Abstract: A device for blowing gas into a metallurgical vessel contains at least one gas flow channel fluidly connecting a gas inlet located at one end to a gas outlet located at the opposite end. The channel is in the shape of a slit. The gas channel contains a series of continuous concave bridges connecting the opposing surfaces defining the channel, with their concave side oriented towards the gas outlet. The concave bridges are disposed in a staggered arrangement, such that any shortest line running from the gas outlet to the gas inlet of the channel necessarily intercepts the concave side of at least one bridge. The device is resistant to clogging by infiltrated molten metal or slag.

Abstract: A device for blowing gas into a metallurgical vessel contains at least one gas flow channel fluidly connecting a gas inlet located at one end to a gas outlet located at the opposite end. The channel is in the shape of a slit. The gas channel contains a series of continuous concave bridges connecting the opposing surfaces defining the channel, with their concave side oriented towards the gas outlet. The concave bridges are disposed in a staggered arrangement, such that any shortest line running from the gas outlet to the gas inlet of the channel necessarily intercepts the concave side of at least one bridge. The device is resistant to clogging by infiltrated molten metal or slag.

Abstract: A refractory plate for a sliding gate valve at the outlet of a vessel containing molten metal has a polygonal external shape and has a longitudinal axis, on both sides of which at least two side surfaces, disposed at an obtuse angel (.gamma.) to one another, extend and serve as clamping surfaces of the plate in a metallic frame (11) or the like. The shorter side surfaces are arranged to extend at an angle (.alpha.) of between 20.degree. and 50.degree. to the longitudinal axis while the longer side surfaces are arranged to extend at an angle (.beta.) of between 10.degree. and 30.degree. to the longitudinal axis. The refractory plate can thus be optimally clamped and an increased service life is thus consequently achieved.

Abstract: A process for heating a ceramic shaped part by providing a ceramic shaped part which at ambient temperature has a homogeneously distributed carbon skeleton, and heating the shaped part inductively.

Abstract: A tapping pipe is provided for a melt vessel having a predetermined melt maximum bath level X.sub.m. The tapping pipe defines a flow passage therethrough which has a discharge zone having flow cross-sections approximately the same as the cross-sections of the flow profile of a free flowing stream of the melt from a melt bath level X.sub.0 between 30% and 70% of the maximum melt bath level X.sub.m. The discharge zone can be provided by a brick defining the discharge zone, together with additional bricks defining a feed zone and a transition zone between the feed zone and the discharge zone. In making a number of replacements of the tapping pipe in a converter, the length of the brick defining the transition zone can be gradually reduced so as to compensate for the wear of the converter lining.

Abstract: A gas injection stone is manufactured by embedding in a refractory compound a plurality of adjacent and abutting nets. Thereby, when the refractory compound is solidified and when the nets subsequently are removed by burning or melting, the result will be the formation within the stone of plural interconnected layers of interlinked gas channels.

Abstract: An annular space is formed between the opening of a refractory lining in a metallurgical vessel and a shaped element to be joined to the refractory lining in the opening. A joint packing is provided to be packed in the annular space. The joint packing is an annular, deformable, prefabricated packing adapted to the volume or the shape of the annular space. The joint packing is fixable in position in either the opening of the refractory lining or on the shaped piece when the joint arrangement is assembled. Preferably, the joint packing comprises a packing compound provided in a sleeve.

Abstract: A refractory gas permeable injection device for introducing gas into a metallurgical vessel containing molten metal has a surface to be exposed to and progressively worn away by the molten metal during operation of the vessel. The device includes an outer body and an inner body within the outer body, at least the inner body being formed of a fireproof refractory material. A gas permeable space extends through the device in the direction of wear thereof, and the space has a plurality of different geometric shapes spaced in such direction. Upon the metallurgical vessel being emptied, and with the device still relatively hot, gas is caused to flow through the space such that the gas will create on the surface an optically recognizable image in a particular geometric shape as a function of the relative degree of wear of the device.

Abstract: A ceramic part to be used in a high temperature environment and that is preheated prior to use is manufactured by a process including shaping the part and subjecting the part to a heat treatment operation. The heat treatment operation is performed at least partially on location at a position of use of the part in the high temperature environment by a heating device that also is operated to perform the preheating of the part.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for use in replacing a worn pouring pipe by moving a pouring pipe from a waiting position to a pouring position beneath a discharge opening of a metallurgical vessel, and for use in adjusting flow of molten metal from the metallurgical vessel through the discharge opening. For this purpose, slide rails are provided beneath the metallurgical vessel for supporting head plates of pouring pipe in the waiting position, the pouring position and a discharge position. Also, a linear actuator is provided for pushing the pouring pipe from the waiting position to the pouring position, and can be detachably coupled to the head plate of the pouring pipe so that it can move the pouring pipe in opposing direction to adjust the flow of molten metal through the discharge opening between zero flow and full flow.

Abstract: A gas flushing apparatus for use with a metallurgical vessel is disclosed which is operable to allow for adjustment of the flow rate of gas through the gas flushing apparatus into molten metal contained in the metallurgical vessel. Such adjustability is provided according to the invention by providing at least a pair of discrete gas-permeable portions extending through the gas flushing apparatus from a bottom end thereof to a top end thereof. The discrete gas-permeable portions are individually connected to a gas supply by a gas distribution mechanism. The gas distribution mechanism is operable to distribute gas from a supply line to either or both of the at least two discrete gas-permeable portions of the gas flushing apparatus. The gas-permeable portions can be formed with cross sections which differ in shape from the lower portions of the gas-permeable portions to the upper portions thereof. Also, the two discrete gas-permeable portions can be provided with differing cross sectional areas.

Abstract: A composite assembly includes a ceramic inner member and an outer shell member fit around the inner member. The outer shell member is heated and expanded, the two members then are mutually located at predetermined positions relative to each other, and the members are cooled such that the outer shell member shrinks onto the inner member. Heating of the outer shell member is achieved by an inductive heater to result in the predetermined temperature, after which the inner member is moved to the predetermined position thereof relative to the outer shell member, while the outer shell member is maintained at such predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A gas flushing device includes a ceramic refractory perforated brick extended through a refractory lining of a wall of a metallurgical vessel. The perforated brick has an outer end having therein a recess opening outwardly of the vessel. A ceramic refractory gas flushing stone is fitted within such recess. The perforated brick has a portion that covers an inner end of the gas flushing stone and that projects therefrom inwardly beyond the vessel lining toward the vessel interior. The projecting portion of the perforated brick has a gas permeable region confronting the inner end of the gas flushing stone. As a result, gas passing through the gas flushing stone to the inner end thereof then passes through the gas permeable region of the projecting portion of the perforated brick into molten metal within the interior of the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to sealing structure for use in guiding molten metal from a metallurgical vessel and the seal thereof. The sealing structure includes first and second generally tubular refractory components one of which extends coaxially within the other with a clearance established therebetween. One of the components also has an annular groove therein confronting the other component at a sealing location. An open-ended elastically deformable spring ring is disposed in the annular groove and is self-biased into sealing engagement with a surface of the component that the annular groove confronts. The spring ring has a semi-annular main body and overlapped end portions extending from the main body.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a gas washing sink in a centered manner within an opening through a perforated brick in a wall of a metallurgical vessel and for removing the sink from the perforated brick includes a support assembly to be fixedly mounted on the exterior of the wall of the metallurgical vessel adjacent the opening in the perforated brick. A fastening assembly supports the sink and is mounted with respect to the support assembly for movement relative thereto between an operating position, whereat the sink is pressed into the opening throgh the perforated brick in a centered manner, and a maintenance position, whereat the sink is withdrawn from the opening through the perforated brick. Structure moves the fastening assembly relative to the support assembly to the operating position. A withdrawal apparatus moves the fastening assembly relative to the support assembly from the operating position to the maintenance position.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a gas washing sink in a centered manner within an opening through a perforated brick in a wall of a metallurgical vessel and for removing the sink from the perforated brick includes a support assembly to be fixedly mounted on the exterior of the wall of the metallurgical vessel adjacent the opening in the perforated brick. A fastening assembly supports the sink and is mounted with respect to the support assembly for movement relative thereto between an operating position, whereat the sink is pressed into the opening through the perforated brick in a centered manner, and a maintenance position, whereat the sink is withdrawn from the opening through the perforated brick. Structures moves the fastening assembly relative to the support assembly to the operating position. A withdrawal apparatus moves the fastening assembly relative to the support assembly from the operating position to the maintenance position.

Abstract: An apparatus repairs a perforated brick employed in a wall of a metallurgical vessel and having an opening into which is to be fit a gas washing sink for introducing gas into molten metal within the metallurgical vessel, during which gas introduction the inner end of the gas washing sink and the perforated brick around such area become worn. The apparatus includes a casing having an outer contour corresponding to the outer contour of the gas washing sink and to be inserted into the worn opening of the perforated brick upon removal therefrom of the worn gas washing sink. The casing thus forms a template defining the contour of the opening to be repaired in the worn portion of the perforated brick. A repair material feed pipe extends through and is guided by the casing for supplying therethrough repair material for repairing the worn portion of the perforated brick. A spray head is attached to the inner end of the feed pipe for directing the repair material toward the worn portion of the perforated brick.

Abstract: A tap spout, particularly for allowing molten metal to be discharged from oxygen-steel converters, includes a replaceable unit including a tubular wear lining and a jointing layer secured thereto. An inner lining of the tap spout may thus be repaired with relatively simple maintenance work by removing the inner lining and subsequently inserting the replaceable unit into an outer lining of the tap spout to form a new inner lining of the tap spout. The replaceable unit is adapted to facilitate either a press fit, and in particular, a fit ensured by axial compression of the jointing layer, or an expansion fit with the outer lining to secure the replaceable unit therein.

Abstract: A gas washing sink for use in introducing gas through a metallurgical vessel into molten metal therein includes a gas permeable refractory inner brick portion and a gas impermeable refractory outer brick portion surrounding the inner brick portion. The inner and outer brick portions define a first sink end to be exposed to the molten metal. The outer brick portion has an end face defining a second sink end to be directed away from the molten metal. A gas distribution chamber has a first end open to the inner brick portion and a second end opening onto the end face of the outer brick portion and defined thereat by an opening. A sealing surface extending concentrically of the opening has pressed thereagainst, at a pressure sufficient to achieve a seal therebetween, a closure member for closing the second end of the gas distribution chamber and having a gas inlet connection for introducing gas into the gas distribution chamber.

Abstract: A safety-type gas washing sink for use in introducing gas through a metallurgical vessel and molten metal therein includes a refractory wearable brick portion defining a first sink end to be exposed to the molten metal and becoming worn during use, such wearable brick portion having therethrough gas flow paths for the passage of gas into the molten metal, and a refractory safety brick portion defining a second sink end to be directed away from the molten metal and through which the gas can be delivered to the gas flow paths in the wearable sink portion. The safety brick portion has a higher thermal conductivity than the wearable brick portion, and the gas flow paths continue into the safety brick portion. Thus, any molten metal that breaks through the wearable brick portion to the safety brick portion will be caused to solidify at the safety brick portion due to rapid dissipation of heat thereby.