Abstract: A multiple chamber material-stirring lance and method used to treat molten metal in a ladle, the lance having a stirring gas chamber, and a plurality of gas permeable ports arranged at a terminal end of the gas chamber, and at least one material chamber positioned parallel to the gas chamber and terminating in a plurality of material ports. In use, the multiple chamber material-stirring lance is lowered into the ladle of molten metal, and gas and material are both introduced into a respective chamber and emitted through their respective ports. Stirring gas emitted through the gas permeable ports under a gas pressure between 40 and 600 cfm causes the stirring gas to create a boiling effect in the molten metal, drawing material into the stirring gas bubbles and away from the lance body, improving material dispersion efficiency and thus impurity extraction from the molten metal.

Abstract: A coaxial material-stirring lance (40) and method used to treat molten metal in a ladle, the lance having a stirring gas chamber (48), and a plurality of gas permeable ports (50 52) arranged as upper and lower port arrays along a length of the gas chamber, and at least one material chamber (43) positioned inside and coaxial with the gas chamber and terminating in at least one material ports (60). In another embodiment, a second material chamber is included inside the gas chamber, parallel to and immediately adjacent the material chamber. In use, the coaxial material-stirring lance is lowered into the ladle of molten metal, and gas and material are both introduced into a respective chamber. Gas mixes material through the molten metal, causing impurities to be removed from the metal.

Abstract: A method (110) for removing a quantity of slag (24) from hot metal (6) in a ladle (2) during a process of metal purification such as steelmaking using an improved skimmer paddle (100) having a system of internal piping (60) that at one end is attached to a source of gas and at a second end terminates into one or more ports (64). The improved skimmer (100) is moved along a top surface (6a) of the hot metal, though the quantity of slag, and predetermined flows of gas are forced into the piping system and expelled through the port or ports (64) to move the quantity of slag out from the back of ladle to be skimmed into a slag pot (4) to remove undesired impurities from the hot metal.

Abstract: A skimmer (100) for removing a slag layer (24) from hot metal (6) in a ladle (2) during a process of metal purification such as steelmaking. The improved skimmer (100) is a steel framework covered in reinforced refractory, having a system of internal piping (60) that at one end is attached to a source of gas and at a second end terminating at one or more ports (64). The improved skimmer (100) is attached to a boom for a prior art skimming machine. In use, the improved skimmer (100) is moved along a top surface (6a) of the hot metal, though the slag layer, and predetermined flows of gas are forced into the piping system and expelled through the port or ports to move the slag layer out from the back of ladle so it can be skimmed into a slag pot (4).

Abstract: A multiple chamber material-stirring lance and method used to treat molten metal in a ladle, the lance having a stirring gas chamber, and a plurality of gas permeable ports arranged at a terminal end of the gas chamber, and at least one material chamber positioned parallel to the gas chamber and terminating in a plurality of material ports. In use, the multiple chamber material-stirring lance is lowered into the ladle of molten metal, and gas and material are both introduced into a respective chamber and emitted through their respective ports. Stirring gas emitted through the gas permeable ports under a gas pressure between 40 and 600 cfm causes the stirring gas to create a boiling effect in the molten metal, drawing material into the stirring gas bubbles and away from the lance body, improving material dispersion efficiency and thus impurity extraction from the molten metal.

Abstract: A coaxial material-stirring lance (40) and method used to treat molten metal in a ladle, the lance having a stirring gas chamber (48), and a plurality of gas permeable ports (50 52) arranged as upper and lower port arrays along a length of the gas chamber, and at least one material chamber (43) positioned inside and coaxial with the gas chamber and terminating in at least one material ports (60). In another embodiment, a second material chamber is included inside the gas chamber, parallel to and immediately adjacent the material chamber. In use, the coaxial material-stirring lance is lowered into the ladle of molten metal, and gas and material are both introduced into a respective chamber. Gas mixes material through the molten metal, causing impurities to be removed from the metal.

Abstract: An improved skimmer (100) for removing a slag layer (24) from hot metal (6) in a ladle (2) during a process of metal purification such as steelmaking. The improved skimmer (100) is a steel framework covered in reinforced refractory, having a system of internal piping (60) that at one end is attached to a source of gas and at a second end terminating at one or more ports (64). The improved skimmer (100) is attached to a boom for a prior art skimming machine. In use, the improved skimmer (100) is moved along a top surface (6a) of the hot metal, though the slag layer, and predetermined flows of gas are forced into the piping system and expelled through the port or ports to move the slag layer out from the back of ladle so it can be skimmed into a slag pot (4).

Abstract: An improved method (110) for removing a quantity of slag (24) from hot metal (6) in a ladle (2) during a process of metal purification such as steelmaking using an improved skimmer paddle (100) having a system of internal piping (60) that at one end is attached to a source of gas and at a second end terminates into one or more ports (64). The improved skimmer (100) is moved along a top surface (6a) of the hot metal, though the quantity of slag, and predetermined flows of gas are forced into the piping system and expelled through the port or ports (64) to move the quantity of slag out from the back of ladle to be skimmed into a slag pot (4) to remove undesired impurities from the hot metal.

Abstract: Rotary lance drives for rotating a lance for injecting gas and powdered reagents into molten metal include a reciprocating rotary lance drive and an associated method. A lance mount which facilitates loading of a lance into a lance drive is also disclosed. Various lance designs are described for improving dispersion of reagent and decreasing process time, including lances having non-circular refractory portions and lances having cross-port arrangements for more evenly distributed reagent discharge.

Abstract: Rotary lance drives for rotating a lance for injecting gas and powdered reagents into molten metal include a reciprocating rotary lance drive and an associated method. A lance mount which facilitates loading of a lance into a lance drive is also disclosed. Various lance designs are described for improving dispersion of reagent and decreasing process time, including lances having non-circular refractory portions and lances having cross-port arrangements for more evenly distributed reagent discharge.

Abstract: A dual outlet injector is disclosed for use in a dual lance or dual port desulfurization station, whereby reagent from a given injector vessel may be injected into two separate supply pipes respectively corresponding to the dual lances or dual ports. The dual outlet injector enables a desulfurization station to be configured comprising only one supply vessel for powdered magnesium reagent and only one supply vessel for a carrier reagent such as powdered lime.

Abstract: A dual outlet injector is disclosed for use in a dual lance or dual port desulfurization station, whereby reagent from a given injector vessel may be injected into two separate supply pipes respectively corresponding to the dual lances or dual ports. The dual outlet injector enables a desulfurization station to be configured comprising only one supply vessel for powdered magnesium reagent and only one supply vessel for a carrier reagent such as powdered lime.

Abstract: A desulfurization apparatus which employs first and second separate independently movable spaced apart lances (10, 12), each lance having a single conduit (22) through which the desulfurization materials may flow from feed vessels (40, 42, 44, 46) into the molten iron in a ladle (16). First and second independently operable raising and lowering apparatus (28, 30) are provided, the first raising and lowering apparatus (28) being connected to the first lance (10), and the second raising and lowering apparatus (30) being connected to the second lance. Each of the first and second raising and lowering apparatus (28,30) is capable of moving the associated lance (10, 12) from between a raised position where the lower end of the associated lance is spaced above the surface of the molten iron in the ladle and a lowered position where the lower end of the associated lance is spaced within the ladle at a proper location for desulfurization of the molten iron.

Abstract: An orifice valve assembly which may be utilized to control the flow of a fluent material, such as powdered magnesium, propelled by gas under pressure, the valve controlling the flow in a linear manner.The valve includes a valve body having first and second adjacent concentric bores, the first bore being of a larger diameter than the second bore, and a cross-bore intersecting the first bore, the cross-bore having a cylindrical portion which intersects the first bore and frusto-conical inlet and outlet portions to either side of the cylindrical portion.