Abstract: A metallurgical vessel includes first and second tuyeres for respectively delivering process materials above and below the level of molten metal contained within the vessel. Coupled to one of the trunnion pins which support the vessel for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis is a rotary joint which defines a plurality of concentric flow paths for transporting cooling liquid to the vessel and process fluids to the first and second tuyeres. The passages are provided by a first plurality of coaxially spaced apart annular fixed members and a second plurality coaxially spaced apart annular members mounted on the trunnion pin and rotatable therewith. At least some of the plurality of members have portions which define lateral flow paths interconnecting one of the concentric flow paths.

Abstract: A metallurgical vessel has upper and lower brackets which engage a trunnion ring for support along inclined surfaces whose total vertical angle has a tangent equal to the growth of the vessel radially in the region of its said brackets to the elongation of that portion of the vessel between the brackets.

Abstract: A molten metal processing vessel is supported on a trunnion ring by a plurality of triangular members and adjustable links. Each triangular member is pivotally connected to the vessel to a clamp ring which engages the upper trunnion ring flange. The connection at the apex of the triangular member includes a ball and socket for universal pivotal movement. The links are pivotally connected to the vessel and to a second clamp ring which engages the lower trunnion ring flange. A plurality of disk springs are disposed between the second clamp ring and the trunnion ring.

Abstract: A metallurgical vessel has releasably coupled, semicylindrical upper and lower sections arranged such that the axis of revolution of one section lies in a plane normal relative to the rotational axis of the other. The dimension of each section in the axial direction being the same as the dimension of the other section in the direction normal to the axis. The vessel is mounted for rotation about the axis of the lower section and an elongate charging mouth is formed in the upper section and is arranged with its major axis parallel to the axis of the lower section. A plurality of tuyeres extend through the lower section of the vessel and each tuyere includes a first tuyere pipe for injecting oxygen beneath the level of molten metal within the vessel, a second tuyere pipe disposed in surrounding relation to the oxygen pipe for injecting powdered materials entrained in a nonoxidizing gas and a third pipe surrounding the second pipe for injecting a hydrocarbon shielding fluid.

Abstract: A refractory lined vessel has an open top and a plurality of brackets for engaging a trunnion ring to which it is coupled by bracket retainer assemblies. Each bracket retainer assembly includes pairs of gib plates affixed to the trunnion ring adjacent the opposite sides of the brackets and end members having feet which extend into openings in the plates for being retained in position by suitable shims and having aligned bores for receiving the end of a shaft which also extends to each of the bracket gusset plates.

Abstract: A centerplate wear liner for hot metal mixer cars includes a split ring side wear liner having a shroud on its outer surface. The shroud fits within an annular groove machined into the socket which receives the centerplate. A disc wear liner is placed within the ring wear liner and serves both as a wear liner and as a locking device to prevent the shroud of the side wear liner ring from escaping from the groove.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for obtaining useful products from cement kiln waste dust. The dust is collected and added to an electric arc furnace where it is melted. The temperatures required to melt the dust are sufficiently high that alkali sulfates present in the dust are volatilized, leaving a melt which has a composition acceptable for the production of cement clinker. The volatilized components are collected to form a second useful product; i.e., a potassium rich material suitable for the production of potassium bearing chemicals, such as fertilizers.

Abstract: A system for moving metallurgical vessels includes a hydraulic vessel lifting apparatus designed to raise the vessel out of supporting contact with a horseshoe-shaped trunnion ring and for lowering it onto a specially designed transfer car. The car moves the vessel to relining or bottom exchange stations where the vessel is removed by a similar hydraulic lifting apparatus from the car. The car is then used to move a second vessel to the operating station and position it on the trunnion ring. The melt shop layout includes a turntable for permitting the vessel transfer car to be selectively directed to desired locations.

Abstract: A metallurgical vessel has releasably coupled, semicylindrical upper and lower sections arranged such that the axis of revolution of one section lies in a plane normal relative to the rotational axis of the other. The dimension of each section in the axial direction being the same as the dimension of the other section in the direction normal to the axis. The vessel is mounted for rotation about the axis of the lower section and an elongate charging mouth is formed in the upper section and is arranged with its major axis parallel to the axis of the lower section. A plurality of tuyeres extend through the lower section of the vessel and each tuyere includes a first tuyere pipe for injecting oxygen beneath the level of molten metal within the vessel, a second tuyere pipe disposed in surrounding relation to the oxygen pipe for injecting powdered materials entrained in a nonoxidizing gas and a third pipe surrounding the second pipe for injecting a hydrocarbon shielding fluid.

Abstract: A metallurgical vessel includes a plurality of brackets which engage the upper surface of a trunnion ring for support. A gib assembly is mounted adjacent the lateral sides of each bracket. Each gib assembly includes a first member secured to the trunnion ring and a second member removably and slidably mounted on the first member for movement into and out of the clamping engagement with the side of its associated bracket. The vessel may also include a second plurality of brackets engaging the lower surface of the trunnion ring and shim blocks mounted on the trunnion ring and adjacent the lateral side of each bottom bracket for movement into wedging engagement therewith.

Abstract: An open-topped vessel for converting molten ferrous metal to steel is pivotal about a horizontal axis and has bottom tuyeres for blowing oxygen or other gases upwardly through molten metal. An enclosure at least partially surrounds the vessel and cooperates with a smoke hood to prevent the escape of pollutants when the vessel is in its vertical position. A pair of access doors are provided for closing an opening provided in the enclosure laterally of the vessel tilt axis and are mounted for movement in opposite directions. An auxiliary smoke hood is mounted in the enclosure above the opening for capturing pollutants when the vessel is tilted toward said opening for being charged. The inner surface of the doors are formed of a plurality of tubular members which extend generally vertically and are connected to inlet and outlet headers at their opposite ends. The doors may be provided with a removable section in the region most directly impacted by materials discharging from the vessel when the vessel is tilted.

Abstract: A method of treating ferrous metal in a metallurgical vessel having a plurality of two-pipe tuyeres extending generally upwardly through the vessel bottom and in spaced apart relation relative to each other. A flux, such as line, is first blown into the ferrous metal charge through the center tuyere pipe along with the process gas and a second gas is delivered to the outer tuyere pipe. After fluxing, a first process gas consisting principally of oxygen is blown into the charge through the center tuyere pipe along with a sheath of hydrocarbon shielding fluid delivered through the outer tuyere pipe. After a significant portion of carbon oxidation has proceeded to the point where excess oxygen would tend to oxidize chromium or iron, argon is mixed with the oxygen in the center tuyere pipe to the point where it equals or exceeds the proportion of oxygen while the delivery of hydrocarbon shielding fluid is continued through the outer tuyere pipe.

Abstract: A hot metal mixer has an elongate hollow vessel mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis adjacent each end on a cradle, each of which is supported on pairs of parallel trucks disposed on separate sets of rails. Each cradle extends transversely between the trucks of each pair and is coupled to one truck by a spherical bearing and to the other by spherical and roller bearings to permit thermal expansion and contraction, slight track misalignment and travel around curves. A pair of spouts for receiving or pouring metal are disposed in the upper side portion of the vessel and in spaced relation from the top center.

Abstract: An open topped, refractory lined metallurgical converter vessel has a metallic shell. A cooling jacket is affixed to the frusto-conical nose portion of the shell and comprises a plurality of right angle members affixed to the shell in a side-by-side relation and extending generally in the axial direction. The members have their edges respectively affixed to the shell surface and to the side of the next adjacent member such that one leg of each member is perpendicular and the other is parallel to the vessel surface. An opening is formed in the perpendicular leg of each angle member with the opening in adjacent members located at opposite ends to define a serpentine water flow path therethrough. Plate sections are affixed to the upper end of the angle members and to the shell to define a nose cooling ring and return flow path for cooling water. Further arcuate plate sections which at least partially surround the vessel at the lower ends of the angle members define water inlet and return flow paths.

Abstract: A pair of metallurgical vessels are each coupled by a gas collecting hood having a movable skirt to a gas cleaning system which includes an exhaust fan and a quencher and scrubber each having flow varying means. Each vessel is surrounded by an enclosure having an access door toward which the open upper end of the vessel may be tilted for receiving a metal charge. A secondary gas collecting hood is disposed in each enclosure above the access door for creating an indraft when the door is open. A valve system permits the selective connection of the secondary hood of one enclosure to the fan of the other to increase the indraft during furnace charging, sampling and pouring.

Abstract: A tuyere assembly for use in metallurgical vessels includes a tubular metallic tuyere housing which is cast in a book of refractory material. When the tuyere block is installed in a metallurgical vessel, a tuyere is inserted within the tubular tuyere housing and the space between the tuyere assembly and the housing sealed with a suitable refractory material. After a significant portion of the tuyere assembly has burned away during metallurgical operations, the tuyere may be withdrawn from the tuyere housing and a new tuyere substituted. Any refractory lining which has burned away in the vicinity of the new tuyere may be built up with a chemically bonded gunning mixture which sets to form a dense refractory material around the tuyere assembly.

Abstract: A molten metal processing vessel is surrounded by a trunnion ring. A plurality of flat beam members are affixed at one end to the trunnion ring and their other ends are each apertured for pivotally engaging one of a plurality of pins extending fixedly from the vessel.

Abstract: An open-topped vessel for converting molten ferrous metal to steel is pivotal about a horizontal axis and has bottom tuyeres for blowing oxygen or other gases upwardly through molten metal. An enclosure at least partially surrounds the vessel and cooperates with a smoke hood to prevent the escape of pollutants when the vessel is in its vertical position. A pair of access doors are provided for closing an opening provided in the enclosure laterally of the vessel tilt axis. The doors are mounted for movement in opposite directions on roller support means external of the enclosure and an auxiliary smoke hood is mounted in the enclosure above the opening for capturing pollutants when the vessel is tilted toward said opening for being charged.

Abstract: An open-topped vessel for converting molten ferrous metal to steel is pivotal about a horizontal axis and has bottom tuyeres for blowing oxygen or other gases upwardly through molten metal. An enclosure at least partially surrounds the vessel and cooperates with a smoke hood to prevent the escape of pollutants when the vessel is in its vertical position. A pair of access doors are provided for closing an opening provided in the enclosure laterally of the vessel tilt axis and are mounted for movement in opposite directions. An auxiliary smoke hood is mounted in the enclosure above the opening for capturing pollutants when the vessel is tilted toward said opening for being charged. The inner surface of the doors are formed of a plurality of self-mounted cast iron plates.

Abstract: An open topped, refractory lined metallurgical converter vessel has a metallic shell. A cooling jacket is affixed to the frusto-conical nose portion of the shell and comprises a plurality of right angle members affixed to the shell in a side-by-side relation and extending generally in the axial direction. The members have their edges affixed to the shell surface to form a flow passage therewith. A manifold pipe extends partially around the vessel and is connected to all of the flow passages except for those above and adjacent to the tap nozzle which are connected to a drain manifold. Plate sections are affixed to the upper end of the angle members and to the shell to define a nose cooling ring which is connected to the upper end of each angle section to define a return flow path for cooling water. Baffles are disposed in the nose cooling ring adjacent the margins of the angle members which are connected to the drain manifold to insure filling of the system.