction to prevent combustion of the corrosion resistant material.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to apparatuses and methods for use in metal melting, refining and/or other processing, such as, for example, steel making in an electric arc furnace (EAF), and more particularly, to improved burner panels and related methods for the introduction of various energy sources, such as, for example, chemical energy and particulates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing molten iron. The present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing molten iron including a charge container receiving the supply of reducing material in which hot fine direct reduced iron from multiple fluidized-bed reactors are mixed; at least one pair of roller presses to which the fine direct reduced iron is supplied to undergo roll pressing, thereby producing continuous compacted material having lumped portions adjacent to each other; a crusher crushing the compacted material produced by the roller presses; and a melter-gasifier to which is charged crushed compacted material that is crushed by the crusher. Each of the pair of roller presses include pressed portions and protruded lines formed between the pressed portions.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to apparatuses and methods for use in metal melting, refining and/or other processing, such as, for example, steel making in an electric arc furnace (EAF), and more particularly, to improved cooling systems and related methods for use in an extended burner panel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing characteristics of a furnace melt are provided. Preferably, the method and apparatus provide for the safe and efficient testing of metal temperature and composition of molten metal during the melt cycle of the metal. According to one aspect of the invention used in a steel making process in an electric arc furnace, a furnace probe is reciprocated through a furnace probe plug aperture, the furnace probe is retracted from the furnace probe plug aperture, a furnace probe is inserted through the furnace probe plug aperture, the furnace probe is retracted from the aperture, and the furnace probe aperture plug is inserted into the furnace probe plug aperture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing a furnace melt are provided. Preferably, the method and apparatus provide for the safe and efficient access to the molten metal melt in a furnace. According to one aspect of the invention used in a steel making process in an electric arc furnace, a furnace aperture plug is reciprocated through a furnace aperture, the furnace aperture plug is retracted from the furnace aperture, access is provided to the molten metal melt in the furnace, and the furnace aperture plug is reinserted into the furnace aperture when the access is concluded.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed in which ultrasonic vibration is used to assist the degassing of molten metals or metal alloys thereby reducing gas content in the molten metals or alloys. High-intensity ultrasonic vibration is applied to a radiator that creates cavitation bubbles, induces acoustic streaming in the melt, and breaks up purge gas (e.g., argon or nitrogen) which is intentionally introduced in a small amount into the melt in order to collect the cavitation bubbles and to make the cavitation bubbles survive in the melt. The molten metal or alloy in one version of the invention is an aluminum alloy. The ultrasonic vibrations create cavitation bubbles and break up the large purge gas bubbles into small bubbles and disperse the bubbles in the molten metal or alloy more uniformly, resulting in a fast and clean degassing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing molten irons by injecting fine carbonaceous materials into a melter-gasifier and a method for manufacturing molten irons using the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an industrial furnace for smelting metals, in particular nonferrous metals, and the respective nozzle element.

Abstract: A system for producing a metal foam comprises a bath containing a molten metal, a rotating shaft or impeller extending through the base of the bath into, and submerged in the molten metal, and a gas discharge nozzle provided on the submerged end of the shaft. The opposite end of the shaft is connected to a gas supply line and the shaft is rotated with a motor. A seal is provided at the opening in the base of the bath for preventing leakage of the molten metal there-through.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metallurgical vessel (1), particularly a converter (2), with support consoles (10) arranged on the wall (3) of the vessel. Said consoles are fixed to a support body (4) that does not fully surround the periphery of the vessel by means of a fixing system (9) which comprises clamping means (12) that engage with the support consoles (10) and can be pivoted into and out of a position of engagement. The vessel (1) can be removed from the support body (4) and can be reconnected therewith when the clamping means (12) are not in a position of engagement. According to the invention, the clamping means (12) comprise a clamping lever (13) which is engaged on one side and which describes a pivoting movement by means of a hydraulic pressure unit (17).

Abstract: A double chamber single directional spiral tuyere for blast furnaces is disclosed. The tuyere includes a body unit, a spiral unit and a cover unit, with a body chamber having a body nose passage and a body main passage defined in the body unit, and a nose chamber having first, second, third and fourth spiral passages defined in both the spiral unit and the cover unit. The tuyere further includes a tunnel, which is formed in the spiral unit and the cover unit and connects a cooling water inlet to the first spiral passage. In the tuyere, a reverse-turning part, at which the flowing direction of cooling water is reversed at an angle of 180°, is eliminated from a cooling passage defined in the nose of the tuyere. Thus, cooling water can circulate in a single direction in the tuyere, resulting in efficient circulation of cooling water, reducing pressure loss and enabling cooling water to reach the nose of the tuyere, thereby providing maximum cooling performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to an injection device for the reliable introduction of a fluid into a metallurgical vessel having a refractory lining, the device being removably insertable in the lining; comprising a refractory first body (2) and a refractory second body (3) fittingly assembled, the first body (2) being made of a refractory material less permeable to the fluid than the material of the second body (3), the first and second bodies having each a surface (4, 5) adapted to contact molten metal; and having each fluid passages (6, 7) extending from fluid feeding means (8) to a surface (4, 5) adapted to contact molten metal, the relative flow resistance of the fluid passages (7) in the second body (4) being higher than that of the fluid passages (6) in the first body (2), the fluid passages (6) in the first body (2) being constituted of slots or bores. According to the invention, the fluid passages (6) in the first body (2) are independent from the fluid passages (7) in the second body (3).

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved submerged entry nozzle (SEN) for use in a continuous casting machine. The SEN includes a connection end adapted to attach to a slide gate mechanism, a discharge end including a bifurcated port, a tapered bore extending between the connection end and the discharge end, and a flow control structure positioned within the discharge end. The flow control structure includes divergent flow control surfaces extending downward along opposite sides of a contiguous edge, each downwardly extending divergent flow control surface flaring in an outward direction toward a respective perimeter defining an outside edge of the bifurcated port and communicating therewith.

Abstract: The invention concerns a nozzle mainly consisting, when viewed in vertical position and in the forward movement of the liquid steel from the top downwards, of a vertical conduit (5) comprising in its upper part a distributing member, arranged substantially at the intake of said conduit and including a dome (6) for deflecting the metal penetrating into the nozzle, which is also provided with means for injecting a gaseous, liquid or solid finely divided material beneath said dome (6) into a so-called inner zone (11). The dome (6) of said distributing member is provided with means for separating liquid steel into two jets (B, C), a jet (B) flowing into the so-called inner zone (11) and penetrating into the ingot mould (1) through a first orifice (9) at the lower base of said conduit (5) and a jet (C) flowing into a so-called outer zone (12) and penetrating into the ingot mould (1) through lateral orifices (8) located in the vertical wall of said conduit (5).

Abstract: A system wherein oxygen is provided to a shaft furnace in addition to the blast air, and a flame shroud is formed around the oxygen stream enabling deep penetration of the oxygen into the furnace for not only combusting carbonaceous material for generating heat but also for cutting and oxidizing metal within the furnace.

Abstract: A device in connection with a rotor (9) for the treatment of a liquid such as molten metal in a reactor (20) or similar structure. Gas and/or particulate material is supplied to the liquid, preferably via the rotor shaft (8) and through openings (18) from a cavity (16) in the rotor. The rotor shaft (8) extends up through the base of the reactor (20) and is arranged so that it may rotate inside a stator pipe (3) which extends up from the base of the reactor. The rotor shaft and the stator pipe extend through an opening (21) in the lower side of the rotor (9) and into the cavity (16) in the rotor. Expediently, the rotor shaft (8) is connected to the rotor (9) via a fixing device (13) inside the rotor cavity, while the stator pipe (3) ends in the cavity (16).

Abstract: A blast tuyere for shaft furnaces, includes a conical hollow main body having inner and outer casings defining a hollow space and interconnected by a tuyere nose. The outer casing is formed by a single-piece base body terminating smoothly in the tuyere nose, and the inner casing is formed by a conical weld-in part. The hollow space is divided in antechamber, adjacent the tuyere nose, and main chamber, completely separated hydraulically and including separate coolant circuits. The coolant circuit for the antechamber includes two parallel passages for supply and return of coolant. The passages terminate in a ring channel, arranged in the tuyere nose in a direction transversely to the passages, and are located in an area of an upper apex of the main body radially outside the main chamber. The coolant circuit for the main chamber includes a helical cooling passageway whose inner wall is formed by the weld-in part.

Abstract: A component adjustor is added to an incineration residue containing salts to adjust a component ratio determined by the equation (Ca+Mg)/(Si+Al) in the range of 0.7 to 2.0. The incineration residue having the adjusted component ratio is charged to a melting furnace maintained in a reducing atmosphere to form a melt. The melt is separated into a molten slag layer, a molten salt layer, and a molten metal layer. The molten slag is fractionated and discharged from the melting furnace. The discharged molten slag is rapidly cooled. The temperature of the vapor phase in the melting furnace is maintained at 700 to 1000° C. A non-oxidizing gas is blown into the vapor phase in the melting furnace to increase the amounts of exhaust gases exhausted from the melting furnace.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing metals and metal alloys from metal oxides in a metallurgical vessel containing a molten bath having a metal layer and a slag layer is disclosed. The method is characterized by injecting a carrier gas and a solid carbonaceous material and/or metal oxides into the molten bath from a side of the vessel that is in contact with the molten bath or from above the molten bath so that the solids penetrate the molten bath and cause molten metal to be projected into the gas space above the molten bath to form a transition zone. The method is also characterized by injecting an oxygen-containing gas into the gas space to post-combust reaction gases released from the molten bath into the transition zone.

Abstract: A process for producing molten pig iron uses direct reduction of iron ore in a pre-reduction stage followed by a final reduction stage. In the pre-reduction stage iron ore is pre-reduced in a melting cyclone by means of a reducing process gas originating from the final reduction stage. A post-combustion occurs in the reducing process gas in the melting cyclone so that said iron ore in said melting cyclone is at least partly melted. The partly melted iron ore passes downwardly into a metallurgical vessel situated beneath the cyclone in which the final reduction takes place by supply of coal and oxygen, thereby forming a reducing process gas. A partial post-combustion occurs in the reducing process gas in the metallurgical vessel by means of said oxygen supplied thereto. The post-combustion ratio of the gas on exiting the metallurgical vessel is not more than 0.55.

Abstract: A circular, surface-coating application of sprayable composition or mortar is achieved through a rotatable spray head with at least one lateral discharge opening. The composition or mortar is distributed as uniformly and over as large a surface area as possible in the vicinity of the spray head. The spray head is moved axially forwards and back in an axial direction through the same distance during conveying of the composition or mortar and is rotated automatically through the same angular distance about the axis.

Abstract: A smelt spout for a chemical recovery furnace comprises a trough of U-shaped profile fabricated as a casting in a nickel-chromium alloy containing a minor amount of niobium. A system incorporating the spout includes a cooling arrangement which delivers cooling air to the outside surface of the spout.

Abstract: A ladle port assembly having a longer use life than a conventional porous plug includes an inner refractory member constructed from a high-fired alumina-containing refractory material, a middle refractory member surrounding the inner member and also constructed from a high-fired alumina-containing refractory material, a plurality of channel openings at an interface between the inner and middle refractory members, an outer refractory member surrounding the middle member, and a steel housing which contains the three refractory members. The high-firing of the inner and middle members increases their durability and hardness, reduces wear during use, and reduces the clogging of the channel openings which, in conventional porous plugs, has been caused by erosion and other forms of wear.

Abstract: A blasting device to be used to introduce a gas and/or a solid material into a metallurgical vessel such as a convertor includes a plurality of blasting tubes arranged in a tube bundle, with ends of the tubes being inserted into respective receiving bores formed in a metal apertured plate, with a press fit therebetween. A space defined within the tube bundle is filled with a prefabricated ceramic internal member. The tube bundle with the internal member therein are positioned within a pressing mold that is partially filled with a portion of ceramic material to be used to form a blasting brick. The remainder of the ceramic material to form the blasting brick then is filled into the interior of the pressing mold. The mold then is operated to press the ceramic material to form a blasting brick with the tube bundle and internal member situated therein.

Abstract: A converter for the production of steel from solid and/or liquid charging substances, such as pig iron and/or scrap and/or sponge iron, includes a refractorily lined refining vessel, a refining device for feeding oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas, and a heating device. In order to obtain the maximum output possible at high scrap charging as well as a high purity of the steel, the heating device includes at least one self-consuming graphite electrode and the refining device, independent of the heating device, either is formed by an oxygen-blowing lance or includes oxygen-containing bottom and/or lateral tuyeres located below the melt bath level.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for smelting copper which includes a smelting furnace, a separating furnace, a converting furnace, and launders connecting these furnaces in series. In the smelting furnace, copper concentrate is melted and oxidized to produce matte and slag. In the separating furnace, the matte is separated from the slag. In the converting furnace, the matte separated from the slag is oxidized to produce blister copper. A plurality of anode furnaces are provided for refining the blister copper produced in the converting furnace into copper of higher quality. A blister copper launder assembly, which has a main launder and a plurality of branch launders branched off from the main launder, is provided to connect the converting furnace and the anode furnaces together. A selecting device may be attached to the launder assembly for selectively bringing the main launder into fluid communication with one of the branch launders.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a gas purging plug with integrated electrode for use in electric-arc furnaces.

Abstract: An arrangement for use when treating a melt, particularly a metal melt (2) in a converter (1) with gas, for the purpose of intensifying and rendering effective the contact between gas and melt and to produce effective admixture of the gas with the melt. The arrangement includes at least one nozzle (5) which discharges into the melt (2) and which is operative to deliver the gas in the form of at least one high pressure jet. For the purpose of producing a high gas pressure of such value as to produce a finely-divided mixture of gas and melt in a jet zone (10) in the melt (2), a pressure-elevating device (9) is incorporated in the fluid line connected to the nozzle (5). The invention also relates to a method of treating a metal melt in a converter.

Abstract: For the metallurgical treatment of a molten metal bath (1) in a metallurgical smelting and refining vessel (3), additive substances (43) which are capable of flow, in particular lime, are supplied in a granular to dust state, at least during a part of the refining phase, to the upper region of the inward side (15') of the vessel wall (11), distributed around the periphery thereof. At the vessel wall (11) the additive substances (43) form a barrier or protective layer which reduces the energy losses and increases the service life of the vessel (3).

Abstract: The lance holder for an oxygen lance has a substantially increased reliability and safety, since a valve disk slidable against the force of a valve disk spring by insertion of the lance is provided in a retaining body between the slag run back safety device and a gripping head. This valve disk is forced from the valve seat on insertion of the lance so that the refinery gas can pass through the lance holder without more. If through some error the lance is released, i.e. by slipping out from the holder, the valve disk automatically closes so that the oxygen gas provided can not flow through. A contact of the oxygen-supply hose with the lance holder attached to it is thus reliably prevented. At the same time the slag run back safety device and the clamping head are formed so that a very compact lance holder results.

Abstract: An injection device for introducing gases into metallurgical vessels includes a gas sink with a plurality of gas-carrying ducts and formed as a refractory frustum, a metal layer enclosing an outer generated surface of the gas sink and its base area, a gas supply pipe exposed at a center of the metal-coated base area of the gas sink ad supplying gas to the gas-carrying ducts, and a perforate block enclosing the metal-coated generated surface of the gas sink. The upper end of the gas sink is not enclosed by the perforate block, extends beyond the lining of the ladle bottom into the inside of the ladle, and is surrounded by refractory material.

Abstract: A process for the in-ladle treatment of liquid steels by injecting gas through the ladle bottom. The process comprises injecting at least one inert gas from locations which are distributed over the ladle bottom in such a way as to form at the surface of the liquid steel an annular swelling, the outside edge of which is close to the inside edge of the lining of the wall of the ladle. An oxidizing gas may be mixed with the inert gas for decarburization. The process is applied in particular to the treatment of carbon steels.

Abstract: An injection nozzle for installation in the wall of a vessel for introducing gas into a liquid in the vessel. The nozzle comprises a body pierced by a passage which is terminated at the discharge end of the nozzle by a gas-porous or foraminous passage-closing means. Means is provided gas-tightly affixed to the closing means to feed gas thereto. The gas-feeding means includes a duct structure which extends along the passage between the closing means and the inlet end of the body. The duct structure provides a substantially leak-tight gas-feed path from an external gas delivery means to the passage-closing means. The duct structure can be adjustable or extensible in length.

Abstract: A tuyere block assembly design permitting intermittent flow of gas into the bottom of a metallurgical vessel is provided having the tuyere block assembly open to permit flow of gas into the vessel and closes when the flow of gas into the furnace is not desired without the requirement that gas be continuously injected through the tuyere block in order to keep the block open and operational.