Abstract: The invention provides a method of melting and superheating ferrous material comprising the steps of charging a vessel with ferrous material and injecting into the vessel coal and oxygen in such ratios as to combust the coal to provide adequate heat for the melting of the ferrous material and to provide residual carbon in the melt to superheat the melt upon oxidation of the carbon.

Abstract: The invention provides an arrangement for producing solid metal with fine solidification structure from liquid metal including the steps of transferring liquid metal with a minimum flow through a hollow carrier; the minimum bulk velocity of the metal through the carrier being 50 cm/sec.

Abstract: The invention provides an arrangement for steelmaking comprising a steel melt and initial reaction chamber arranged to receive source material in the form of scrap and/or pre-reduced iron, an overhead lance for the introduction of an oxidizing gas to the initial reaction chamber, means for introducing, below the level of the surface of the melt in the reaction chamber, a melt stirring fluid medium, means for introducing carbonaceous material into the melt; a secondary refining chamber connecting with the initial reaction chamber at the surface level of the melt and through which the metal is arranged to pass from the initial reaction chamber; and a melt holding vessel into which the metal is passed from the secondary refining chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the production of steel comprising the steps of providing a ferrous melt in a container, introducing iron ore into the container and separately introducing carbonaceous material into the melt, blowing an oxidizing gas at the upper surface of the melt by means of an overhead lance, and injecting a stirring gas directly into the melt below the upper surface thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for refining steel comprising the steps of blowing a refining gas at the upper surface of the melt contained in a refining vessel by means of an overhead lance; injecting a stirring or processing gas directly into the vessel below the surface level of the melt therein; and introducing carbon from above onto or through the upper surface of the melt in the refining vessel.

Abstract: A ferrous feedstock for subsequent use in a melting or smelting furnace is produced by casting molten ferrous material continuously onto the surface of an elongate channel-shaped substrate moving continuously past a casting station. The cast material solidifies to form a strip which is separated continuously from the substrate and subsequently fragmented to produce ferrous segments of a size suitable for feeding to a melting or smelting furnace.

Abstract: Various forms of method and apparatus are described for the manufacture of steel wherein solid carbonaceous materials are injected below the surface of a melt during the introduction of oxygen to raise the energy level within the melt. Solid iron-bearing materials may also be introduced to the melt and a continuous tapping process is described wherein the iron-bearing and carbonaceous materials are delivered continuously to the melt.