Abstract: An apparatus for the preparation of a sample for X-ray spectrometry comprises a crucible for fusible material, a vessel covering the crucible in a first position and serving to receive cast material from the crucible in a second position, an induction coil wherein the crucible is disposed for simultaneously heating the crucible until the material therein is fused and preheating the vessel covering the crucible, a mobile support mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis extending perpendicularly to the axis of the induction coil, the induction coil being affixed to the support and rotation of the support being capable of agitating the crucible during fusion of the material and for turning the crucible from an upright position wherein the material is fused to a casting position wherein the fused material is cast from the crucible, a casting table below the induction coil, and a sliding ramp connecting the casting table to the mobile support for slidingly guiding the vessel from the first to the second positi

Abstract: Stainless steel is produced in a converter with a tuyere defining a central conduit and a peripheral conduit concentrically surrounding the central conduit, by blowing an oxidizing refining gas through the central conduit into a molten metal bath, the refining gas initially consisting of pure oxygen and being subsequently diluted by gaseous argon, and injecting liquid argon into the converter through the peripheral conduit, to refine the molten metal bath until it has attained a desired level of carbon.

Abstract: An electromagnetic apparatus comprising two inductors generating a gliding magnetic field. Each inductor has a plane active face and the faces of the two inductors define a parallelepiped space therebetween to receive an armature. A plurality of pairs of rectilinear electrical conductors at each active face are associated to form two-phase imbricated windings connected in series within each inductor. The input conductor of each inductor is connected to the output conductor to form a single closed winding connected as a Wheatstone bridge. A two-phase generator feeds electric energy to the input conductors, one phase of the generator being connected between the points of junction of the two-phase windings of one inductor and the other generator phase is connected between the points of junction of the two inductors.

Abstract: A composition for forming a protective layer or slag at the surface of molten steel in the mold during a continuous casting process. The composition is constituted by a mixture of a natural silicate of low melting point and an elevated contents of alkaline oxides, a basic compound, a flux and pulverulent carbon. The natural silicate is a feldspar, a nepheline or nepheline-syenite. The composition is intended for use in continuous steel casting processes.

Abstract: In the production of steel from pig iron melted and refined in a vessel, the pig iron is preheated in two phases. In the first preheating phase, the cold pig iron and hot gases recovered from the melting and refining vessel are moved simultaneously through a first and higher rotary tubular furnace whose lower open end is in communication with an upper open end of a second and lower rotary tubular furnace constituting a second preheating phase. The second furnace is heated from the outside to regulate the temperature of the pig iron to a desired value before it is introduced into the vessel from the second furnace.

Abstract: In a method of operating an installation for the agglomeration of a particulate charge of a mineral and combustible material mixture supported on an elongate grid, moving through a treatment path, the position of the point of firing of the charge is determined, this position corresponding to the contact of the local combustion zone of the mixture with the grid and the velocity of displacement of the moving grid being modified to maintain this point of firing at a predetermined position in respect of the path. The installation comprises sampling means for determining the instant at which the temperature of the gas passed through the charge rises, calculating means generating a signal representative of the position of the point of firing, and a comparator unit generating a correction signal for modifying the velocity by comparing the correction signal with a reference signal. This improves the regularity of the firing of minerals to be agglomerated.

Abstract: A wall element for furnaces useful in all types of metallurgical furnaces but particularly in electric arc steel refining furnaces is comprised of a metallic block defining a cooling circuit in the interior thereof and a lining of refractory bricks anchored firmly to the cooled metallic block. The metallic block carries anchoring lugs projecting from the internal face of the block, each lug consisting of a foot portion and a retaining portion, which is constituted by an enlarged end of the foot portion opposite the internal face. Each refractory brick has a face adjacent the internal face of the metallic block and defining a recessed portion of a cross section matching that of a corresponding one of the anchoring lugs.

Abstract: A device for detecting the temperature in electric arc and like heat radiation producing furnaces comprises a thermally conductive, refractory tip disposed on an annular support which is mounted in the interior of a double-walled, liquid-cooled tube disposed within the tubular casing and extending along its axis. A thermocouple with a heat sensitive element adjacent the thermally conductive, refractory tip is introduced and received in the guide tube.

Abstract: A furnace for melting metal by the Joule effect to enable extraction of gases contained in the metal comprising a hollow tubular body which constitutes a heater resistor clamped between two electrodes, and a separate crucible for the metal which is supported within the tubular body and out of direct contact with the electrodes.

Abstract: A metallic product free of surface faults is continuously cast in a cooled, conductive ingot mold wherein a liquid metal is rotated by applying a magnetic field turning about the axis of the mold thereto and wherefrom the partially solidified metal product is extracted continuously. The driving action of the magnetic field is optimized by imparting to it a maximum value of frequency of rotation between 4 and 15 Hertz, this value being a function of the form and size of the cast product as well as the thickness and electric conductivity of the mold wall such that any increase in the frequency of rotation above this value brings about an attenuation of the frequency in the mold wall in excess of its positive effect on the rotation of the liquid metal.

Abstract: A metallic product is cast continuously by injecting a liquid metal into a cooled ingot mold, applying a magnetic field turning about the axis of the mold to rotate the metal, and extracting the partially solidified metal product from the mold. Effective stirring is obtained by rotating the magnetic field at a frequency of rotation of 4 to 15 Hertz and using a copper alloy of structural rigidity for the mold, the wall thickness of the mold being kept thin, preferably below 15 mm. The process is particularly useful for casting round metallic products and especially those which are subjected to after-treatments requiring good surface characteristics and a core free of faults.

Abstract: A tubular mold element is concentrically surrounded by a jacket defining an annular space therewith and a casing defining a chamber with the jacket. A liquid-tight element divides the chamber into a lower inlet chamber for a cooling liquid and an upper outlet chamber for the liquid. The annular space communicates at the respective ends of the jacket with the inlet and outlet chambers so that a cooling liquid film circulates through the space. The liquid-tight element comprises a first annular member affixed to the interior wall of the casing and a second annular member affixed to the exterior wall of the jacket so that the liquid-tight element supports the jacket at its lower end while its upper end is free of support.

Abstract: A mold for continuously casting of billets comprises an inner copper mold and an outer steel envelope surrounding the mold. The outer envelope is affixed to the inner mold by threaded tie rods which are anchored to parallel longitudinally extending ribs on the exterior faces of the inner mold. These ribs define grooves therebetween and the interior faces of the envelope have parallel longitudinally extending ribs facing the grooves. The facing ribs and grooves define therebetween longitudinal channels for a cooling liquid for the mold.

Abstract: A method for continuously casting metal in horizontal direction in which molten metal is continuously discharged from a container through a conduit of refractory material into a horizontally-extending cooled ingot mold axially aligned with the conduit. The flow passage formed by the conduit and the ingot mold increases abruptly at the junction of the conduit and the ingot mold. The outer periphery zone of the stream of molten metal passing through the conduit is accelerated by electromagnetic force so as to enter into the ingot mold in such a manner as to create immediately downstream of the junction an annular space free of metal; and an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A method of continuously casting metal in which the metal is subjected during its solidification at a predetermined zone to the action of a magnetic field which is controlled as a function of the withdrawal speed of the metal during the continuous casting thereof to maintain in the region of the solidification of the metal a magnetic pressure between two predetermined limits to thereby agitate the metal during its solidification to improve the structure of the cast product especially in a central axial zone of the product.

Abstract: A layer of electrolyte in pulverulent form is spread over the free surface of a liquid metal to be desulfurized, in which the layer provides cationic conductivity by means of a cation adapted to react with the sulfur contained in the metal. The electrolyte layer is contacted with a first electrode connected to the positive pole of a direct current supply and the metal is contacted by a second electrode connected to the negative pole of the current supply.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring the gas in a metal sample wherein a reference circuit has gas flowed therethrough from a source, a detection circuit including a degassing chamber therein has gas flowed therethrough from the same source, the reference and detection circuits leading to comparison cells of a catharometer and then to a common measuring circuit, and a complementary circuit is connected to the detection circuit with a gas flow therethrough to selectively apply a protective gas curtain to the degassing chamber during introduction and removal of the sample.

Abstract: A jacketted mold for the continuous casting of molten metal is surrounded by a laterally confined space holding an electromagnetic inductor for moving the molten metal in the open-ended mold. Liquid cooling medium is supplied to the mold jacket through an inlet chamber at one end and is evacuated therefrom through an outlet chamber at the other end. The outlet chamber is in communication with the confined space so that the liquid cooling medium cools not only the mold but also the inductor.