Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for dehydrating and recycling back into a BOF converter wet BOF scrubber sludge to produce a steelmaking revert having an improved flow rate when handled in a recycle stream. Wet sludge is combined with hot BOF slag to provide a slag/sludge mixture. The wet sludge causes the mixture to have a moisture content greater than 10% water by weight, and the hot slag, having a temperature below the molten liquid state, vaporizes the water in the mixture and reduces the moisture content to about 4% water by weight or less. The dehydrated mixture has improved flow rate properties when it is recycled as a steelmaking revert.

Abstract: The invention is directed to water-cooled furnace hoods that exhaust gases away from a work area, and in particular, it is directed to an off-gas hood for use with a basic oxygen furnace (BOF). The furnace hood includes an assemblage of panels fastened together to form a flue positioned above a BOF at a location to receive gases generated by the furnace. Each panel includes an inlet header for receiving cooling water, an outlet header for discharging cooling water, and a plurality of tubes, such as a tube-bar-tube membrane, extending between the inlet and outlet headers to distribute cooling water between the headers. Jumper pipes extend between outlet headers and inlet headers located in adjacent panels. The jumper pipes distribute cooling between adjacent panels and thereby provide a continuous flow of cooling water along the length of the flue. The invention is also directed to a method of replacing the panels located in the assemblage of panels that make up the flue.

Abstract: A gas appliance is provided for producing an open flame. The gas appliance includes an elongated gas tube, a gas inlet, a nozzle, a flame sensor, a gas shut-off valve, and a protective member. The gas tube has a proximal end and a distal end. The gas inlet is located near the proximal end, for connection to a source of combustible gas. The nozzle is located at the distal end, for expelling the combustible gas to produce the open flame. The flame sensor detects the open flame and communicates its absence or presence to the gas shut-off valve. The gas shut-off valve has a valve inlet, a valve outlet, a control input, and the over-ride mechanism. The valve inlet is connected to the gas inlet. The valve outlet is connected to the proximal end of the elongated gas tube.

Abstract: A method [and apparatus] for refurbishing eroded portions in coke oven doorjambs including refurbishing apparatus having a framework attached to the coke oven structure adjacent the doorjamb. The framework supports a carriage that is simultaneously moveable in an "X" axis direction and a "Y" axis direction within the boundary so that a machine[-cutting] tool, attached to the carriage, can be moved from one position directly to another position within the framework boundary. [The machine-cutting tool is positioned to make cutting] The machine tool is moved directly to selected positions within the boundary to make machining passes along new metal that is fused into the eroded portions of the coke oven doorjamb.

Abstract: Electro-magnetic filter apparatus and method of operating to separate and remove oily magnetic solids from wastewaters. The filter apparatus includes a filter assembly having an electro-magnetic coil that encircles a canister. The canister has an interior space defined by a wall surface and a first perforated baffle spaced apart from a second perforated baffle. The interior space contains a ferromagnetic matrix comprising split ring lock washers. The feed side end portion of the canister communicates with the wastewater source that contains the oily magnetic solids, a wash-water supply, a pressurized air supply and a disposal stream. The discharge side end portion of the canister communicates with a recycling stream, the disposal stream and the wash-water supply.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting molten slag in a tap stream between a steel making basic oxygen furnace (BOF) and corresponding ladle. BOFs are used in the manufacture of steel. An infrared (IR) imaging or detecting device is used to image/view the BOF-to-ladle tap stream, the steam transmitting energy indicative of whether molten steel and/or slag is in the stream at a given time. The imaging device uses mainly long IR wavelengths (e.g. wavelengths of from about 8 to 14 .mu.m) when imaging the molten tap stream, because these wavelengths are less susceptible to being blocked or absorbed by airborne gases and particles frequently found in BOF environments. In certain embodiments, all IR wavelengths other than those greater than about 8 .mu.m are filtered out and are not used to detect slag in the tap stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for refurbishing eroded portions in coke oven doorjambs including refurbishing apparatus having a framework attached to the coke oven structure adjacent the doorjamb. The framework supports a carriage that is simultaneously moveable in an "X" axis direction and a "Y" axis direction within the boundary so that a machine-cutting tool, attached to the carriage, can be moved from one position directly to another position within the framework boundary. The machine-cutting tool is positioned to make cutting passes alone new metal that is fused into the eroded portions of the coke oven doorjamb.

Abstract: An anode containment basket for holding soluble anodes in a horizontal plane within the plating bath of a continuous electroplating line. The basket includes a nonconductive conduit having a continuous sidewall, an interior space and open ends. One open end includes an end cap having a nonconductive open web plastic mesh that covers an open space defined by the conduit end. The conduit is positioned within the bath to place the nonconductive open web plastic mesh adjacent and across the horizontal surface of the substrate being electroplated. A conductive grid is housed within the interior space of the conduit, and the grid includes at least one hanger attached to an electrical energy source. The conductive grid both supports and delivers electrical energy to the soluble anodes contained within the basket.

Abstract: The invention is directed to apparatus and a method for controlling temperature of lubricant contained in, but not limited to, a differential housing. The apparatus includes a cover plate having an air duct arrangement that includes an intake manifold, a discharge and at least one air conduit that extends between the intake manifold and the discharge. The air conduit communicates with the outside surface of the cover plate, and a temperature responsive fan selectively forces air into the manifold to create an airflow along the air conduit. Heat is transferred from the cover plate surface to the air as the airflow moves through the air conduit and the heated air is expelled at the discharge to lower and control lubricant temperature.

Abstract: A structural section for use in frame construction where the section includes a horizontal segment and a pair of spaced apart legs. Each leg has a first end portion attached to the horizontal segment, a second end portion opposite the horizontal segment, and a flange that extends inward from the second end portion toward the center line of the structural section. Each leg further includes a longitudinal surface located between the first end portion and the second end portion. The longitudinal surface is positioned inboard of the flange so that the distance between opposed flanges that extend along each leg of the structural section is greater than the distance between opposed longitudinal surfaces that extend along each leg of the structural section.

Abstract: A high strength low-alloy steel is subjected to a controlled rolling and accelerated cooling process to obtain minimum physical properties while achieving improved mill productivity. The alloy chemistry utilizes a low silicon, carbon, niobium, vanadium, titanium-containing steel composition which is hot worked and accelerated cooled under controlled conditions. The chemistry, controlled rolling and accelerated cooling allows for significant increase in the finishing rolling temperature thereby permitting high rolling output. The alloy chemistry includes a low-carbon grade which also has improved castability, formability and weldability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling a BOF trunnion ring by vaporization. A water mist is injected into the interior space of the trunnion ring where it is vaporized. The heat transfer of vaporization cools the trunnion ring, and the hot vapor is vented from the trunnion ring to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A child's vehicle safety seat having an impact pad assembly rotatably attached to the safety seat. The impact pad assembly is rotatable toward or away from a child riding in the safety seat, and the assembly includes a padded portion upon which the child impacts during a vehicular event such as a collision. The impact pad assembly further includes an adjustable bias that applies a continuous force to rotate the impact pad assembly toward the seat portion. A stop limits the impact pad assembly rotation in order to place the padded portion at a riding position proximate to the child seated within the vehicle safety seat. The adjustable bias provides a mechanism to either increase or decrease the continuous force that rotates the impact pad assembly toward the riding position. The continuous force is adjusted to the weight of a child riding in the safety seat so that if the child's head and/or torso impacts upon the padded portion, the force of the impacting child is greater than the continuous force.

Abstract: A method for improving the formability of zinc coated steel sheet, and the product produced therefrom. The steps of the method include applying to the zinc coating an oxalic acid solution in an amount that will form a zinc oxalate film having a coating weight in a range of s about 10 mg/ft.sup.2 to about 100 mg/ft.sup.2. A lubricant is applied to the zinc oxalate film, and the lubricant is adsorbed by the zinc oxalate film to provide a lubricated zinc oxalate film that is bonded to the zinc coating. The method produces an improved zinc coated sheet product having a tightly formed lubricated coating structure resistant to galling in the die steels of a forming press. The improved zinc coated sheet product having a lubricated zinc oxalate film improves formability and reduces the coefficient of friction during the forming operations that shape the zinc coated steel sheet or strip into a finished product shape.

Abstract: The invention is directed to metal planking used to construct planar surfaces, such as patio, porch and balcony decks, and interior floors and roofs of structures. The metal planking comprises an elongated strut and a slidable cap that covers the strut after the strut is fastened to support members in the structure. The strut includes a first flange and first web spaced apart from a second flange and second web, and a cord extending between the first web and the second web. The cord provides a surface for fastening the strut to the support members of the structure, and the cord includes at least one corrugation extending in an upward direction to a location adjacent the plane of the first and second strut flanges. The slidable cap includes a first hem extending along one edge of the cap, and a second hem extending along the opposite edge of the cap.

Abstract: A system and method for disposing of vacuum degasser contaminants which includes adjusting the pH, in a reactor vessel, of a vacuum degasser underflow stream to precipitate lead and zinc into particulate matter. The solids are then concentrated in a thickener to produce an underflow stream that is communicated to a holding vessel to settle. The overflow from the thickener is filtered through a sand filter and discharged to meet applicable NPDES permit limits. Lime is added to the slurry in the holding vessel to further settle the solids, to aid in filtration, and to prevent leaching of lead from the filter cake during TCLP testing. An overlaying supernatant is decanted from the holding vessel and returned to the reactor vessel for further treatment. Limestone is added to the underflow stream. The resulting slurry is dewatered to produce a friable, non-hazardous filtrate cake and a filtrate. The filtrate is directed back to reactor vessel prior to discharge for further treatment.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for dehydrating wet BOF scrubber sludge to produce a steelmaking revert having an improved flow rate when handled in a recycle stream. Wet sludge is combined with hot BOF slag to provide a slag/sludge mixture. The wet sludge causes the mixture to have a moisture content greater than 10% water by weight, and the hot slag, having a temperature below the molten liquid state, vaporizes the water in the mixture and reduces the moisture content to about 4% water by weight or less. The dehydrated mixture has improved flow rate properties when it is recycled as a steelmaking revert.

Abstract: Electro-magnetic filter apparatus and method of operating to separate and remove oily magnetic solids from wastewaters. The filter apparatus includes a filter assembly having an electro-magnetic coil that encircles a canister. The canister has an interior space defined by a wall surface and a first perforated baffle spaced apart from a second perforated baffle. The interior space contains a ferromagnetic matrix comprising split ring lock washers. The feed side end portion of the canister communicates with the wastewater source that contains the oily magnetic solids, a wash-water supply, a pressurized air supply and a disposal stream. The discharge side end portion of the canister communicates with a recycling stream, the disposal stream and the wash-water supply.

Abstract: A post plating or post coating method for improving formability and weldability properties in sheet steel product having a protective zinc or zinc alloy layer formed on at least one surface thereof. The steps of the method comprise immersing the sheet steel product into a bath containing at least zinc to apply the protective layer, removing the sheet steel product from the bath, the sheet steel product having a protective zinc or zinc alloy layer formed on at least one surface thereof, and applying an alkaline solution to the protective layer to form a zinc oxide layer thereon, the alkaline solution being applied at a location outside the bath.

Abstract: An impact pad for eliminating surface turbulence in a continuous caster tundish, the impact pad having a base for receiving an incoming ladle stream, and one or more sidewalls extending in an upward direction along the periphery of the base. Each upward extending sidewall includes an inner surface having an undercut portion facing the incoming ladle stream. And, each undercut portion extends along the length of the inner surface, and comprises a shaped surface for receiving and reversing the direction of a fluid flow generated by the incoming ladle stream.