Abstract: A metallurgical molten-metal runner has a support trough, a trough-shaped temperature-equalizing layer received in and lining the trough, a system for cooling the layer isothermally to about 100.degree. C., a permanent refractory outer lining received in and lining the layer, and a renewable refractory inner lining received in and lining the outer lining and in direct contact with molten metal in the runner. The layer is of greater thermal conductivity than the linings. The cooling system includes conduits in heat-conducting engagement with the layer and an arrangement for circulating a coolant through the conduits. Water or, for safety's sake, oil can be used as the coolant, normally in liquid state to keep the layer below 100.degree. C. The layer according to this invention has a coefficient of thermal conductivity greater than 10 Kcal/M.multidot..degree.C..multidot.h, preferably above 25 Kcal/m.multidot..degree.C..multidot.h and can be composed principally of silicon carbide, semigraphite, or graphite.

Abstract: A process for controlling the speed of strand sintering machines through utilization of the temperature of collected waste gas as measured in the collector pipe as the controlled variable provides improved response by utilizing as an additional controlled variable the temperature of the waste gases at the windboxes. Either the average temperature of those waste gases that leave the windboxes at a temperature above approximately 100.degree. C. or the location of the burn-through point as determined from the temperature of the waste gases at the windboxes can be used as the additional variable. In the latter case, the temperature of the collected waste gases can be used to automatically control the desired variable in a secondary cascade-type control loop in which the location of the burn-through point is the actual value and the travel speed is the regulated quantity.