Abstract: The present invention relates to a device that heats liquid steel by means of induction in the tundishes of horizontal continuous casting machines.

Abstract: A method to produce stainless steels in electric arc furnaces without secondary processing is disclosed. The method includes three main steps: melting, oxidizing and reducing periods; during all of the steps natural gas is bottom blowed. During the oxidizing period an oxygen blow is accomplished preferably through a vertical lance and during the reducing period a chromium adjustment can be carried out by chromium ore additions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new steelmaking process and apparatus which operates on an intermittent basis where several cycles composed of reducing and oxidizing periods are performed to create sufficient energy for melting of solid metallic charge, i.e., sponge iron, scrap, iron ore. During the reducing period, oxygen and carbonaceous material are injected through the vessel bottom thus attaining both carburization of a steam of the melt and generation of CO+H.sub.2 rich gas, and when the dissolved carbon of the melt is in the range of 3%-4%, conditions are then changed to the oxidizing period where solid metallic charge is added initially while oxygen injection is maintained, and until the solid charge has been melted, thus generating a stream of CO+CO.sub.2 gas rich in CO. In addition, other fluids and solids participate in the process, i.e., nitrogen, hydrocarbons, fluxes, and are used according to the appropriate period of the process.

Abstract: A process for the desulphurization of residuals of petroleum distillation in the form of coke particles having an initial sulphur content greater than about 5% by weight. Desulphurization is effected by means of a continuous electrothermal process based on a plurality of sequentially connected fluidized beds into which the coke particles are successively introduced. The necessary heat generation to desulphurize the coke particles is obtained by using the coke particles as an electrical resistance in each fluidized bed by providing a pair of electrodes that extend into the fluidized coke particles and passing an electrical current through the electrodes and through the fluidized coke particles. A last fluidized bed without electrodes is provided for cooling the desulphurized coke particles after the sulphur level has been reduced to less than about 1% by weight.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device used in the selection between two fluids that are to be injected into a liquid metal contained in a metallurgical converter: an oxidizing gas and another gas conveying powdered carbonaceous material; both fluids arrive through different conduits to a selecting valve located at the bottom of a metallurgical converter just before a single conduit tuyere for leading one of the fluids to the liquid metal by means of the selective mechanism in such valve.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rotary joint for introducing a plurality of different separated fluids from a first static system, to a second system that is rotating with respect to the first, namely for passing fluids and solid fines carried in fluids into a rotatable iron converter through rotary trunnion couplings. The separated different fluids are passed simultaneously through a stationary cylindrical sleeve surrounding a rotating core shaft coupled to the trunnion. Conduits housed in such stationary sleeve pass the fluids to separate circumferential channels axially located along the rotating shaft from which a set of independent lines transporting fluids axially through the trunnion which is rotating with respect to the receiving static sleeve. Between the separate channels in the rotating shaft there are seals that do not permit the passage of a fluid from a given channel conduit into any other. This makes the conduction of fluids in the lines and/or channels independent of each other.

Abstract: Improved method for producing steel with the combination of a basic oxygen furnace and a sponge iron plant. The sponge iron produced with a high carbon content, is loaded into the basic oxygen furnace in which oxygen and any type of powder carbon are injected through the bottom. During the melting and refining process, enough reducing gases are produced to yield all the energy needed to reduce iron ore into sponge iron in a batch process following the basic oxygen furnace cycles or continuous cycles. The gas produced per ton of liquid metal in the basic oxygen furnace is enough to produce iron as sponge iron.

Abstract: A method for making high quality liquid iron with substantially no residual chemical elements and a controlled content of carbon, manganese, phosphorous, sulfur and silicon in the final metal. Sponge iron, as raw material, is melted in a vessel or converter with a basic refractory lining. The energy required for melting the sponge iron is provided by the exothermic reaction of carbon from any coal or carbonaceous material and oxygen in solution within the metal bath and by the combustion of other hydro-carbon fluids, all injected to the bath through nozzles preferably located in the bottom of the converter. Further energy is obtained with the post-combustion of gases leaving the metal bath when ascending to the upper port of the converter.