Abstract: In a method of producing liquid pig iron or liquid steel pre-products from iron-oxide-containing material, fine-particulate iron-oxide-containing material is reduced to fine-particulate sponge iron by the fluidized bed method by passing a reducing gas through at least one fluidized bed reduction stage (7, 8), and lumpy ore is reduced to lumpy sponge iron in a fixed bed reduction stage (28). The sponge iron is charged into a melting-gasifying zone (11) and is molten there under a supply of carbon carriers and oxygen-containing gas, in which a CO— and H2-containing reducing gas is generated for reducing the iron-oxide-containing material. To avoid treating the fine-particulate sponge iron separately from the lumpy sponge iron, the fine-particulate sponge is charged directly to the melting-gasifying zone (11) in an untreated condition and in fine-particulate form, and there, is melted together with the lumpy sponge iron.

Abstract: In a plant for the production of pig iron and/or sponge iron, comprising at least one fluidized bed reactor adapted to receive fine ore, a reducing-gas feed duct leading to said fluidized bed reactor, an off gas discharge duct departing from the fluidized bed reactor and a discharge means, preferably a briquetting means, provided for the reduction product formed in the fluidized bed reactor, the off gas discharge duct of the fluidized bed reactor runs into a purification means, such as a scrubber, subsequently into a heating means and finally into the reducing gas feed duct of the fluidized bed reactor. To produce a product having a high quality standard at a minimum energy input, the heating means is constructed such that it comprises two stages including a heat exchanger as the heating means for the reducing gas and, connected serially therewith, a partial combustion means for the reducing gas with an oxygen feeding means.

Abstract: In a process for the production of molten pig iron or molten steel pre-products and sponge iron from charging materials consisting of iron ore and, if desired, fluxes, direct reduction of the charging materials to sponge iron is carried out in a fixed-bed reduction zone, the sponge iron is melted in a meltdown gasifying zone under supply of carbon carriers as well as an oxygen-containing gas and a CO- and H.sub.2 -containing reducing gas is produced which is fed to the reduction zone, is reacted there and is drawn off as an export gas, and the drawn-off export gas is subjected to CO.sub.2 elimination and for the production of sponge iron is along with part of the reducing gas formed in the meltdown gasifying zone as an at least largely CO.sub.2 free reducing gas conveyed to a further reduction zone for the direct reduction of iron ore.

Abstract: A plant for the production of pig iron and/or sponge iron includes a direct-reduction shaft furnace for lumpy iron ore, a melter gasifier, a feed duct for a reducing gas connecting the melter gasifier with the shaft furnace, a conveying duct for the reduction product formed in the shaft furnace connecting the shaft furnace with the melter gasifier, a top-gas discharge duct departing from the shaft furnace, feed ducts for oxygen-containing gases and carbon carriers running into the melter gasifier and a tap for pig iron and slag provided at the melting vessel.

Abstract: In operating a mill including a blast furnace and a steel converter, it is difficult to mutually adapt the operations of the blast furnace and of the converter in a flexible way. When using scrap as a coolant in the refining process, undesired accompanying elements are introduced into the metal melt.The invention consists in that, instead of a blast furnace, a direct reduction plant in combination with a meltdown gasifier are provided as the pig iron source. This aggregate is operated in combination with a single steel converter. The direct reduction plant, on its discharge side, is connected both with the meltdown gasifier and with the steel converter via sponge iron transporting devices. The meltdown gasifier communicates with the steel converter via a transport line for molten pig iron. As the solid charge in the refining process sponge iron is exclusively used.

Abstract: In the operation of mills for the production of steel from molten pig iron and solid ferrous carriers, it is sought for economic reasons to increase the portion of solid ferrous carriers. To supply thermal carriers, such as fossile fuels, as is known, involves the disadvantages of extended charging times and of undesired accompanying elements introduced into the process.To avoid these disadvantages, the invention provides for a combination of at least one steel converter with a direct reduction plant, a meltdown gasifier and a cupola. Therein, sponge iron discharged from the direct reduction plant is melted to pig iron in the meltdown gasifier, on the one hand, and is used as solid charge for the converter. Scrap, together with coke, is melted in the cupola to blown metal, the latter, together with the pig iron produced in the meltdown gasifier, being supplied to the converter as liquid charge.

Abstract: A plate mould for continuous casting includes a carrying frame and broad-side walls supported therein and delimiting the mould cavity. Between the broad-side walls, end walls are arranged. The broad-side walls are adjustable normal to the axis of the mould cavity by an adjustment device and clampable relative to each other by a clamping device. In order to enable a perfect movement of the broad-side walls in the direction normal to the axis of the mould cavity, which is simple to maintain and adjust by the maintenance personnel, and to provide an easy installation and removal of the mould insert, each broad-side wall is clampable in the vertical direction by at least one clamp strap, against a holding plate of the carrying frame supporting the broad-side wall. The clamp strap is supported on the broad-side wall and on the carrying frame and clampable against the carrying frame in the manner of a bending carrier by a tensioning device that is detachable from the upper side of the mould.

Abstract: In a supporting and guiding arc for cast strands including rollerways supporting the strand on opposite sides, the rollers are mounted on one-piece arcuate longitudinal carriers extending over the total length of the guiding arc. Transverse carriers are arranged in pairs opposite each other along the arcuate longitudinal carriers at a distance from one another, engaging the arcuate longitudinal carriers from behind and being connected by drawing anchors. In order to combine the advantages of guiding arcs assembled of segments arranged in series with the advantages of guiding arcs equipped with continuous arcuate longitudinal carriers, each rollerway has only two arcuate longitudinal carriers. A plurality of supporting segments are inserted between the arcuate longitudinal carriers and are detachably fastened to the same. A plurality of rollers allocated to a rollerway are journaled on each supporting segment.

Abstract: During the continuous casting process, metal melt flows from a reservoir covered with a slag layer into a tundish covered with a slag layer, and from there into a mould. In order to prevent a damage to the strand or the continuous casting plant on account of the slag entry into the mould and the jeopardization of the operating personnel, the height of the metal-melt-bath level on the one hand and the height of the slag-bath level on the other hand are continuously determined. From the relation of these values the slag amount present in the tundish is determined.

Abstract: A supporting and guiding stand for a bow-type continuous casting plant comprises exchangeable supporting segments supported on a carrying frame, in which segments the rollers of the oppositely arranged inner and outer guideways are mounted at a distance from one another. In the center of the circular arc along which the supporting segments are arranged, a pivoting lever including a device for seizing and extracting individual supporting segments is mounted. The length of the lever is shorter than the radial distance from the center to the supporting segments. For removing a desired supporting segment, telescopically extendable and retractable guide rails are provided on the pivoting lever, which, after having been moved out into the strand guideway, seize a supporting segment in a fork-like manner. Upon seizure counter guides arranged on the supporting segment come into engagement with the guide rails, the supporting segment thus being removable from the installed position along the guide rails.

Abstract: A method of and arrangement for introducing a starter bar into the strand guide of a continuous casting plant has the starter bar introduced from above, foot part first, into the strand guide and lowered. An upper part of the strand guide is removable transverse to the strand axis so that an opening is formed in the strand guide. The starter bar is lowered after its foot part has been introduced, until the starter bar head has passed the opening, whereupon the removed strand part is returned into its initial position and the starter bar is moved upward until its head closes the mould.