Abstract: The invention relates to a drive for an automatic lance-changing device, such as is used in the top-blowing steel-making process. Such a lance-changing device comprises two lance-receiving hooks pivotable about a horizontal axis of rotation, means for the synchronous vertical displacement of these hooks relative to the lance carriage and to the coupling head, means which, during this displacement of the hooks, cause these hooks to execute a pivoting movement about their said axis of rotation, and means for detecting by measurement the load acting on each hook, the latter being a function of the force with which the lance top part is pressed against said coupling head by the hooks. The drive of this invention is a lifting-spindle system, by means of which a vertically displaceable suspension ring for suspension hooks of the lance top part is driven.

Abstract: A process and an arrangement are disclosed for the removal of a low-melting embedding body from a higher-melting embedded component. A groove is provided along a molding-in base of the component and by means of the widening of the groove via heatable elements, the resulting halves of the embedding body are removed. The process and the arrangement are particularly suitable for separating embedded guide and moving blades from the manufactured embedding body.

Abstract: A ladle arrangement intended for use when treating a metal melt, in which gas or gas/powder mixture is delivered to the melt (2) which substantially fills the ladle (1), and departing gases are extracted by suction through a hood mounted above the ladle. The inventive ladle arrangement is effective to permit the gas or gas/powder mixture to be delivered to the melt in a large volumetric flow, wherewith the melt will bubble and splash vigorously. For the purpose of restricting the effects of these melt splashes to a defined space above the melt (2), the gas extraction hood has the form of a lid (7) which is intended to substantially seal against the upper edge of the ladle (1). The lid is configured so that the volume (6) defined by the lid above the melt will correspond to a substantial part, preferably at least half, of the volume of the melt (2) in the ladle (1). The side surfaces of the lid (7) define splash droplet pathway operative to return the droplets to the melt in the ladle.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for absorbing zinc vapour in a molten lead is characterized in that a gas containing zinc vapour is contacted with and then separated form a flowing stream of molten lead in a cyclone.

Abstract: A method for improving the yield of gold and silver from a Merrill-Crowe recovery process where the presence of copper effects yield. The method involves the addition of a substoichiometric amount of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid in combination with a phosphonate and polyacrylic copolymer scale control agent. The method also reduces zinc consumption and controls scaling in the stripping circuit.

Abstract: An arrangement for use when treating a melt, particularly a metal melt (2) in a converter (1) with gas, for the purpose of intensifying and rendering effective the contact between gas and melt and to produce effective admixture of the gas with the melt. The arrangement includes at least one nozzle (5) which discharges into the melt (2) and which is operative to deliver the gas in the form of at least one high pressure jet. For the purpose of producing a high gas pressure of such value as to produce a finely-divided mixture of gas and melt in a jet zone (10) in the melt (2), a pressure-elevating device (9) is incorporated in the fluid line connected to the nozzle (5). The invention also relates to a method of treating a metal melt in a converter.

Abstract: Utilization of metal chips, especially scrap metal chips, particularly brass and aluminum, by introduction of the metal chips into a pool of molten metal of which they are formed or an alloy thereof, with minimization of fuel cost, heat loss, and minimal conversion of the metal at the surface of the molten metal pool to metal oxide, as well as an increase in the yield of utilizable metal from the remelting or recycling operation, by maintaining a non-oxidizing atmosphere at the surface of the molten metal pool and optionally utilizing vaporized residual impurities from chips being recycled such as oil, lacquer, or similar vaporizable impurity to assist in maintaining the non-oxidizing atmosphere, thereby permitting elimination of impurity-removal steps previously required for preparation of the chips for recycling by introduction into such a molten metal pool, and thereby also conveniently and simultaneously substantially reducing environmental pollution from vaporizable contaminants, fumes, and decomposition

Abstract: Standard cyanide-extraction techniques are coupled with carbon adsorption to facilitate the recovery of precious metals. The carbon is in the minus eighty mesh size range and is removed from a slurry by flotation. The loaded carbon is then dried and destroyed by direct fusion to produce dore bullion.

Abstract: A sublimer assembly vaporizes zirconium tetrachloride in a Kroll reduction process. A retort for vaporizing the feed has a sidewall extending from a bottom wall with a peripheral heater adjacent to the sidewall and an internal heater extending through the retort. Substantial contact between the feed and the surfaces of the internal heater and retort sidewall is maintained so that the vaporization rate tends to cycle and the time required to vaporize the feed may be substantially reduced.

Abstract: For the metallurgical treatment of a molten metal bath (1) in a metallurgical smelting and refining vessel (3), additive substances (43) which are capable of flow, in particular lime, are supplied in a granular to dust state, at least during a part of the refining phase, to the upper region of the inward side (15') of the vessel wall (11), distributed around the periphery thereof. At the vessel wall (11) the additive substances (43) form a barrier or protective layer which reduces the energy losses and increases the service life of the vessel (3).

Abstract: The specification discloses a process for pre-heating and pre-reducing metal oxide ores. The process comprises introducing particles of an oxide ore entrained in a gas through a port into a treatment chamber. Inside the treatment chamber teh stream of entrained particles combines with a stream of high temperature reducing gas in such a way that the particles are heated rapidly and enter into flow patterns whereby contact with other particles and the internal surface of the treatment chamber is minimized. The stream of entrained particles and the stream of high temperature reducing gas are substantially co-current. A treatment chamber elongated in the direction of co-current flow is described in the specification. The hot off-gases may be derived from a molten bath reactor and comprise a high concentration of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: An arrangement for introducing and removing a lance into and out of a tiltable metallurgical vessel has drive means stationarily arranged in the direction of the lance axis and means for pivotal mounting of the drive means. The lance is designed as a guide and is guided by the drive means and is movable in the direction of its axis. In a method using the above arrangement for positioning the lance relative to the metallurgical vessel, the actual position of the vessel is taken up by a position transmitter on said vessel, and the drive means is actuated to position the lance in dependence on that actual position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of removing zinc from a phosphating process sludge wherein the phosphating process sludge is mixed with an additive adapted to form slaglike compounds of iron, calcium and/or barium with the phosphorus component of the phosphating process sludges. The mixture is reacted at temperatures of at least 800.degree. C. under reducing conditions. A previous agglomeration, particularly pelletizing, of the mixture will be of advantage. For a formation of iron compounds it will be particularly desirable to employ reaction temperatures of at least 900.degree. C., preferably of at least 1000.degree. C. and most preferably of at least 1100.degree. C. Metallurgical dusts are particularly suitable additives. For a formation of iron compounds it will be desirable to select a Fe:P molar ratio of at least 1.0 in case of a reaction temperature of .ltoreq.950.degree. C., of at least 1.5 in case of a reaction temperature of 950.degree. to 1050.degree. C., and of at least 2.

Abstract: The maximum useful rate of aluminum refining is substantially increased by the incorporation of baffle means across the refining chamber under the rotor of a spinning nozzle assembly positioned in the refining chamber during aluminum refining operations.

Abstract: A method of recycling hazardous and non-hazardous industrial wastes to reclaim valuable metals, metal alloys, and metal oxides, and to produce mineral wool. Wastes including hazardous wastes of USEPA Series D, F, P, K, and U are pulverized and blended with liquids such as water or wastewater to produce a homogeneous mass. Calcium from calcium-stabilized wastes is used to enhance the quality of the mineral wool, lower the sulfur content, remove phosphorous, and raise pH to facilitate metal reduction. The mass is formed into briquettes and melted in a cupola or shaft furnace in the presence of carbon or aluminum to reduce metals. Other types of furnaces such as an electric arc furnace may be used to avoid the steps of forming and curing briquettes. Reduction is carried out at temperatures between 1660 and 3100 degrees Fahrenheit. Reducible metals are reduced and drawn off into molds. Substantial purity is obtained in the recovered reducible metals.

Abstract: In a control method of material dumping at top of a blast furnace, in which material stored in a furnace top bunker is dumped through a flow rate control gate into a blast furnace in a specified time, value of initial material weight before the transfer start, divided by the specified time is set to first target dumping speed, and opening of the flow rate control gate is feedback controlled based on the measured material weight during dumping, so that the actual dumping speed after the dumping start is coincident with the first target dumping speed, and further, if necessary, remaining material weight in the furnace top bunker on the way of dumping is actually measured and value of the remaining material weight divided by the remaining time is set to second target dumping speed, and opening of the flow rate control gate is feedback controlled, based on the measured material weight during dumping, so that the second dumping speed after the measurement of the remaining material weight is coincident with the sec

Abstract: A combustion piping system for a metal melting furnace is disclosed in which a sieve is used upstream of a flashback arrester to collect particulate matter carried in the fuel flow to the furnace so as to minimize maintenance of the flashback arrester. The sieve is mounted in a sieve holder that is arranged to be rapidly removed from and replaced in the piping system during furnace operation so as to minimize the pressure drop in the fuel flow to the furnace.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering metallic aluminum from furnace dross. The method includes reducing the particle size of the dross and passing the resulting dross particles over the surface of an inclined linear induction motor to separate the more conductive, aluminum-metal-containing particles from the less or non-conductive particles that contain little or no metallic aluminum. The linear induction motor provides an electromagnetic field that operates to levitate the conductive, aluminum-containing particles, while those particles that include little or no aluminum are not affected by the electromagnetic field. A flow splitter positioned at the lower end of the motor separates the conductive particles from the substantially non-conductive particles. Metallic aluminum recovery rates of about 55% and higher of the aluminum contained in the furnace dross have been achieved. The resulting product has been enriched by a factor of twelve times over that of the infeed material.

Abstract: In a method for decarburizing metals and alloys, a two-gas component mixture consisting only of oxygen and carbon dioxide is introduced into molten metals or alloys at least during the first decarburization phase.

Abstract: A plant for the production of molten metals includes a melting vessel in whose wall burners and optionally oxygen-containing-gas feeding ducts are installed and on whose upper end a charging device as well as a gas evacuation duct receiving the offgases forming enter.In order to enable the continuous charging of the melting vessel by avoiding any unintentional escape of gas from the melting vessel, both the gas evacuation duct and the charging means run into the upper end of the furnace shaft laterally and approximately diametrically opposite each other. The charging means projects into a charging opening brushed over by a gas curtain and an intake chute for charging material is provided below the charging opening in a manner directed towards the center of the furnace shaft.