Abstract: An assembly wherein inexpensive and essentially maintenance-free disposable sensors may be used in conjunction with a metal making lance. The assembly contemplates the use of disposable sensors that are accommodated by a sensor feed tube disposed interiorly or exteriorly of a conventional metal making lance. The sensors may be selected to detect one or more characteristics of the metal being treated and/or operating conditions of a metal treatment vessel.

Abstract: A fully automated system and method for rapidly and reliably detecting the ingestion of slag within the tip of a metal making lance. The system utilizes a temperature sensor disposed adjacent to the inner surface of the inner wall of a metal making lance tip. The sensor is in communication with a control station. The control station is preferably in operative communication with a valve for shutting off gas flow to the lance and, optionally, at least one alarm, a coolant fluid shut-off valve, and any other lance operation mechanisms as may be desired or necessary when slag is detected by the sensor. The inner wall of the lance tip is also preferably formed with a slag collecting reservoir for collecting ingested slag and directing it toward the temperature sensor for quick and reliable slag detection.

Abstract: A metal making lance tip assembly including a tip face member having a plurality of outlets, a plurality of nozzles corresponding in number and in communication with the tip face member outlets, and a coolant flow baffle member for directing coolant flow around the nozzles. The lance tip assembly further includes both a generally centrally disposed coolant fluid diverting protrusion and a plurality of radial vanes at the inner surface of the lance tip face member, which vanes preferably extend essentially the entire axial distance between the inner surface of the lance tip face member and a lower surface of the coolant flow baffle member and essentially the entire radial distance from the central protrusion to an annular coolant fluid return passageway.

Abstract: A lance for discharging high velocity oxygen or other gases to remove skulls which form within the upper cone section of steelmaking vessels. The lance includes a lance tip having a plurality of sets of radially spaced nozzles whereby gas is directed generally laterally outwardly against the inner wall of the cone section to retard or remove the skulls.

Abstract: An assembly wherein inexpensive and essentially maintenance-free disposable sensors may be used in conjunction with a metal making lance. The assembly contemplates the use of disposable sensors that are accommodated by a sensor feed tube disposed interiorly or exteriorly of a conventional metal making lance. The sensors may be selected to detect one or more characteristics of the metal being treated and/or operating conditions of a metal treatment vessel.

Abstract: An assembly wherein inexpensive and essentially maintenance-free sensor means may be used in conjunction with conventional a metal making lance with minimal adaptation of the lance's structure. The assembly contemplates the use of consumable sensors that may be dispensed through a sensor feed tube disposed interiorly or exteriorly of a conventional metal making lance. The sensors may be selected to detect one or more characteristics of the metal being treated and/or operating conditions of the furnace vessel.

Abstract: A lance tip assembly for a water-cooled lance as well as a method for constructing same. The lance tip assembly includes a first component of solid cast metal which is secured to a second or lower component of forged metal. Each active material discharge nozzle of the combined forged and cast lance tip assembly is constructed in part of the first cast component and in part of the second forged component. Only a single bond is required to join the first and second component at each nozzle site. The first and second components are fabricated to include structural features which individually and collectively promote high coolant water flow velocity through the lance tip and substantially uniform cooling of face of the lance tip.

Abstract: A steelmaking furnace is cleaned and maintained using a lance which includes an elongated lance body including at least one first nozzle opening proximal to an end that extends into the furnace and at least one other second nozzle opening spaced upwardly from the first nozzle opening. Structure defines at least one passageway extending through the body to the first nozzle opening and to the second nozzle opening. Gas supply means selectively introduces different gases into the passageway. The lance apparatus can be operated to emit either different gases or the same gas from the first and second nozzle openings at the same time. The gases emitted include an oxygen-containing gas and a gas that includes an inert gas.

Abstract: An improved oxygen blowing/fuel burner lance assembly for introducing, at selected times, a flow of oxygen and/or carbonaceous fuel material, such as fine-grained carbon or hydrocarbon gas (e.g., natural gas and the like), into an electric furnace vessel. The lance assembly includes a housing portion, a straight barrel having a first and connected to the housing portion and a second end connected to a lance tip. The lance tip includes a nozzle structure having at least one oxygen injection nozzle and at least one carbonaceous material injection nozzle which together define a burner assembly for dispensing a combined flow of carbonaceous fuel and oxygen from the lance which may be ignited to produce a flame for preheating a scrap charge in an electric furnace vessel.

Abstract: An oxygen/carbon blowing lance assembly for directing a supersonic flow of oxygen and a flow of graphite against the surface of molten bath in a steelmaking electric furnace. The two flows impinge upon the slag surface at discrete separate areas in the slag and the supersonic oxygen flow acts to emulsify the slag. The lance assembly includes a coolant shut off valve to prevent loss of coolant upon failure of the nozzle. The housing of the lance assembly includes a modular design for ease of maintenance.

Abstract: An oxygen lance for steelmaking is provided with a top adapter assembly of generally T-shaped configuration including a central tubular barrel and a transverse top plate which both contain the O'rings required to assure complete adequate sealing between the oxygen gas and the cooling medium utilized in the furnace.The O'rings are placed on the outside circumference of the central barrel and are held in place in grooves therein so that they cannot be accidentally displaced during oxygen blowing or during assembly and disassembly of the lance. Access to the O'rings is simplified and assured while maintaining complete sealing integrity of the T-shaped top plate and complete sealing reliability during operation. The T-shaped top plate carries the sealing O'rings in grooves provided in the tubular vertical barrel and in a transverse plate thus providing means whereby interchange of the bottom assembly in the lance combination is quickly achieved in the field or factory.

Abstract: A water-cooled lance is supported above the mouth of a steel-making vessel for vertical reciprocating movement and includes a slurry pipe which is rotatably positioned to spray repair material against the inner lining of the vessel, or to place a new lining on the interior of the vessel.

Abstract: A lance for use in a basic oxygen vessel is provided with a fluid cooling arrangement which is mounted directly on the lance structure and which is vertically adjustable therewith to provide a fluid spray which effectively enables and ensures cooling and suppression of the exiting gas before it contacts the hood and moves into the ducts of the hood structure.

Abstract: Skulls which form within the upper nose section of steelmaking vessels are removed by means of a centrally located top blowing lance designed to blow at high velocity oxygen or other gases. The lance includes laterally extending ports communicating with a central relatively wide gas chamber and the gas is directed generally laterally outwardly against the inner wall of the nose section to retard or remove the skulls.

Abstract: A lance assembly for insertion into a steelmaking vessel includes a sensor instrument supporting nozzle assembly which projects outwardly from the lance and which is cooled by water circulation. The lance has provisions for the inclusion of an inert gas which is directed into a reduced diameter cable enclosing pipe connected to the nozzle supporting the sensor instrument.

Abstract: A water cooled material additive chute for introducing fluxing material into a steel furnace includes water cooled inlet and outlet chambers meeting at a tip or nose portion which includes deflectors adapted to increase the cooling efficiency of the water coolant and includes a pipe structure which accommodates thermal expansion.

Abstract: Skulls which form within the upper nose section of steelmaking vessels are removed by means of a centrally located top blowing lance designed to blow at high velocity oxygen or other gases. The lance includes laterally extending ports communicating with a central relatively wide gas chamber and the gas is directed generally laterally outwardly against the inner wall of the nose section to retard or remove the skulls.

Abstract: A water cooled material additive chute for introducing fluxing material into a furnace including water cooled inlet and outlet chambers meeting at a tip or nose portion, a local coolant water injection pipe extending through one of the chambers and into the tip region to augment the cooling efficiency of the water coolant, and a pipe structure which accommodates thermal expansion.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a combination of a lance and nozzle assembly for supplying gas to a basic oxygen furnace. The lance and nozzle include an arrangement to accommodate a sensing device or unit which is adapted to transmit signals providing information in connection with the refractory or contents of the bath contained within the vessel. The arrangement is such that it accommodates the normal expansion and contraction of the lance resulting from the atmosphere within which the lance is utilized.

Abstract: A lance for use in a basic oxygen vessel is provided with a fluid cooling arrangement which is mounted directly on the lance structure and which is vertically adjustable therewith to provide a fluid spray which effectively enables and ensures cooling and suppression of the exiting gas before it contacts the hood and moves into the ducts of the hood structure.