Abstract: A simple and compact device for wet granulation of liquid slag, comprising a granulating basin with a water injection device and a decanting basin that is separate from the granulating basin. A distribution channel for the granulate-water mixture extends above the decanting basin and is provided with outflow means along the entire length and on the lower side thereof for the granulate-water mixture. A vertical inflow shaft that is open towards the bottom is arranged underneath the distribution channel. The outflow means for the granulate-water mixture discharges into said inflow shaft.

Abstract: A device in which a mixture of steam and contaminated air is first of all channelled into an upward stream and that the mixture subsequently flows as a downward stream in a vessel maintained at reduced pressure. The device further includes an arrangement for spraying an alkaline aqueous solution into the downward stream of the mixture of steam and contaminated air. The decontaminated uncondensed gases are thereby removed from the vessel by a forced and adjustable stream which creates and maintains a reduced pressure inside the vessel.

Abstract: A method and device is provided for the combined injection of pulverized coal and a gaseous oxidant into a crucible of a shaft furnace, especially a blast furnace, through a hot-air blast tuyere. In the region of the nozzle end of the tuyere in the crucible, the pulverized coal is injected into the hot-air blast, in the form of a hollow annular jet and the gaseous oxidant is injected inside the hollow annular jet. A lance for implementing the method comprises two coaxial tubes and a distributing unit provided with a central bore for the pulverized coal.

Abstract: The method consists in forming in a single metering device a pneumatic mixture comprising the powdered substances and the propellent gas, in propelling this mixture through a common main 18 into a distributor 20 in which the mixture is split into secondary currents which are sent to each of the injection points respectively through secondary pipes 22.sub.1, 22.sub.2, . . . 22.sub.n, in determining the flow rate in each of the secondary pipes 22.sub.1, 22.sub.2, . . . 22.sub.n by the tuyere 28.sub.1, 28.sub.2, . . . 28.sub.n flow cross-sections and in influencing the transport conditions in each secondary pipe 22.sub.1, 22.sub.2, . . . 22.sub.n by acting on the pressure P3 downstream from each tuyere 28.sub.1, 28.sub.2, . . . 28.sub.n in order to maintain this pressure at a determined value.The method is aimed more particularly at the injection of powdered coal into a blast furnace.

Abstract: The device comprises a housing with a circular passage orifice, a pivoting closing element in the form of a spherical dome and a circular gasket surrounding the said orifice and mounted on an annular support axially displacable towards the closing element under the action of a pneumatic fluid, the said annular support possessing for this purpose a passive annular surface exposed to the pressure in the said housing, the active surface of the support being larger than its passive surface.

Abstract: A device for shutting off pipelines for the transport of bulk product is disclosed. The device comprises a housing with a circular passage orifice, a closing element mounted pivotably in the housing, and an annular gasket surrounding the said orifice and capable of interacting with the peripheral part of the closing element. The gasket is mounted on a fixed support, and the closing element is displaceable along an axis perpendicular relative to its pivot axis. The device is particularly adapted for pipelines for transport of coal dust.

Abstract: An apparatus is presented for the pneumatic injection of pulverulent materials into a pressurized vessel, comprising a storage silo, a distribution silo, a series of metering devices for extracting the pulverulent materials from the distribution silo, pneumatic conveying pipes connecting each of the metering devices to the vessel, and also a device for the automatic transfer of the pulverulent material from the storage silo (which is under substantially atmospheric pressure) to the distribution silo in which a pressure higher than that in vessel prevails. An important feature of the present invention is the presence of two intermediate silos each connected via automatic valves, upstream to the storage silo and, downstream, to the distribution silo; and by a pressurizing circuit connecting a source of inert gas under pressure through automatic valves to each of the intermediate silos.

Abstract: A device for introducing dosed quantities of pulverized solid materials into a carrier gas stream is presented. The device is particularly suitable for injecting solid fuels into a shaft furnace during metal refining. The device comprises a housing which defines a flow chamber in the axial direction for the flow of pressurized fluid or carrier gas. The housing also has a side aperture therethrough. The side aperture is connected to a container holding pulverized materials. Coaxial inner and outer sleeves, at least one of which is capable of rotation, are located within the housing. The outer sleeve communicates with the aperture while the inner sleeve has an axial bore which provides a passage for the carrier gas. Upon rotation of a sleeve, slots provided on each sleeve will align and overlap with each other and with the aperture to define a variable sized passage between the container and axial bore whereby the pulverized material is delivered therethrough to the carrier gas stream.

Abstract: A device for introducing dosed quantities of pulverized solid materials into a carrier gas stream is presented. The device is particularly suitable for injecting solid fuels into a shaft furnace during metal refining. The device comprises a housing having oppositely disposed inlet and outlet radial apertures therethrough. The inlet radial aperture is connected to a container holding pulverized materials. Coaxial inner and outer sleeves, at least one of which is capable of rotation, are located within the housing. Upon rotation of a sleeve, pairs of oppositely disposed slots provided on each sleeve will align and overlap with each other and with the pair of oppositely disposed apertures to define variable sized passages. A cheek positioned on one end of the housing has a cylindrical extension portion which extends axially into the inner sleeve and extends across the inlet and outlet apertures.

Abstract: A device for introducing dosed or proportioned quantities of pulverized solid materials into a carrier gas stream is presented. The device comprises a housing which defines a flow chamber in the axial direction for the flow of pressurized fluid or carrier gas. The housing also has a side aperture therethrough. The side aperture is connected to a container holding pulverized materials. Coaxial inner and outer sleeves, at least one of which is capable of rotation, are located within the housing. The outer sleeve communicates with the aperture while the inner sleeve has an axial bore which provides a passage for the carrier gas. Upon rotation of a sleeve, slots provided on each sleeve will align and overlap with each other and with the aperture to define a variable sized passage between the container and axial bore whereby the pulverized material is delivered therethrough to the carrier gas stream.

Abstract: This invention presents apparatus and a method for controlling the contents and the filling of a distribution tank for pulverized material. The apparatus and method include structure for and the steps of weighing the distribution tank and an intermediate tank and structure for and the steps of sealing the connection between the tanks for transfer of material and separating the tanks for weighing.

Abstract: This invention presents apparatus and a process for the injection of metered amounts of pulverized materials by a pneumatic device into a vessel which is under variable pressure, and the application thereof to a shaft furnace.

Abstract: An apparatus for plugging the taphole of a shaft furnace is presented which comprises a fixed support frame having a main pivoting joint and a jib device. The jib consists of a rotary support joint. The other end of the rotary support arm having one end which is pivotably mounted on the main pivot joint. The other end of the rotary support arm is pivotably mounted via an auxiliary pivot to a clay gun. A hydraulic jack having a piston and cylinder arrangement is mounted on journals in the fixed support frame. The piston rod portion of the hydraulic jack actuates the support arm wherein the arm and the clay gun attached thereto pivot from a retracted position into an operative position or vice versa. An important feature of the present invention is that the support arm has a bend therein such that the inside of the bend is disposed about the journals of the jack when the clay gun occupies its retracted position.

Abstract: A feeding mechanism for a shaft furnace is presented wherein the feeding mechanism is mounted axially on the furnace and employs a vertically adjustable frustoconical dosing element for vertical flow of charging material to a distributing spout.

Abstract: A pulverized combustible material or ore is transported from a storage container, at atmospheric pressure, to the interior of a pressurized shaft furnace via three intermediate receptacles. The material is weighed in the first receptacle, pneumatically transported to the second receptacle, the second receptacle pressurized and the material transmitted under pressure to the third receptacle which is maintained at a pressure which is higher than the furnace pressure.

Abstract: A pulverized material, particularly coal or lignite, is maintained in a fluidized state in a storage container and is released therefrom into a carrier gas stream. The gas for causing fluidization and maintaining a pressure in the container which is greater than the carrier gas pressure is in part obtained by recycling gas vented from the container, the vented gas being filtered and increased in pressure. The vented gas may also be employed to aid in the delivery of the pulverized material into the container.

Abstract: A fuel stream comprising a combustible pulverized material entrained in a carrier gas is formed and subsequently injected into a blast furnace with the hot blast air without any detrimental effect on the hot air blast and with minimum energy consumption. The volume flow rate and pressure of the carrier gas are controlled as functions of the furnace pressure and the pulverized material feed rate is simultaneously controlled as a function of the carrier gas pressure drop.

Abstract: A valve for opening and closing a fluid conduit of the type having a generally wide cross-section, the conduit having a transverse slit therein to allow for movement of a shut-off member into and out of registration therewith. The shut-off member has a spherical shape and cooperates with an apertured member which defines a surface of the same sphere. Both the shut-off member and the apertured member may be arcuately displaced, about a common axis, to establish either a closed or opened conduit with leakage from the conduit in either the opened or closed position being prevented by peripheral portions of the shut-off member and apertured member.

Abstract: A pulverized solid fuel is injected into a shaft furnace by being entrained in a stream of pressurized air, the resulting fuel-air mixture subsequently being further mixed with heated air being delivered to the furnace via a tuyere. The air used to entrain the pulverized fuel is diverted from the cold air supply to a mixing station, which is used to control the temperature of the hot air supplied to the furnace via the tuyere, and this diverted air is pressurized prior to the pulverized material entrainment.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding and positioning the tool of a machine for plugging or drilling blast furnace tapholes, the apparatus comprising an inclined main pivot, a support arm which is rotatably mounted at one end on the inclined main pivot and having a tool pivotally fitted by an auxiliary pivot to the free end of the support arm, a guide rod mounted to the working tool and mounted to a fixed point in the vicinity of the main pivot, and a driving mechanism serving to pivot the tool and the support arm about the main pivot from a retracted position to an operational position, the longitudinal axis of the auxiliary pivot being oblique with respect to the longitudinal axis of the main pivot to provide for a low profile trajectory of the working tool.