Abstract: A method of smelting lead comprises the steps of containing a quantity of crude lead in an electric arc furnace, disposing a layer of coke or carbon granules over said lead, disposing at least two spaced apart electrodes in contact with said granules, energizing said electrodes for passing an electric current through said granules for heating said lead to at least its fusion temperature, and withdrawing the molten lead from beneath the granules.

Abstract: A process for refining a metal bath in a converter by oxygen blowing, particularly a molten metal liquid bath containing cold, solid substances, notably of scrap. Oxygen is distributed over the surface of the bath, so that there will be an after-combustion of CO released in the course of decarbonization. The thickness and consistency of a slag layer formed over the bath is actively regulated by injecting a rising inert gas through the bottom of the bath. The flow of rising gas may be regulated depending upon the oxygen content in the fumes of the converter, or upon the intensity of emission through the top of an oxygen blowing lance.

Abstract: The invention provides a method wherein alumina-containing slag from melting of spent alumina catalyst material is transported to a second furnace for finishing to satisfactory temperature, composition and quantity for casting as an abrasive material or cast refractory. In one embodiment of the invention, the molten alumina slag material is cast into an inclined trough for direct delivery from the spent catalyst furnace to the abrasive or refractory furnace for finishing.

Abstract: There is disclosed a compacted unit of metallurgical grade granular material selected from silicon and ferrosilicon comprising a compressed homogeneous mixture of a fine powder of a silicon material selected from the group consisting of silicon and ferrosilicon, said silicon material being finer than 160 .mu.m, from 2 to about 5% by weight of the silicon material of sodium or calcium bentonite and from 2 to about 5% by weight of the silicon material of sodium or calcium lignosulfonate. The novel compacted units are useful for use in industrial processes requiring substantially pure silicon or ferrosilicon.

Abstract: In a process for the production of steel with low hydrogen content in a through-blowing oxygen converter with nozzles arranged below the bath surface in the refractory brick lining, the nozzles composed of concentric pipes for introducing oxygen sheathed by a protective medium, and with an oxygen lance projecting into the converter opening, for a hydrogen content as low as possible of about 2 ppm maximum, at least half the total quantity of oxygen is blown onto the bath and the nozzles arranged below the bath surface are temporarily operated toward the termination of refining with a hydrogen-free gas.

Abstract: Oxygen is blown into an open hearth furnace beneath the surface of the molten metal through a jacketed tuyere, each tuyere angled toward the center of the furnace. A high volume of jacketing coolant is injected through two separate annular passageways around the oxygen to form a large skull around the tuyere. Apparatus is also disclosed for carrying out the process.

Abstract: A desulphurizing agent is blown into a metallurgical converter from a storage bin which is connected over a vane type bilowthrough feeder. Variable amounts of desulphurizing agents are fed through the inlet by margin the rotational speed of the vanes.

Abstract: A process for desulfurizing a bath of molten iron contained in a vessel comprising the injection of particulate lime and a particulate hydrocarbon containing carbon and hydrogen in properties ranging from CH.sub.>0 to CH.sub.2 and having a volatile matter concentration of 5 to 20%, by weight, or a premixture of the lime and hydrocarbon, which premixture has a loss on ignition factor of at least 11%, by weight.

Abstract: A crucible of a converter is mounted to a pair of supports and releasably coupled to a tilt drive. Secured to each of the supports is a bearing assembly within which a crucible trunnion is journalled. A slidable coupling shaft interconnects an internally toothed output gear of the tilt drive and an internally toothed gear fixed to one of the trunnions. The coupling shaft includes a spur gear adjacent each of its ends. One coupling gear engages the trunnion internal gear while the other engages the tilt drive internal gear. The peripheral surface of each coupling gear comprises a spherical segment to provide an articulated connection for accommodating axial misalignment between the trunnion and the tilt drive internal gears. To disconnect the crucible from the tilt drive, the coupling shaft is displaced axially away from the trunnion until the spherical segment gear disengages the trunnion gear. The coupling shaft includes a spindle coaxially mounted to its tilt drive end.

Abstract: A construction for the cone section zone of oxygen converter vessels consisting of a plurality of courses of refractory brick having a parallelogram configuration to provide a smooth surface for the working lining face.

Abstract: This invention relates to joining metallic parts by soldering and in particular to a soldering composition.A soldering composition in accordance with the present invention is solid at ambient temperatures and comprises a particulate soldering alloy or metal or oxide precursor thereof dispersed in a thermoplastic material. Conveniently, the soldering composition also includes one or more fluxes.

Abstract: An exothermic, reducing and basic ladle desulfurizing mix, and method for its use, which minimizes the temperature drop encounterd by the molten steel tapped from the furnace. The mix is comprised essentially of finely-divided particulate iron and/or manganese oxide, aluminum with minor magnesium and/or calcium alloying additions, and burnt lime. The need for other fluxing agents such as fluorspar is minimized or eliminated.

Abstract: A soldering flux comprises a mixture comprising a vehicle which is nonreactive with the portion of an electronic device to be contacted by the flux, an activator having at least one halogen atom and at least one destabilizing constituent and an acid solder surfactant selected from a polybasic carboxylic acid, a hydroxyl substituent thereof, a keto acid and a mixture of any of the foregoing surfactants.

Abstract: A cupola furnace has a hearth 1 with tuyeres 2, a floor 3 and a tapping duct 4 leading to a forehearth 5. To enable treatment agents to be introduced into the melt in the furnace below the surface of the melt, the furnace is additionally provided with a lance 17 which extends through lining brickwork of the furnace into a sump 15 in the floor of the furnace. The lance 17 may be connected to a hot blast ring main which supplies the tuyeres 2.

Abstract: A process for desulfurizing molten steel which includes the formation of a synthetic slag layer, the formation of a cover which occludes the ambient air, and the simultaneous injection of lime and a reactant agent which vaporizes within the molten steel.

Abstract: An additive for continuous casting of steel comprising as a base material a neutral to basic amorphous fluorine-containing calcium silicate containing up to 10% by weight R.sub.2 O.sub.3, wherein R represents Al and F, and up to 1.5% by weight P.sub.2 O.sub.5 ; this additive prevents surface defects on billets and final products derived therefrom in continuous casting.

Abstract: A powdery desulfurizer composition for injection desulfurization of molten iron, said composition comprising quicklime, diamide lime and calcium carbide.

Abstract: The refractory piece permeable to gases according to the invention is designed to be incorporated in the inner refractory lining of a metallurgical container so that one of its surfaces will be in contact with the molten metal bath in said container, the opposite surface being equipped with means for introducing a gas under pressure.This piece, whose shape is generally hexahedral, consists essentially of a mass of nonporous refractory material that has a number of local discontinuities 8 extending throughout the piece along its height h between the surface in contact with the molten metal and the opposite surface. In an advantageous method of embodiment, the local discontinuities 8 are obtained by an assembly 1, in a metal casing, of nonporous refractory elements 2, in the form of plates and which are placed side by side along their large lateral surfaces, without any material gaskets or seals between them.The piece according to the invention is easy to make.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing stainless steel comprising the steps of injecting a starting material containing chromium oxide and iron oxide into the lower portion of a reactor, said reactor containing a solid reducing agent, passing said starting material into a reduction zone within said lower portion, said reduction zone being maintained by the use of a plasma generator adjacent thereto, substantially instantaneously reducing and melting said starting material in said reduction zone, and removing the melted and reduced chromiferous product from the bottom of the reactor. The chromiferous product may then be further refined in an AOD convertor or the like.

Abstract: A core flux composition of a flux-cored wire for welding and surfacing high-strength steels with a gas-shielded process comprises the core flux ingredients taken in the following amounts, by weight %:______________________________________ rutile concentrate 14.0-23.0 fluorite concentrate 7.0-12.0 sodium fluosilicate 2.0-6.0 ferromanganese 6.0-10.0 ferrosilicon 1.5-4.0 ferromolibdenum 1.0-2.5 chromium (elemental) 1.0-2.5 nickel (elemental) 4.0-9.0 iron powder 31.0-63.