Abstract: Disclosed is an installation for the treatment and handling of metallurgical slag which includes means for the disintegration of a flow of pyroplastic slag by mechanical impacts and cooling means for the cooling of the particles of slag formed by the disintegration. The installation comprises at least one perforated endless band positioned in the path of fall of the particles of slag projected by the disintegration means and cooled by the said cooling means. The installation also comprises an insulating enclosure positioned immediately above the perforated band and which contains the disintegration and cooling means, and means for trapping the ascending gaseous and/or solid by-products.

Abstract: The refractory lining of a shaft furnace is cooled by means of a cooling box, which extends into the lining through the furnace shell, having a pair of separately fed coolant flow paths formed therein. A first coolant circuit extends along the side walls of the cooling box and through the nose portion thereof while the second coolant circuit has a first portion which extends along the side walls adjacent the first circuit and a second portion which is disposed toward the center of the cooling box with respect to both the first cooling circuit and the first portion of the second cooling circuit.

Abstract: The pressurization and depressurization of a container, and specifically a feed hopper for materials to be delivered to the interior of a blast furnace, is accomplished with the aid of pressure equalization devices which each include a valve and a wear and sound reducing mechanism immediately downstream of the valve. The wear and sound reduction mechanism subdivides the stream of gas, which may contain entrained particulate matter, into a plurality of jets which are caused to follow a zig-zag trajectory.