Abstract: The invention relates to a stopper for a metallurgical melting pot with. Stoppers of this type serve to control the discharge of a molten metal in the area of an outlet of an associated melting pot, for example, a tundish.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stopper for a metallurgical melting pot with. Stoppers of this type serve to control the discharge of a molten metal in the area of an outlet of an associated melting pot, for example, a tundish.

Abstract: A stopper device for controlling a flow of molten metal at an outlet opening of a metallurgical vessel, said device comprising: a) a rod like body (12) with a longitudinal axis (A) and made of a refractory ceramic material, b) an elongated bore hole (14) extending from an upper surface of said body (12) towards its opposite lower end, wherein c) said bore hole (14) being equipped, at least at its portion adjacent the lower end of the body (12), with at least one fixing means (16) adapted to receive corresponding fixing means (18) of a refractory ceramic part (20, 22, 38) to be fixed at the lower end of the body (12).

Abstract: A gas injection stone is manufactured by embedding in a refractory compound a plurality of adjacent and abutting nets. Thereby, when the refractory compound is solidified and when the nets subsequently are removed by burning or melting, the result will be the formation within the stone of plural interconnected layers of interlinked gas channels.

Abstract: A refractory gas permeable injection device for introducing gas into a metallurgical vessel containing molten metal has a surface to be exposed to and progressively worn away by the molten metal during operation of the vessel. The device includes an outer body and an inner body within the outer body, at least the inner body being formed of a fireproof refractory material. A gas permeable space extends through the device in the direction of wear thereof, and the space has a plurality of different geometric shapes spaced in such direction. Upon the metallurgical vessel being emptied, and with the device still relatively hot, gas is caused to flow through the space such that the gas will create on the surface an optically recognizable image in a particular geometric shape as a function of the relative degree of wear of the device.

Abstract: A composite assembly includes a ceramic inner member and an outer shell member fit around the inner member. The outer shell member is heated and expanded, the two members then are mutually located at predetermined positions relative to each other, and the members are cooled such that the outer shell member shrinks onto the inner member. Heating of the outer shell member is achieved by an inductive heater to result in the predetermined temperature, after which the inner member is moved to the predetermined position thereof relative to the outer shell member, while the outer shell member is maintained at such predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A gas flushing device includes a ceramic refractory perforated brick extended through a refractory lining of a wall of a metallurgical vessel. The perforated brick has an outer end having therein a recess opening outwardly of the vessel. A ceramic refractory gas flushing stone is fitted within such recess. The perforated brick has a portion that covers an inner end of the gas flushing stone and that projects therefrom inwardly beyond the vessel lining toward the vessel interior. The projecting portion of the perforated brick has a gas permeable region confronting the inner end of the gas flushing stone. As a result, gas passing through the gas flushing stone to the inner end thereof then passes through the gas permeable region of the projecting portion of the perforated brick into molten metal within the interior of the vessel.

Abstract: A flow starting tube for initiating the discharge flow of molten material in a vessel through a bottom discharge opening thereof extends upwardly from a lower end fitted to the discharge opening to thereby block access of the molten material to the discharge opening. The flow starting tube has a configuration such that it is broken away at a predetermined breaking position when the level of molten material in the vessel reaches a suitable level. Such breaking away at the predetermined breaking position is achieved under the influence of the molten material burning through the flow starting tube at the predetermined breaking position and/or the influence of the buoyancy in the molten material of a portion of the flow starting tube above the predetermined breaking position.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a gas washing sink in a centered manner within an opening through a perforated brick in a wall of a metallurgical vessel and for removing the sink from the perforated brick includes a support assembly to be fixedly mounted on the exterior of the wall of the metallurgical vessel adjacent the opening in the perforated brick. A fastening assembly supports the sink and is mounted with respect to the support assembly for movement relative thereto between an operating position, whereat the sink is pressed into the opening throgh the perforated brick in a centered manner, and a maintenance position, whereat the sink is withdrawn from the opening through the perforated brick. Structure moves the fastening assembly relative to the support assembly to the operating position. A withdrawal apparatus moves the fastening assembly relative to the support assembly from the operating position to the maintenance position.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a gas washing sink in a centered manner within an opening through a perforated brick in a wall of a metallurgical vessel and for removing the sink from the perforated brick includes a support assembly to be fixedly mounted on the exterior of the wall of the metallurgical vessel adjacent the opening in the perforated brick. A fastening assembly supports the sink and is mounted with respect to the support assembly for movement relative thereto between an operating position, whereat the sink is pressed into the opening through the perforated brick in a centered manner, and a maintenance position, whereat the sink is withdrawn from the opening through the perforated brick. Structures moves the fastening assembly relative to the support assembly to the operating position. A withdrawal apparatus moves the fastening assembly relative to the support assembly from the operating position to the maintenance position.

Abstract: A gas washing sink for use in introducing gas through a metallurgical vessel into molten metal therein includes a gas permeable refractory inner brick portion and a gas impermeable refractory outer brick portion surrounding the inner brick portion. The inner and outer brick portions define a first sink end to be exposed to the molten metal. The outer brick portion has an end face defining a second sink end to be directed away from the molten metal. A gas distribution chamber has a first end open to the inner brick portion and a second end opening onto the end face of the outer brick portion and defined thereat by an opening. A sealing surface extending concentrically of the opening has pressed thereagainst, at a pressure sufficient to achieve a seal therebetween, a closure member for closing the second end of the gas distribution chamber and having a gas inlet connection for introducing gas into the gas distribution chamber.

Abstract: A safety-type gas washing sink for use in introducing gas through a metallurgical vessel and molten metal therein includes a refractory wearable brick portion defining a first sink end to be exposed to the molten metal and becoming worn during use, such wearable brick portion having therethrough gas flow paths for the passage of gas into the molten metal, and a refractory safety brick portion defining a second sink end to be directed away from the molten metal and through which the gas can be delivered to the gas flow paths in the wearable sink portion. The safety brick portion has a higher thermal conductivity than the wearable brick portion, and the gas flow paths continue into the safety brick portion. Thus, any molten metal that breaks through the wearable brick portion to the safety brick portion will be caused to solidify at the safety brick portion due to rapid dissipation of heat thereby.

Abstract: A movable refractory plate assembly for use in a sliding closure unit for controlling the discharge of molten metal from a metallurgical vessel includes a movable refractory plate having therein at least one aperture and having a sliding surface. A replaceable refractory erosion unit, which may be integral or which may include a separate erosion insert and a separate discharge nozzle, is positioned within the aperture of the movable refractor plate. The erosion unit has therethrough a discharge opening and has a sliding surface aligned with a sliding surface of the movable refractory plate. A frame supports the movable refractory plate for movement, and a support coupling removably mounts the erosion unit with respect to the movable refractory plate.

Abstract: A refractory immersion tube has an inner passage through which passes molten metal from a metallurgical vessel into a mold and includes an inlet opening for receiving the molten metal and at least one outlet opening extending from the passage for discharging the molten metal into the mold. A refractory annular member is positioned within the passage to restrict the cross-sectional area thereof, thereby to prevent the flow of the molten metal from the outlet opening from being turbulent and for ensuring that such flow is laminar.

Abstract: A refractory plate assembly includes a refractory plate having therethrough at least one discharge opening and a sheath tightly fitted around the periphery of the plate. The plate is formed of separate plate portions separated along planar surfaces extending outwardly from the discharge opening at positions where cracks would be formed during use of the plate if the plate were of unitary construction. The planar surfaces are separated by compressible refractory packing material, thereby forming expansion joints. The sheath compresses the packing material of the expansion joints.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sleeve for blowing solid materials into molten metal baths, specifically molten steel baths, through the wall of a ladle containing the molten metal bath. To improve the characteristics of such a sleeve, the invention proposes that a forward sleeve section, facing the molten metal bath, be made of an insulating material with lower thermal conductivity than that of the material of the middle and rear sleeve section.

Abstract: A gas washing device includes a permeable gas sink, a gas inlet for supplying gas through the sink to a molten metal container, a gas flow meter positioned upstream of the gas inlet, and a further gas sink having a gas permeability greater than that of the first-mentioned gas sink and positioned between the gas inlet and the first-mentioned gas sink.

Abstract: A casing assembly includes a nozzle brick to form part of a wall of a metallurgical vessel. The nozzle brick has therethrough a conical opening defined by a conical inner surface. A casing to be inserted into the conical opening has a truncated conical shape including a conical outer surface and an axially extending flow through opening. The conical opening and the casing have coaxial center axes, and the conical inner and outer surfaces extend at equal angles of inclination to such axes. The conical inner surface is jacketed with a thin metal shell having a conical shape with the same inclination as that of the conical inner and outer surfaces.

Abstract: A gas scavenging apparatus for a metallurgical vessel containing molten metal includes a frusto-conical refractory inner scavenging block inserted in the refractory lining of the vessel and having a smaller end surface facing the molten metal and a larger base end directed away from the molten metal. A frusto-conical refractory outer scavenging block is embedded within a mounting brick positioned outwardly of the inner scavenging block. The outer scavenging block has a smaller end surface smaller than and facing the larger base end of the inner scavenging block and a larger base end directed away from the inner scavenging block. The larger base end of the inner scavenging block has an annular end surface extending generally radially outwardly away from the smaller end surface of the outer scavenging block and resting on the mounting brick. Scavenging gas is passed through the outer scavenging block and then through the inner scavenging block to the molten metal.