Abstract: The invention relates to a device for closing a tap hole of a metallurgical vessel, in particular a converter, for the purpose of separating a molten metal and slag, having a slag stopper 1, which is situated outside the vessel, which provides an actuable closure element 8 that can be inserted into a tap hole, leaving an annular gap relative to the wall of the tap hole, and which provides a number of lines, in particular a pressurized-gas line 10 intended for the supply of the closure element, the slag stopper 1 comprising a connecting frame 2, which carries and fixes the parts of the slag stopper, this connecting frame, for its part, being secured releasably at a connecting point 11 on the metallurgical vessel 12. This allows a significant reduction in the time required for servicing or changing the slag stopper.

Abstract: In a method for closing and opening a tapping hole of a metallurgical vessel, in which method a closure body (4), which leaves clear an annular gap between the closure body (4) and the wall of the tapping hole, can be moved out of a waiting position (I) into a closure position (II), in which it covers the tapping hole, and back, and in which method, at least in the closure position (II), a pressurized gas is introduced into the tapping hole counter to the outflow direction of a molten material contained in the metallurgical vessel, in order to avoid skull formation, the closure body (4) is moved out of the waiting position (I) into the closure position (II) and back with directions of movement which lie in different areas.