Abstract: A method for after combustion of reaction gases resulting from the decarburization of liquid steel in reaction vessels under vacuum includes the steps of arranging a blow-in opening within a refractory lining of a reaction vessel and introducing an air stream, comprised of hot air of a temperature between 800.degree. C. to 1400.degree. C., counter to the flow direction of the reaction gases via the blow-in opening into the reaction vessel. A device for performing after combustion of reaction gases resulting from the decarburization of liquid steel in a reaction vessel under vacuum includes a generator, connected to the reaction vessel, for producing hot air. The generator contains a bulk of balls for heating the air guided through the bulk of balls and subsequently introduced into the reaction vessel. The bulk of balls consists of a refractory material and is heated by heat energy.

Abstract: A slide closure for a melting pot has a bottom cartridge with a stationary bottom plate. The bottom cartridge is fixedly connected to the melting pot. Two guide blocks are displaceably connected to the underside of the bottom cartridge. A slide cartridge is displaceably guided in the guide blocks. The guide blocks are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the pour opening of the melting pot. The slide cartridge has two rod-shaped guide sections connected within the guide blocks and extending parallel to the axis of displacement of the slide cartridge on its lateral sides. The slide cartridge has a slide plate that is linearly displaceable relative to the bottom plate. The guide blocks have clamping members, symmetrically arranged relative to the pour opening of the melting pot, for pressing the slide plate against the bottom plate.

Abstract: A vessel for processing steel under vacuum is provided and includes a vessel body, a cover placed thereupon in a vacuum-tight manner, and a connection for a vacuum pump. To heat the vessel a heating mechanism is provided that comprises a graphite rod that extends diametrically through the vessel, with contact studs being provided at the ends of the graphite rod for the transfer of electrical power. To increase the service life of the graphite rods, the rod with its contact studs is fixably held in position on the vessel wall at one end, and at the opposite end the rod is displaceably disposed relative to the vessel wall. To compensate the force originating from the vacuum that prevails in the vessel, a compensating mechanism that is acted upon by the vacuum of the vessel is provided for supporting the moveable mounting of the graphite rod.

Abstract: With an airtight reaction vessel having a lining of refractory material for immersion in steel-processing ladles, especially for processing steel pursuant to the vacuum circulation process, including an upper vessel part, a lower vessel part, and immersion pipes, whereby these parts are interconnected via flange rings and clamping mechanisms that hold them together, the seal between the vessel parts is to be improved in every operating state. For this purpose, it is proposed that the respectively upper main flange (17) of the associated respectively lower vessel part (11, 13, 15) have a separate upper flange ring (19) that is placed upon the resilient end of an interposed compensator ring (20) and that in the unstressed state of the flange (17, 19) extends slightly beyond the upper rim of the vessel part (11, 13, 15).

Abstract: an electric arc heating system for use with a vacuum metallurgic unit, which includes at least one graphite electrode that is composed of two or more interconnected graphite electrode sections and is adapted selectively to be lifted and lowered by lifting and lowering means from which it can easily be disconnected, while the electrode or electrodes is or are surrounded by a tubular mantle and the latter is surrounded by jacket means in a vacuum-tight manner which jacket means has that end thereof which is remote from the metallurgic unit provided with closure means for tightly closing an opening at the last mentioned end.