Abstract: A gravity gradiometer is disclosed which has a sensor in the form of bars (41 and 42) which are supported on a mounting (5) which has a first mount section (10) and a second mount section (20). A first flexure web (33) pivotally couples the first and second mount sections about a first axis. The second mount has a first part (25), a second part (26) and a third part (27). The parts (25 and 26) are connected by a second flexure web (37) and the parts (26 and 27) are connected by a third flexure web (35). The bars (41 and 42) are located in housings (45 and 47) and form a monolithic structure with the housings (45 and 47) respectively. The housings (45 and 47) are connected to opposite sides of the second mount section 20. The bars (41 and 42) are connected to their respective housings by flexure webs (59). Transducers (71) are located in proximity to the bars for detecting movement of the bars to in turn enable the gravitational gradient tensor to be measured.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for crushing material, particularly mined material, are disclosed. In one embodiment two or more pairs of crushing rolls successively crush mined material. The pairs of crushing rolls are arranged and operated so that an upstream pair of rolls produces a feed, preferably a pressurized feed, for a downstream pair of rolls. In another embodiment, at least an upstream pair of rolls is driven intermittently, for example, by means of a stepping motor to provide stepped rotational movement of the rolls.

Abstract: Efficient coordination of processing (by desulphurizing) and moving hot metal from a direct smelter, producing hot metal on a continuous basis, to an electric arc furnace or furnaces, operating on a batch basis, is disclosed. The invention includes the use of hot metal storage devices, such as ladles, that are large enough to supply hot metal for a small number, preferably two or three, of electric arc furnace batch operations.

Abstract: Cooling panels (31) are attached to the shell (11) of a metallurgical vessel to form an internal lining of the shell. Each panel (31) comprises a coolant flow tube (36) bent to form inner and outer panel sections (37, 38) of zig-zag formation. Panel mounting pins (43) connected to the outer panel section (38) by connector straps project laterally outwardly from the panel through openings (45) in the shell and tubular shell protrusions (46) surrounding the openings (45). The ends of pins (43) are connected to the outer ends of protrusions (46) by welding metal discs (47) thus forming connections exteriorly of the shell in a way which seals the openings (45). Coolant inlet and outlet connectors (42) for the panel project outwardly through openings (48) in the shell and surrounding tubular protrusions (49) and connections are made by welding discs (51) between the connectors (42) and protrusions (49).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of tuning properties of a gravity gradiometer for measuring components of the gravity gradient tensor. The gravity gradiometer comprises a pair of first and second transversely arranged sensor masses that are arranged for movement about an axis and relative to each other in response to a gravity gradient. The gravity gradiometer further comprises first and second capacitors for sensing and influencing the movement of the first and second sensor masses. The method comprising applying a bias voltage to at least one of the capacitors for generating an electrostatic force which acts on one of the sensor masses and thereby influences the movement of that sensor mass.

Abstract: An apparatus for injecting gas into a metallurgical vessel supporting a metallurgical process is disclosed. The apparatus includes a gas flow duct, an elongate central structure extending within the gas flow duct, and a plurality of flow directing swirl vanes disposed about the central tubular structure adjacent the forward end of the duct. The flow directing vanes are formed with internal water flow passages for flow of cooling water internally along each vane. The elongate central structure is formed with a cooling water supply passage for supply of cooling water to the internal water flow passages in the vanes and a water return passage for outflow of cooling water which has passed through the internal water flow passages in the vanes.

Abstract: An apparatus for injecting particulate and/or gaseous material into a metallurgical vessel is disclosed. The apparatus includes a duct through which to inject the material, inner and outer water inflow and outflow passages extending through a wall of the duct and an annular duct tip disposed at the forward end of the duct. The duct tip is of annular formation and includes an annular inner end component, an annular outer end component, and an annular central component located between the inner and outer components. The duct tip also includes a plurality of radially extending dividers to divide a space between the outer end component and the central component into discrete radial passages to serve as the internal water flow passages of the tip.

Abstract: A metallurgical lance (27a) to extend through an opening in the wall of a smelting vessel barrel (16) and into the interior space of the vessel. Lance (27a) includes a central core tube (31) through which to pass solid particulate material into the vessel and an annular cooling jacket (32) surrounding the central core tube (31) throughout a substantial part of its length. Lance (27a) has a mounting structure (61) comprising an outer annular part (60) extended about cooling jacket (32) and about twice the diameter of the cooling jacket. The outer annular part (60) fits within a tubular lance mounting bracket (62) welded to the shell (16a) of vessel barrel (16) to extend outwardly from the vessel. The lance is held within mounting bracket (62) by clamping bolts acting between flanges (63,65) on the outer annular part (60) and mounting bracket (62).

Abstract: A gravity gradiometer is disclosed which has a sensor in the form of bars (41 and 42) which are supported on a mounting (5) which has a first mount section (10) and a second mount section (20). A first flexure web (33) pivotally couples the first and second mount sections about a first axis. The second mount has a first part (25), a second part (26) and a third part (27). The parts (25 and 26) are connected by a second flexure web (37) and the parts (26 and 27) are connected by a third flexure web (35). The bars (41 and 42) are located in housings (45 and 47) and form a monolithic structure with the housings (45 and 47) respectively. The housings (45 and 47) are connected to opposite sides of the second mount section 20. The bars (41 and 42) are connected to their respective housings by flexure webs (59). Transducers (71) are located in proximity to the bars for detecting movement of the bars to in turn enable the gravitational gradient tensor to be measured.

Abstract: A direct smelting process for producing molten metal from a metalliferous feed material in a direct smelting vessel is disclosed. The process includes using a stream of off-gas from the vessel as a fuel gas in (i) stoves for generating a hot blast of air or oxygen-enriched air for the process and (ii) a waste heat recovery apparatus for generating steam for the process. The process also includes controlling pressure in the vessel by controlling pressure in the off-gas stream while the process is producing molten metal.

Abstract: A gravity gradiometer is disclosed which has a sensor in the form of bars (41 and 42) which are supported on a mounting (5) which has a first mount section (10) and a second mount section (20). A first flexure web (33) pivotally couples the first and second mount sections about a first axis. The second mount has a first part (25), a second part (26) and a third part (27). The parts (25 and 26) are connected by a second flexure web (37) and the parts (26 and 27) are connected by a third flexure web (35). The bars (41 and 42) are located in housings (45 and 47) and form a monolithic structure with the housings (45 and 47) respectively. The housings (45 and 47) are connected to opposite sides of the second mount section 20. The bars (41 and 42) are connected to their respective housings by flexure webs (59). Transducers (71) are located in proximity to the bars for detecting movement of the bars to in turn enable the gravitational gradient tensor to be measured.

Abstract: Metallurgical processing installation comprising a metallurgical vessel lined internally with water cooled panels. A vessel access tower (61) fits around vessel (11) and supports a coolant flow system (62) to provide for flow of cooling water to and from the cooling panels within the vessel through water inlet and outlet connections (42,43) distributed around the exterior of the vessel. Coolant flow system (62) includes large diameter water supply and return pipes (66,67) mounted on an upper part of the tower (61) to extend around the upper end of vessel (11), a first series of vertical dropper pipes (68) of relatively small diameter connected to the main water supply pipe 66 and extending downwardly to connections with the water inlet connectors for respecting cooling panels of the vessel and a second series of smaller diameter vertical pipes (69) connected at their upper ends to the main return pipe (67) and at their lower ends to undivided outlet connectors for the cooling panels in the vessel.

Abstract: A gravity gradiometer is disclosed which has a sensor in the form of bars (41 and 42) which are supported on a mounting (5) which has a first mount section (10) and a second mount section (20). A first flexure web (33) pivotally couples the first and second mount sections about a first axis. The second mount has a first part (25), a second part (26) and a third part (27). The parts (25 and 26) are connected by a second flexure web (37) and the parts (26 and 27) are connected by a third flexure web (35). The bars (41 and 42) are located in housings (45 and 47) and form a monolithic structure with the housings (45 and 47) respectively. The housings (45 and 47) are connected to opposite sides of the second mount section 20. The bars (41 and 42) are connected to their respective housings by flexure webs (59). Transducers (71) are located in proximity to the bars for detecting movement of the bars to in turn enable the gravitational gradient tensor to be measured.

Abstract: A gravity gradiometer is disclosed which has a sensor in the form of bars (41 and 42) which are supported on a mounting (5) which has a first mount section (10) and a second mount section (20). A first flexure web (33) pivotally couples the first and second mount sections about a first axis. The second mount has a first part (25), a second part (26) and a third part (27). The parts (25 and 26) are connected by a second flexure web (37) and the parts (26 and 27) are connected by a third flexure web (35). The bars (41 and 42) are located in housings (45 and 47) and form a monolithic structure with the housings (45 and 47) respectively. The housings (45 and 47) are connected to opposite sides of the second mount section 20. The bars (41 and 42) are connected to their respective housings by flexure webs (59). Transducers (71) are located in proximity to the bars for detecting movement of the bars to in turn enable the gravitational gradient tensor to be measured.

Abstract: A steelmaking process is disclosed. The process includes producing molten steel and molten steelmaking slag in a steelmaking process, the steelmaking slag including iron units and flux units, and thereafter producing molten iron in a molten bath based direct smelting process using a substantial portion of the steelmaking slag as part of the feed material requirements for the direct smelting process. A direct smelting process is also disclosed. The process includes pre-treating ferrous material including steelmaking slag and thereafter direct smelting molten iron using the pretreated ferrous material as part of the feed material for the process.

Abstract: A method of cold starting a molten bath-based direct smelting process for producing molten iron in a vessel (3) is disclosed. The method includes a step of preheating the vessel before supplying solid feed materials into the vessel. The method also includes a subsequent step of supplying an oxygen-containing gas and solid feed materials including material for forming slag, iron-containing feed material, and carbonaceous material into the vessel and generating heat and forming a bath of molten material that includes molten iron and molten slag in the vessel. This step includes supplying feed materials to promote formation of molten slag over molten iron in an early stage of developing the molten bath.

Abstract: Method of building a direct smelting plant comprising a metal smelting vessel (11) and ancillary plant components such as the components of a hot air supply station (24), an offgas treatment station (32), a solids feed station (41), a hot metal desulphurization station (47) and hot metal and slag launders extending from the smelting vessel (11). The ring track (53) of a ringer crane (51) is installed in front of location at which vessel (11) is to be installed. Crane boom (54) is laid out along elongate stretch of the building site which becomes a corridor (60) between major ancillary components when plant is fully erected. Boom (54) is connected to crane carriage (52) and hoisted to provide high lift capacity over a ground area embracing proposed site of vessel (11) and ancillary components. Prefabricated components are then lifted by crane (51) into appropriate position for final installation.

Abstract: A gravity gradiometer is described which comprises a pair of sensor bars arranged in housings. Transducers are arranged adjacent the bars for measuring movement of the bars in response to the gravity gradient tensor. At least one of the transducers has a sensing coil and a capacitor plate having a concentric arrangement with the sensing coil for providing one plate of a capacitor used in a balancing circuit for measuring the balance of the sensor mass.

Abstract: A direct smelting vessel (3) for operating a molten bath-based direct smelting process under pressure conditions in the vessel is disclosed. The vessel includes a forehearth (67) for tapping molten metal continuously from the vessel. The forehearth includes an open connection (97) that extends through a side wall of the vessel into the interior of the vessel. The open connection is formed to dampen the impact of sudden changes in pressure in the vessel on molten metal flow in the forehearth that could result in an undesirable surge of molten metal from the forehearth. The open connection is also formed so that molten metal does not freeze in the connection for at least 6 hours when molten metal is not being discharged from the vessel into the forehearth via the open connection.

Abstract: A gravity gradiometer and method for forming a pivot flexure web for a gradiometer is disclosed. The gradiometer has measurement bars 41, 43 supported in housings 45 and 47 and transducers 71 for measuring movement of the bars to provide an indication of the gravity gradient tensor. The bars 41, 43 are mounted on flexure webs. The webs are formed in separate elements to the housing and bars.