Abstract: A charging device for bulk material comprises a rotor having a substantially vertical axis of rotation a first drive for rotating the rotor and a chute supported by the rotor so as to be rotated with the latter. The chute can be rotated about its longitudinal axis. Its concavely curved sliding surface has a width that is diminishing from the top end to the bottom end of the chute, so that it is possible to vary the location where bulk material sliding down the chute channel leaves the latter by rotating the chute about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cooling plate includes providing a metallic plate body with a front face, a rear face and at least one channel extending through the metallic plate body beneath the front face; inserting with radial clearance a metallic tube into the channel so that both tube ends protrude out of the channel; and achieving a press fit of the tube within the channel by shrinking the section of the channel by the action of a metal-forming process applied to the plate body.

Abstract: A device for distributing loose materials, arranged in a curtain of loose material tipped out from a means of conveying loose material includes a box with a top opening, at least one wall which extends transverse to the curtain of material inside the box to subdivide the box into at least two compartments, and at least two tipping-out means, one of the tipping-out means being associated with each of the compartments of the box, the tipping-out means being directed in such a way as to deflect the material received in the respective compartments into a distinct region of the hopper. The method for loading a hopper includes tipping loose material out in the form of a curtain of material over the hopper and splitting the curtain into at least two partial streams so as to deflect each of the partial streams towards a distinct region of the hopper.

Abstract: A device for distributing bulk materials includes a suspension rotor is mounted in a support frame which is capable of rotating about a substantially vertical axis of rotation. A chute is suspended to the suspension rotor and is tiltable about a substantially horizontal tilt axis. A first motor is capable of rotating the suspension rotor about its axis of rotation in a first direction, and a tilt controlling motor mounted in the support frame is capable of rotating about a substantially vertical axis of rotation. A tilting mechanism is also connected between the chute and the tilt controlling rotor, while a first braking device exerts a braking moment on the tilt controlling motor. A first control device controls the angle of inclination of the chute by controlled braking of the tilt controlling rotor.

Abstract: A drill crown (1) used for drilling purposes, especially for rotary percussion drilling of a mouth of a blast furnace. The drill crown (1) consists of a drilling head (4) provided with a plurality of hard material or hard metal inserts (6) and a base body (2) for connection to a drive element etc. in order to drive or impinge upon said drill crown. The hard material or hard metal inserts (6) are received in bores or openings (5) of the drill head (4). According to the invention, at least one hard material or hard metal insert (6) is provided with an at least partially curved or domed surface contour (11) on the end which is received in the drill head (4). Said contour cooperates with a complementary domed or curved surface of the drill head (4) and/or base body (2), whereby the percussive energy required for appropriate drilling power is transmitted in a reliable manner, even when the hard material or hard metal insert (6) is slackened.

Abstract: A charging device for bulk material comprises a rotor having a substantially vertical axis of rotation a first drive for rotating the rotor and a chute supported by the rotor so as to be rotated with the latter. The chute can be rotated about its longitudinal axis. Its concavely curved sliding surface has a width that is diminishing from the top end to the bottom end of the chute, so that it is possible to vary the location where bulk material sliding down the chute channel leaves the latter by rotating the chute about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A drill crown (1) used for drilling purposes, especially for rotary percussion drilling of a mouth of a blast furnace. The drill crown (1) consists of a drilling head (4) provided with a plurality of hard material or hard metal inserts (6) and a base body (2) for connection to a drive element etc. in order to drive or impinge upon said drill crown. The hard material or hard metal inserts (6) are received in bores or openings (5) of the drill head (4). According to the invention, at least one hard material or hard metal insert (6) is provided with an at least partially curved or domed surface contour (11) on the end which is received in the drill head (4).

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for distributing bilk material comprising: a tilting chute (32) suspended to a suspension rotor (18) driven in rotation by a motor (60); a tilt controlling rotor (28) and a tilting mechanism (36, 36′), which transforms a differential rotation of the two rotors (18, 28) into a tilting motion of the chute (32). A first braking mechanism (80) is associated with the tilt controlling rotor (28) and a first control device (102, 106) controls the variation of the angle of inclination of the chute 832) by controlled braking of the tilt controlling rotor (28).

Abstract: The preliminary cleaning stage for a dust extraction installation for blast furnace gas is comprised of a large-sized cyclone which comprises a vertical pressurized tank. A gas furnace gas line arriving from the blast furnace is connected to an axial delivery device situated at the upper end of the pressurized tank. The delivery device is configured such that it introduces the blast furnace gas into the pressurized tank in an axial direction. A swirl device with guide vanes is positioned below the axial delivery device and causes the blast furnace gas which is axially introduced into the pressurized tank to swirl about the axis of the pressurized tank.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for cooling a shaft furnace loading device, said loading device being equipped with a ring-shaped rotary joint (40), provided with a fixed ring-shaped part (56) and a rotating ring-shaped part (46), for supplying cooling liquid to a rotating cooling circuit (36, 38). The invention is characterized in that it consists in feeding the joint (40) fixed part (56) with cooling liquid such that a leakage flow passes in a separating ring-shaped slot (58, 60) between the fixed part (56) and the rotating part (46) of the joint (40), to form therein a liquid joint. Said leakage flow is then collected and drained without passing through the cooling circuit (36, 38).

Abstract: A device for direct observation of the charging process inside a shaft furnace during its operation, in particular a blast furnace, with a measuring lance, which is arranged above the charge column in the shaft furnace in such a way that it is exposed to the charge material falling from a charging device during the charging process, and sensor means which detect the position of the falling charge material in relation to the measuring lance.

Abstract: A charging device for a shaft furnace with a lower bell comprises lower means of blockage allowing an upper hopper to be isolated in a sealed manner from a lower hopper and allowing the retention of the charging material. In their open position, these lower means of blockage are positioned so that they unblock a free central passage for the flux of material. This flux is established in the form of a compact and focused flux. Means for moving the lower bell are positioned so as not to disturb the focusing of this flux. Positioned above the lower bell is a deflecting surface, which causes the focused flux to diverge with axial symmetry. Inter alia, a better symmetry in the filling of the lower hopper is obtained.

Abstract: A shaft furnace charging device with rotating chute comprises a supporting structure (22) overhanging the shaft furnace (10), a mounting flange (18) fixed rigidly to the shaft furnace (10), a batch hopper (26, 28) supported by the supporting structure (22), a drive housing (30) for the chute (32) which is connected in a sealed manner at one end to the batch hopper (26, 28) and at the other end to the mounting flange (18), and at least one large diameter roller ring (40) mounted in the housing (30) in order to support the chute (32) with the ring (40). In order to increase the working life of the roller ring (40), at least one deformable linking element (70) is incorporated in the chain of rigid elements connecting the mounting flange (18) to the roller ring (40), in such a way that a rigid transmission of deformations of the mounting flange (18) to the roller ring (40) is largely prevented.

Abstract: A distributing chute for installation in a furnace, particularly suitable for use in a bell-less charging system of a blast furnace, comprises heat-resistant ceramic tiles on its underside. These ceramic tiles are inserted between, and secured by, hollow sections which are attached to the chute body and through which a cooling medium is passed. The ceramic tiles preferably include lateral grooves; the hollow sections being fitted in the lateral grooves for securing the ceramic tiles.

Abstract: A distributor chute for bulk material, in particular for use in a bell-less blast furnace top charging device, has several inclined transverse plates in the region of its impact zone. The transverse plates create retaining pockets between their inner faces and the surface of the distributor chute. Two adjacent transverse plates limit between the outer face of the first transverse plate and the inner face or the second transverse plate a retaining chamber. If the inclination of the chute is reduced, the bulk material moves from the retaining pocket to the retaining chamber.

Abstract: A machine is provided for piercing a taphole for a shaft furnace for applying the piercing rod method. The machine comprises a mounting (20), a drive means (42, 44), a clamp (34) for coupling the drive means to the rod (26) during its extraction. It is characterised by a push-member (34) transmitting the said thrust force to the rear end of the rod (26) during the insertion of the rod (26) into the taphole clay and by intermediate guides (55i) surrounding the rod (26) at several places during the insertion of the rod (26) into the taphole clay. The said guides (55i) being successively placed in a position in which they do not hinder the advance of the said push-member (34, 78) on the mounting (20).

Abstract: A machine for piercing a taphole for a shaft furnace in the so called "lost rod" method is presented. After the taphole is blocked with a taphole clay but before the taphole clay has fully hardened, a piercing rod is driven into the taphole clay by this machine so that at the desired time the taphole can be opened by extracting the piercing rod by this same machine. This piercing machine comprises a mounting, a first carriage which can be displaced along the mounting, a drive mechanism for this first carriage, guide mechanism to guide the piercing rod and finger mechanism capable of exerting axial thrust upon the piercing rod. The guide means define a guide channel for the piercing rod, which guide mechanism also has a longitudinal opening that gives access to the inside of the guide mechanism, the guide channel being perpendicular to the axis of the longitudinal opening.

Abstract: A machine and method is provided for piercing a taphole for a shaft furnace. The machine comprises a mounting, with a support installed on the mounting so as to support a rod at the front of the mounting, a rear support which can move on the mounting and is provided with means for being coupled to the rear end of the rod and a clamp mounted in a sliding manner on the mounting and designed to grip the rod at any place between the front support and the rear support. A powerful rotary motor installed at the rear of the mounting drives an endless chain installed axially in the mounting. A clamp attached to the endless chain moves during the insertion of the rod into the taphole clay by reversal of the direction of rotation of the motor in a to-and-fro motion between a position (B) at the front of the mounting and a position (A) which is located at a distance L from the position (B).

Abstract: A machine is provided for piercing a taphole for a shaft furnace for applying the piercing rod method. The machine comprises a mounting, with a support for supporting the rod at the front of the mounting, a sliding support for supporting the rod at the rear of the mounting and a clamp, mounted in a sliding manner on the mounting and designed for gripping the rod at any place between the front support and the rear support. A travel multiplier is connected between a jack and the clamp so that the clamp may be moved. Means for controlling the jack make it possible to move the clamp in a to-and-fro motion between a position (B) at the front of the mounting and a position (A) which is located at a distance L from the position (B).

Abstract: A device is proposed for cooling the distribution chute of an installation for charging a shaft furnace. This installation comprises a feed channel, a rotary collar and a rotary cage, a fixed outer housing, a distribution chute mounted in a pivoting manner in the rotary cage, a driving means so as to cause the collar and the cage to turn, as one about the vertical axis of the channel and two drive casings acting on suspension shafts of the chute so as to pivot about a horizontal axis. An annular tank for feeding with cooling fluid is secured to the upper edge of the rotary collar. The distribution chute comprises a circuit for cooling the lower surface of its body and is connected directly, through channels passing axially through the suspension shafts of the chute and rotary connectors to the annular tank.