Abstract: A nozzle of refractory material is demountably connected to a spout, also of refractory material, for flow of liquid metal from the spout into the nozzle. The spout is supported by a first metal support ring and the nozzle is carried by a second metal support ring which has projecting arms by which it is lifted to bring the nozzle into position. To provide a seal of the connection against access of atmospheric oxygen to the liquid metal, a sleeve is slidably and rotatably mounted on the second support ring. On rotation of the sleeve, cam means a cam action between the lower sleeve surface and the projecting arms effect its upward movement so that its top edge engages the first support ring to seal thereto. The sleeve leaves an annular gap between itself and the nozzle, to which inert gas is supplied.

Abstract: A ceramic burner for gas, for a combustion chamber of a hot-blast stove of a blast furnace, has parallel vertical supply ducts for the two combustion components (gas and air). A first one of said ducts opens upwardly at a first outlet which is substantially oblong in plan view and the second of said ducts opens at a plurality of second outlets which are located on either side of and above the first outlet, the general discharge directions of the second outlets being oblique to that of the first outlet. In order to provide improvement in the mixing and homogenisation of the combustion components, the first outlet has, as seen in plan view, a slot shape and has, in its long sides, a plurality of recesses which extend outwardly towards the second outlets. The second outlets are arranged alongside the said long sides of the first outlet with the second outlets on one side opposite those on the other side.

Abstract: A coke oven battery has a continuous roof and uprights at each of the pusher and coke sides. The uprights are connected by ties extending through pipes embedded in the roof. To provide cooling for the ties, a massive metal cooling member extends upwardly from each pipe to the upper side of the roof, to conduct heat away from the pipe. The cooling member may contain a chamber forming an evaporation cooling system.

Abstract: In a cast house of a blast furnace, one or more movable exhaust hoods, connected to exhaust ducts, are provided for extraction of gas and dust. In order to provide such a hood which is easily moved manually by the operating personnel but which, with its duct, nevertheless does not unduly obstruct the working space, the hood is carried by a swivellable duct section which is connected to a fixed duct section at its swivelling axis and is supported, in cantilever fashion, by a bearing, e.g. a ball bearing, which is located outside the duct and extends circumferentially around the duct.

Abstract: The refractory bottom of a shaft furnace, e.g. a blast furnace has a graphite layer, above it an intermediate layer of lower coefficient of thermal conductivity (.lambda.-value) and above the intermediate layer a third layer of yet lower .lambda.-value. To control the penetration of molten metal into the bottom and in particular to achieve a stable location of the solidification isotherm in the intermediate layer, the material of the intermediate layer is one having a .lambda.-value of 12 to 30 kcal/m.h. .degree.C. This material may be semi-graphite. Such material does not undergo a change of .lambda.-value when permeated by the molten metal.

Abstract: In casting of a cast-iron ingot mould in a sand mould, it is proposed to inject air into the moulding sand adjacent the lower end of the ingot mould, after the ingot mould surface has solidified. The injected air causes conversion of the perlite at the interior surface of the ingot mould into ferrite. This improves the resistance of this surface region to corrosion during casting of ingots in the ingot mould, thus prolonging the life of the ingot mould.