Abstract: Molten matte or slag is water granulated by feeding molten matte or slag through a launder to a granulator tank. The tank includes sloping walls and is equipped with adjustable overflow weirs and one or more of spray nozzles. These nozzles are positioned such that the water that they emit impacts on substantially all of the molten matte or slag that is fed to the granulator tank. The granulation tank is optionally coated with a polymeric material to reduce the potential for phreatic explosions. The granulator is also optionally equipped with a gas offtake which can be connected directly to a quench tower which in turn can be connected to an induced ventilation system.

Abstract: Briquettes of either technical or chemical grade molybdenum oxide and a binding material selected from the group consisting of (a) sodium hydroxide, and (b) a binding composition comprising (i) at least one of ammonium and an alkali metal hydroxide, and (ii) an inert filler that has a d.sub.80 particle size at least about the same d.sub.80 particle size of the molybdenum oxide exhibit excellent resistance to breakage and dusting.

Abstract: The present invention involves a pipe flange internally fitted with a lining. The pipe flange has a face with an annular groove extending outward from the inside surface along at least a portion of the face. The groove may be tapered becoming deeper as it travels outward from the inside surface. The lining extrudes into the annular groove partially filling the groove and protruding beyond the face of the flange. The unfilled portion of the annular groove forms an expansion cavity into which the lining can extend when the lining is mated to another object using compressive force. The present invention also provides a pipe flange connection where the face of the internally lined pipe flange is mated to another object using compressive force. The present invention also provides a method of applying an elastomeric lining inside a pipe flange. The method involves affixing a mold to the face of a flange having an annular groove.

Abstract: A cooled elongated, preferably threaded and, tapered, metallurgical taphole plug and a method for using it are described. The plug is inserted into a taphole to cause a plug of molten material to freeze in the taphole such that molten material flow within the taphole is stopped. In one embodiment, the plug is comprised of an externally threaded, elongated member having a first end and a second end with a taper extending at least partially therebetween. The first, narrower end, which is inserted into the taphole, is cooled by a fluid flowing through an internal passage extending at least partially between the first and second ends. As the first end is cooled, the molten material adjacent the first end freezes around the tip of the first end, effectively plugging the taphole. The device is removed by discontinuing fluid flow and applying a rotational moment about the second end such that the threaded, tapered device backsout of the taphole.

Abstract: Fire-refined blister copper is produced from copper concentrate by a process comprising:A. melting and oxidizing the copper concentrate in a smelting furnace to produce molten matte and slag, and to separate one from the other;B. removing the molten matte from the smelting furnace;C. solidifying the molten matte;D. injecting the solidified matte into a converting furnace in which the matte is converted to blister copper and slag; andE. transfering the blister copper from the converting furnace to an anode furnace to produce fire-refined blister copper.After the fire-refined blister copper is produced in the anode furnace, it is typically transferred to an anode casting wheel on which it is converted to copper anodes suitable for subsequent electrolytic refining to cathode copper.