Abstract: A method of refining a ferroalloy includes the step of blowing molecular oxygen or a gas mixture including molecular oxygen into a melt of the ferroalloy. A metallurgically acceptable particulate material is introduced from above into the melt. The particulate material is carried into the melt in a first supersonic gas jet which travels to the melt shrouded by a second gas jet.

Abstract: A metallurgical lance for injecting particulate material into a liquid comprises a main gas tube 6 defining an axial main gas passage terminating at its outlet and in a first Laval nozzle 38 downstream of the throat of said nozzle. A shrouding gas passage in the form of a combustion chamber 36 surrounds the main gas tube and terminates in a second Laval nozzle 42. A particulate material transport tube 4 defines a passage for the particulate material to be introduced into the first Laval nozzle 38 downstream of its throat. The first Laval nozzle 38 is provided with a passage 40 for the flow of coolant.

Abstract: A method of introducing a solid particulate reagent into a bath of metallurgical liquid comprises a step of introducing a solid particulate reagent into a main supersonic gas jet. The main supersonic gas jet is directed at the surface of the bath and is surrounded with a jet of shrouding gas, preferably of a burning hydrocarbon fluid fuel, provided at a supersonic velocity. The main supersonic gas jet is formed at a velocity which is in the range of minus 10% to plus 10% of the velocity at which the jet of shrouding gas is formed, preferably in the range of Mach 2 to 3.