Abstract: A method for implanting a tubular probe having a nose in a smelting furnace, the nose of the probe being temporarily closed off by a plug inserted therein, the plug including a substantially cylindrical body force fitted in the probe nose and an internal conduit extending through the plug. The method comprises implanting the probe into the smelting furnace; injecting a gas into the probe; controlling the flow rate of the injected gas until the probe nose has reached a required position; and regulating gas supplying pressure to keep the flow rate between a minimum value, under which furnace gas may penetrate into the probe, and a maximum value, above which the plug may be prematurely ejected. The plug may further include a head axially connected to the cylindrical body designed to cover the probe nose externally, and during the implanting step, the plug is placed on the probe so that an orifice of the internal conduit on an external face of the head is directed downwardly.

Abstract: The bench for supporting and introducing an elongated rectilinear probe in a blast furnace comprises probe supporting and guiding means and probe driving means, constituted by a carriage guided according to a translatory movement on rails. The probe is held in position on the carriage at the level of the rails so that the thrusting force exerted by the carriage on the probe in order to cause its penetration into the furnace, is applied in the axis of said probe. The means for guiding the probe comprise articulated arms which are retractable in order to clear the path followed by the carriage when the latter is moved toward the furnace.

Abstract: A plug for a probe nose is produced in one piece having two contiguous parts. The first part is a substantially cylindrical body designed to be inserted in the probe nose such that it ensures tightness between the probe and the plug body. The second part is a substantially conical or semi-spherical head, co-axial to the body and provided at the level of its junction with the latter with a shoulder by which it can abut on the end of the probe. The plug comprises an inner through conduit which connects the surface of the head with the free front face of the body. This conduit authorizes the discharge of a protective gas introduced into the probe, and it is possible by controlling the flow of this gas to assess the difference of pressure exerted on each side of the plug and to adjust accordingly the pressure of the protective gas in order to prevent both the ejection of the plug and the penetration into the probe of hot gases from the furnace.

Abstract: This method for axially aligning an assembly for implanting a parietal probe through an orifice provided in the wall of a reducing-smelting furnace is applicable to an assembly comprising a tightness device equipped with a sealing off member and a tightness member, a chassis fixed to the furnace and supporting the tightness device and a frame equipped with a probe-holding carriage. The assembly further comprises means for adjusting the position of the frame and means for temporarily fixing coaxially to the tightness device first a telescope directed towards the orifice in order to align the axis of the tightness device with the axis of said orifice, and then a light beam source directed onto a target carried by the carriage in order to align the axis of the probe with the axis of the tightness device.

Abstract: Apparatus for rapidly cooling elongated products during the movement thereof in longitudinal direction mainly comprises an elongated tube, a cooling water feed head communicating with one open end of the tube and a separator communicating with the other open end of the tube. The cooling water feed head and the separator are respectively provided in walls facing the opposite ends of the tube with openings aligned with the tube axis through which the product passes surrounded by a cooling water jet during its passage through the tube into the separator. A first device is located in the separator for reducing the diameter of the cooling water jet, and a second device, preferably in form of a secondary water jet, extends transverse to the axis of the tube spaced from the first device, is provided in the separator for shearing the water jet of reduced diameter surrounding the product.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling an elongated product during its movement through the apparatus comprises an elongated tube having a cooling fluid inlet at one end and a cooling fluid outlet at the other end so that the cooling fluid will flow from the one to the other end through the tube. The product to be cooled passes through the tube either in the same or in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of cooling fluid through the tube. At least one centralizing element is provided in the tube spaced from the opposite ends of the latter and having a central passage coaxial with the tube and a diameter smaller than that of the tube for the passage of the product therethrough, and a plurality of channels uniformly distributed about the central passage to facilitate flow of cooling water from one to the other end of the tube.