Abstract: A metallurgical vessel having a bottom, a side wall structure defining an opening remote from the bottom, a refractory lining for the interior of the vessel and a unitary metal flange fixed to the vessel and extending around the opening and over the lining, and having an inner periphery directed towards the opening and an outer periphery wherein in order to reduce thermal stresses in the flange there are a plurality of holes in the flange metal spaced from the inner periphery and extending over the refractory lining and distributed circumferentially around the flange whereby heat flow through the flange from its inner periphery to its outer periphery is restricted.

Abstract: Slag shield for a steel converter, comprising a ring of conically set segments around the upper end of the converter. The conically set segments are each provided with two hook-carrying brackets. The hooks near the lower end of the slag shield catching around horizontal bars which are connected around and to the converter. Each segment is held with its upper edge close against the converter vessel by fastening means, which are locally provided on the vessel wall. The fastening means allow for small displacements of the segment in its own plane.