Abstract: A device is located between the outlet zone and the distribution zone of a tundish that is provided with a reheat system, such as a plasma torch, at one side of a heading chamber. The device includes a refractory unit pierced by at least a first conduit having the shape of a truncated cone curved towards the predefined zone of the heating chamber and preferably flared at this zone, so as to ensure that liquid steel flow coming from the outlet zone is guided unidirectionally towards the predefined zone of the heating chamber.

Abstract: This method comprises injecting a first primary plugging mass (4), mixed with a binder, having given composition and physico-chemical properties, and allowing this primary mass to thermically solidify; after a baking of this primary mass, drilling a hole (8) of a given length and thereby achieving a degassing, and injecting in this hole a second plugging mass, termed secondary mass, having suitable composition and physico-chemical properties which is mixed with a binder and is more fluid than the primary mass and has a hardening speed lower than the hardening speed of the primary mass, so that the secondary mass can diffuse into cracks in the primary mass before solidifying. The secondary mass reinforces the zones of the primary mass which have been rendered fragile by microcracking, and thereby again provides a suitable length of the tapping hole.

Abstract: A device repairs worn depressed surfaces around a tap hole opening in a blast furnace plate. The device includes a preformed frusto-conical member made of a refractory material that is flexible and rapidly baked. A ferrule is formed of frangible material and encloses the refractory member therein. The ferrule is fastened to the nose of a tap hole gun which impacts against the depressed surface thereby causing destruction of the ferrule and allowing adhering deformation of the refractory material to fill the worn depressed surface of the plate--around the tap hole.