Abstract: The pressurization and depressurization of a container, and specifically a feed hopper for materials to be delivered to the interior of a blast furnace, is accomplished with the aid of pressure equalization devices which each include a valve and a wear and sound reducing mechanism immediately downstream of the valve. The wear and sound reduction mechanism subdivides the stream of gas, which may contain entrained particulate matter, into a plurality of jets which are caused to follow a zig-zag trajectory.

Abstract: A valve actuator, for example a mechanism for imparting motion to a blast furnace evacuation valve, includes a force generator which is coupled to the valve member by a displacement mechanism including a pivotal lever and a pivot arm. The pivotal lever has a pair of angularly related arms with the free end of one arm being coupled to the force generator and the free end of the second arm being coupled to a point on the pivot arm intermediate the ends thereof by a connecting rod or rods. The pivot arm is connected to the valve member and the connecting rod or rods are articulated to both the pivot arm and to the second lever arm which may be telescoping.

Abstract: Cooling of the wall of a shaft furnace is achieved through the use of a plurality of individual cooling elements, through which a coolant may be circulated, which cooperate to form a lining immediately inwardly of the furnace metal shell. The cooling elements are supported on the shell, rather than being secured thereto, and may be replaced by removal through openings in the shell which are normally hermetically sealed by covers.

Abstract: Lubrication for a rotary shaft positioned within the upper region of a blast furnace is accomplished by mounting a mechanically actuated pump for rotation with a reduction gear box through which the rotatable shaft is driven. The pump is periodically operated by means of an adjustable cam plate mounted on a sector gear which is affixed to the rotatable shaft; torque being transmitted to the shaft via the sector gear which is driven by a pinion coupled to the reduction gearing.

Abstract: A process for treating bituminous schists including the steps of crushing the bituminous schist, feeding said schist to the top of a retort, pyrolyzing the crushed schist in said retort as it is moved downwardly therein through a combustion zone into which air is introduced, removing volatiles from the upper part of the retort, and removing spent schist from the bottom of the retort, said process being characterized by maintaining the combustion zone at a predetermined level in the retort by feeding the schist in a gradual and even manner.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding bituminous schist to a series of retorts each equipped with a rotary distribution spout and a central feed channel, the retorts radiating from a central schist distributing tower. At least one hopper communicates with a central feed channel communicating with the retort, and is laterally offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the retort. Conveyor belts are provided for conveying schists from the central distributing tower to the hopper or the hoppers of each retort.

Abstract: Intercrystalline stress corrosion of the walls of heat exchangers employed to produce hot air for injection into a blast furnace, particularly the wall of the passage interconnecting the combustion and heat exchange chambers, is avoided by eliminating pressure differentials across the walls. Also, the walls of the heat exchanger are heated to a temperature above the condensation point of deleterious vapors present or formed in the apparatus to thereby further minimize the possibility of occurrence of stress corrosion.

Abstract: A gas generator, for example a blast furnace, is isolated from an exhaust gas treatment system by means of an isolation valve characterized by a valve housing which may be permanently installed in the gas delivery conduit. The housing has a laterally offset recess which receives the valve member when in the open position and the valve member may define a liquid receiving vessel in the interest of establishing a liquid barrier between the interior of the conduit and the valve seat when the valve is closed. The valve is preferably hydraulically operated and the actuator is mounted so as to minimize loading on the control shaft bearings.

Abstract: The servicing of clay guns used in plugging the pouring holes of blast furnaces is facilitated by providing for the access to the sealant receiving cylinders of such clay guns through the front end thereof and without disassembling the clay gun from their actuators. Ease of access results from providing a cylinder front end extension which may easily be removed from axial alignment with the cylinder and which receives and accommodates at least that portion of the clay gun ejector piston which bears sealing rings when the piston has been extended to its limit of travel.

Abstract: The surface contour of material deposited on the hearth of a furnace is sensed by measuring the height of the material on the furnace axis and at a plurality of points about the periphery of the furnace. The height on the furnace axis is measured with an instrument mounted on the axis of a furnace having an internally mounted steerable material distribution chute with the instrument being positioned vertically above the chute and the feed channel through which charge material is delivered to the chute.

Abstract: Apparatus including a channel defining member and a movable flow control device cooperating therewith for exercising variable control over the rate of delivery of charge material from a hopper to a furnace is disclosed. The channel defining member approximates an oval shape and the flow control device is a concave shaped member which rotates from a full open to a full closed position along the major axis of the oval and with respect to the discharge end of the channel defining member.

Abstract: A charge metering system for a shaft furnace is disclosed. The furnace charging apparatus includes means for continuously measuring the charge material in a supply hopper and a metering valve for controlling the material flow rate from the supply hopper. In order to permit accurate charge weight measurement the supply hopper is isolated from dimensional displacements which may be induced in the furnace and associated equipment during operation by means of an articulated suspension system comprising a three hinged arch construction.

Abstract: A method for the controlled delivery of ore charges to a shaft furnace is disclosed. The method employs apparatus including a plurality of sensors on which an intermediate charge storage hopper is supported whereby continuous measurement of charge weight is permitted. The apparatus also includes means for establishing hermetic coupling of the storage hopper to the furnace whereby compensation for temperature and pressure induced positional displacements and biasing of the sensors is permitted.

Abstract: Leakage of viscous material past an ejector piston, for example the piston of a clay gun employed in plugging blast furnace tapholes, is eliminated by a piston and ring design which exposes in excess of 50% of the leading and inner diameter surfaces of an expandable ring directly to the viscous material. Also, the leading face of the piston ring is outwardly inclined in the direction of piston travel and a complementary surface to this inclined face is provided on the piston. Expansion of the ring results from the reaction on the inclined face and inner diameter of the pressurized viscous material.

Abstract: A device for the extraction of gaseous samples and for thermal measurement above the burden of a shaft furnace includes at least one probe arm resonantly positioned in a horizontal plane above the burden. Means are provided for pivoting the probe arm above the burden from a rest position juxtaposed the furnace wall so that the entire surface of the burden can be scanned.

Abstract: The efficiency of operation of a taphole plugging clay gun for a blast furnace is enhanced by facilitating the cleaning of the sealant receiving chamber thereof behind the ejector piston which moves therein. Cleaning is facilitated by providing a protective casing which defines an annular chamber into which sealant leaking past or falling behind the ejector piston is forced; the annular chamber being provided with cleaning ports in the side wall.

Abstract: A rotatable and angularly adjustable charging and distribution device for shaft furnaces, particularly blast furnaces, is presented. A cylindrical or frustoconical distribution spout is suspended at three points which define a plane. The three points of suspension are caused to move longitudinally (i.e. substantially vertically) and synchronously whereby the lateral surface of the distribution spout may be caused to move in a path which is virtually conical without rotating the suspension points about the vertical axis of the furnace. The suspension points may be moved either by delivering a driving force to them or by applying a traction force to them.

Abstract: The service life of the components of a bell-less shaft furnace charging installation is enhanced by controlling the trajectory of charge material delivered thereto to obtain an essentially entirely vertical discharge from a discharge funnel through a feed channel to the furnace. Also, erosion of the wall of the discharge funnel is minimized by creating an annular build up of charge material about the discharge end of the funnel, the material build up extending along the funnel wall to at least the impact region of freely falling charge material delivered thereto.

Abstract: A tuyere stock for use in the delivery of heated gas from a source to a furnace and characterized by the provision of a rigid connection between the injection nozzle portion of the stock and the blast tuyere which injects the heated gas to the furnace interior is disclosed. The injection nozzle portion of the tuyere stock is supported by guide means which maintains the blast tuyere in its proper operating position by preventing angular movement thereof while permitting motion thereof resulting from thermal expansion. The tuyere stock is further characterized by means which urges the blast tuyere against the furnace wall with a preselected minimum force.

Abstract: Segmented conduits for transmitting heated fluid, and particularly tuyere feed lines for injecting preheated air into shaft furnaces, have an annular cooling chamber incorporated into the coupling joints between conduit sections. The cooling chambers are positioned inwardly toward the conduit axis with respect to flexible bellows devices which heremetically seal the articulated coupling joints.