Abstract: A refractory block configured to surround an outlet modifies, within a refractory vessel, the flow of molten metal passing through the outlet. The block takes the form of a base through which a main orifice passes, and a wall extending upwards around the periphery of the base. Structural features that may be included in the block include a circumferential lip around the exterior of the wall, an interior volume in which the radius decreases downwardly towards the main orifice in a plurality of steps, and flow openings in the wall that are configured to induce swirling in the flow pattern in the interior volume of the block.

Abstract: A lance for top injection of a fluid in metallurgical vessels comprises an inner tube, a refractory sheath surrounding the inner tube, an anchoring point rigidly coupled to said inner tube and at least partially embedded in the refractory sheath, an annular gap separating the inner tube from the refractory sheath; at least one annular guide surrounding the inner tube and comprising: an annular portion circumscribing the inner tube, and at least two anchor protrusions rigidly extending transversally from the annular portion and at least partially embedded in the refractory sheath, wherein a guide gap is formed between the annular portion and an outer surface of the inner tube. The at least two anchor protrusions are distributed over the external surface of the annular portion, separated from one another by an angle comprised between 90° and 270°.

Abstract: A lining for a metallurgical vessel is configured to have an engineered porosity. The lining contains a plurality of regions, each extending in a primary plane of the lining, each region having a differing value of total pore or perforation area as measured in a primary plane of the lining. The lining may be used to form part or all of the working surface of the floors or walls of the vessel. In casting use the lining produces an oxidation buffering layer at an interphase of metal melt extending from the interface between metal melt and the walls and floor of the metallurgical vessel, such that when in casting use, the metal flow rate in said oxidation buffering layer is substantially nil, and the concentration of endogenous inclusions, in particular oxides, in said oxidation buffering layer is substantially higher than in the bulk of the metal melt.

Abstract: A refractory formulation containing an anhydrous solvent, an oleophilic rheology modifier and a refractory aggregate exhibits non-thermoplastic behavior, and remains plastic and formable at temperatures in the range of 10 degrees Celsius to 180 degrees Celsius. The oleophilic rheology modifier may effectively bind with the solvent to create a gel-like structure with organic solvents with moderate to high polarity. A phyllosilicate clay that has been treated with a quaternary fatty acid amine may be used as the oleophilic rheology modifier.

Abstract: A tube exchange device for holding and replacing refractory nozzle comprises a frame with a casting opening. The frame is configured to be fixed to the lower side of a metal casting vessel. The frame is has an upper portion and a lower portion joining at a middle section plane in which an inner nozzle and an exchangeable pouring nozzle form a sliding contact. The lower portion of the frame contains a displacing element and a guiding element disposed for displacing and guiding the nozzle from a standby position to a casting position, and a pressing element pressing the nozzle at the casting position towards the upper portion of the frame. In a combination of the tube exchange device and a nozzle, the nozzle comprises bearing elements mating with the clamping elements of the tube exchange device.

Abstract: A gas purging plug for blowing gas into a metallurgical vessel, having the form of an elongated body made of a first refractory material, contains a final visual wear indicator in the form of an elongated core extending from an inlet end to a distance, along a central longitudinal axis, less than the length of the elongated body. The final visual wear indicator is made of a second refractory material that differs in visual appearance from the first refractory material between 800 and 1500 degrees C. The plug also contains an intermediate visual wear indicator extending from the inlet end to a point between the end of the final visual wear indicator and the opposite end of the elongated body. The intermediate visual wear indicator is made of a third refractory material that differs in visual appearance from the first and second refractory materials between 800 and 1500 degrees C.

Abstract: A refractory formulation containing an anhydrous solvent, an oleophilic rheology modifier and a refractory aggregate exhibits non-thermoplastic behavior, and remains plastic and formable at temperatures in the range of 10 degrees Celsius to 180 degrees Celsius. The oleophilic rheology modifier may effectively bind with the solvent to create a gel-like structure with organic solvents with moderate to high polarity. A phyllosilicate clay that has been treated with a quaternary fatty acid amine may be used as the oleophilic rheology modifier.

Abstract: A roll for use in glass manufacture, such as in the production of non-dusting TFT glass, includes a hollow silica cylinder. A rod extends through the interior of the silica cylinder. A cooling volume is contained within the cylinder and extends around the rod. End caps are mechanically fixed to the roll. Pulling flats are fixed in place by inner and outer end plates. A compression fitting secures at least the outer end plate to the roll. The rod may serve to reinforce the roll and may be secured to the shaft by a plurality of supports. The supports accommodate differences in thermal expansion.

Abstract: A pour tube for casting molten metal is adapted to reduce turbulence and mold disturbances, thereby producing a more stable, uniform outflow. The pour tube has a central longitudinal axis and includes a bore in communication with a port distributor having a greater radius with respect to the longitudinal axis than does the bore. Exit ports provide fluid communication between the port distributor and the exterior of the device. Each of a pair of larger exit ports has a larger cross-sectional area than does either of a pair of smaller exit ports.

Abstract: A thin slab nozzle comprises: a central bore defined by a bore wall and opening at inlet orifice and extending therefrom along the longitudinal axis X1 until it is closed at an upstream end of a divider, said central bore comprising: an upstream bore portion comprising the inlet orifice and extending over a height, Ha, and, adjacent thereto, forming an upstream boundary with a converging bore portion of height He located in the connecting portion of the thin slab nozzle, and adjacent thereto a thin bore portion of height Hf located in the diffusing portion of the thin slab nozzle and ending at the level of the upstream end of the divider, first and second front ports separated from one another by said divider and coupled to the central bore portion at least partially at the converging bore portion; characterized in that, in a section of the thin slab nozzle along the first symmetry plane ?1 defined by (X1, X2) wherein X2 is normal to X1, the geometry of the wall of the central bore is characterized as

Abstract: A metallurgical ladle, and more particularly the bottom of the ladle or a ladle block in the bottom of the ladle, have an outlet through which the molten metal can drain. The ladle bottom contains an open-end channel bounded by at least one wall with a major dimension perpendicular to a line joining the center of the outlet entrance to the center of the wall. In selected configurations, opposing faces of the walls bounding the open-end channel are convex in the horizontal plane and concave in the horizontal plane, respectively.

Abstract: A formulation containing polymer, resin and cement combined with aggregate can be used as a gunnable mix that is applied to a surface by being conveyed pneumatically in dry form to a nozzle, where water is added. Polymer in the gunnable mix enables it to adhere and bond to a surface, such as carbon brick, of a lining of a vessel used for the containment of molten metals. The formulation may be used, for example, to repair and protect blast furnace hearth linings.

Abstract: A refractory device, such as a replacement purge plug containing a refractory material, is configured to be inserted in the bottom of a ladle for introducing purging gas through a heat of molten metal in a ladle. One or more geometrical features on the lateral surface of the purge plug facilitate the installation of the purge plug into a housing block that has been subjected to erosion.

Abstract: A device for blowing gas into a metallurgical vessel contains at least one gas flow channel fluidly connecting a gas inlet located at one end to a gas outlet located at the opposite end. The channel is in the shape of a slit. The gas channel contains a series of continuous concave bridges connecting the opposing surfaces defining the channel, with their concave side oriented towards the gas outlet. The concave bridges are disposed in a staggered arrangement, such that any shortest line running from the gas outlet to the gas inlet of the channel necessarily intercepts the concave side of at least one bridge. The device is resistant to clogging by infiltrated molten metal or slag.

Abstract: A nozzle for casting steel contains an inlet portion, an elongated portion extending along a first longitudinal axis, an outlet portion and a pouring bore having a front port inlet. A planar cut of the nozzle outlet portion normal to the first longitudinal axis passing through the front port inlet contains the outline of the bore, the outline of the outer peripheral wall of the outlet portion of the nozzle, and a first transverse axis. In the planar cut, the bore centroid and wall centroid are distinct and separated by a distance, d?0; and the segment extending along the first transverse axis, from the bore centroid, to the wall perimeter is longer than the segment extending from the wall centroid to the intersecting point between the first transverse axis and the wall perimeter.

Abstract: A nozzle for casting steel comprises an inlet portion, an elongated portion extending along a longitudinal axis from the inlet portion, an outlet portion comprising a front port, and a pouring bore. A planar cut of the nozzle outlet portion along a plane normal to the longitudinal axis comprises the outline of the outer peripheral wall of the outlet portion of the nozzle defined by the wall perimeter and the wall centroid of the area defined by said wall perimeter, and a first transverse axis passing by the bore centroid and extending along a direction parallel to the orthogonal projection of the front port direction onto the plane of the cut. The nozzle comprises no front port extending along a direction opposite to the direction of the first front port with respect to the longitudinal axis and belonging to the plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the front port direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to refractory articles in general having improved surface properties. The objective of the invention is to propose an improvement of the refractory articles comprised of a fused silica matrix which will overcome the some of the defects while keeping the excellent known properties of the fused silica matrix. This objective is reached when a sintered ceramic phase is present in the porosity of at least a portion of at least a surface of the matrix. The present invention also relates to a process for producing such an article.

Abstract: A tundish impact pad formed from refractory material comprises a base having an impact surface which, in use, faces upwardly against a stream of molten metal entering a tundish, and a wall extending upwardly from the base around at least a part of the periphery of the impact surface. The wall has at least one latitudinal portion. An inwardly-extending feature protrudes from the latitudinal wall. The inwardly-extending feature inhibits flow exiting the impact pad from passing over the center of the latitudinal portion of the wall.

Abstract: A purge plug containing a refractory material is configured to be inserted in the bottom of a ladle for introducing purging gas through a heat of molten metal in the ladle. The purge plug houses a retention chamber for holding the lead content of lead-containing molten steel alloys that leaches into, or infiltrates into, the purge plug. The purging gas supply tube is provided with a portion that protrudes into the retention chamber, thereby preventing the lead content of lead-containing molten steel alloys from entering and blocking the purging gas supply tube.

Abstract: A tube exchange device for holding and replacing refractory nozzle comprises a frame with a casting opening. The frame is configured to be fixed to the lower side of a metal casting vessel. The frame is has an upper portion and a lower portion joining at a middle section plane in which an inner nozzle and an exchangeable pouring nozzle form a sliding contact. The lower portion of the frame contains a displacing element and a guiding element disposed for displacing and guiding the nozzle from a standby position to a casting position, and a pressing element pressing the nozzle at the casting position towards the upper portion of the frame. In a combination of the tube exchange device and a nozzle, the nozzle comprises bearing elements mating with the clamping elements of the tube exchange device.