Abstract: A vacuum column for oil distillation incorporates a thickened plate that has a layer of erosion-resistant material that is thicker than the corrosion-resistant thickness of an adjacent column section. Use of thickened, explosive- or roll-bonded clad plates may provide better service than either conventional plug-welded liners or conventional shell plates with weld overlays.

Abstract: An improved basic oxygen furnace with an internally insulated metal shell having a bottom, wall and top conical portion, with the improvement comprising a plurality of cooling liquid metal walled heat-exchange passages, adjacent the top conical portion exterior surface, substantially aligned like element lines of a conical surface; a header to supply a cooling liquid so that it flows upwardly in all of the passages; and a header to withdraw cooling liquid, from the upper end of the passages, away from the surface which is being cooled.

Abstract: A tank with a circular horizontal cross-section, which expands and contracts in service, a tank support element on the tank and above the tank bottom extending horizontally around the tank and having a flat horizontal surface, a support base on which the tank support element flat horizontal surface rests in radial slidable contact, a horizontal collar member having a vertical or sloped circular face, a horizontal ring member having a vertical or sloped circular face, either the collar member or the ring member is joined to the tank and the other of the collar member or the ring member is joined to the support base, and the collar member vertical or sloped face is located around the ring vertical or sloped face, and restraining apparatus which prevents lateral movement of the tank when empty and at nonservice temperature.