Abstract: A melt is contained in a vessel having below the level of the melt an at least gas-pervious wall portion. First the slag is removed, normally by pouring it off, from the melt. Then a finely divided treatment solids suspended in a gas is introduced through the wall portion into the melt. The melt reacts thoroughly with these solids. Immediately deslagging the melt substantially reduces its ability to pick up nitrogen or hydrogen. This can be enhanced by the further step, prior to introduction of the suspension, of adding pure lime to the melt to form a protective layer thereon. The vehicle gas for the powder of course is inert, normally argon. The vessel can also be sealed up with a tight cover after addition of pure lime to it and before introduction of the suspension. Otherwise in the subsequent desulfurizing nitrogen and hydrogen will enter into the metal matrix, especially if there is an appropriate slag present.

Abstract: A method for producing liquid iron, especially for producing liquid iron directly from iron ore, mainly comprising the steps of saturating an iron bath in a container by blowing particulate carbon into the bath, dropping iron ore onto a central portion of the bath surface to form a cone of iron ore thereon, blowing oxygen onto an uncovered border zone of the bath surface, blowing particulate carbon by means of a carrier gas into the bath between the bottom of the container and the bath surface, and mixing the bath by blowing a neutral gas through a porous member from a substantially central portion of the bottom of the container in upward direction through the bath, whereby the necessary energy for melting the iron ore is produced by afterburning of the CO producing during blowing of oxygen onto the border zone; and an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: Molten metal is introduced in a continuous-casting system downwardly into a mold through a nozzle opening downwardly into the mold at an axis to form in the mold a body of molten metal having an upper surface carrying impurities above the mouth of the mold. The body of molten metal is rotated about the axis in the mold. The nozzle is provided generally at the level of the upper surface of the body of molten metal with radially outwardly projecting vanes that prevent the body from rotating about the axis at the upper surface, thereby preventing inclusions from being sucked into the body of molten metal.

Abstract: Process of refining of a metal bath in a crucible with oxygen blast at the top and crucible used.The invention consists essentially of providing in the bottom (15) of the crucible agitating gas injectors (15) located at least in a peripheral circular ring situated in immediate proximity to the refractory side wall. The injectors are preferably concentrated opposite the journals. Secondary injectors are, also preferably, provided in the bottom zone, intermediate between the ring and the center of the crucible.The invention makes it possible, in relation to the prior injection practice, to reduce the rate of dissolution of the agitating gas in the molten metal and then makes it possible to use a low-cost agitating gas, such as nitrogen, without risk of excessive nitridation of the bath.

Abstract: Slag sand and slag wool are formed by a method wherein molten slag is poured at a temperature above 1300.degree. C. in a thin flowing stream onto a vaned drum rotating at a peripheral speed of at least 25 m/sec. This drum, which may have forwardly directed nozzles for mixing the falling slag stream with a cooling medium such as water, breaks the slag up into droplets and projects these droplets through the air so they cool and form filaments and granules. The granules are collected separately from the filaments so that the installation simultaneously produces slag sand and slag wool.

Abstract: A composite beam especially for pile driving comprises an H-beam core whose flanges are bridged by steel sheets having inwardly bent edges engaging over outwardly projecting spurs on the flange edges. The web of the H-beam thus defines with the sheets two compartments which are internally lined with colloidal concrete, the outer steel surfaces being likewise coated with colloidal concrete.

Abstract: A process for refining a steel melt in a furnace in which a steel melt is formed with a slag layer thereon, the thickness of which can be controlled by passing a stream of inert gas upwardly through the melt, while directing a first stream of oxygen into the melt from a lance positioned above the melt for the top-blowing refining thereof to produce carbon monoxide above the melt and feeding a second stream of oxygen from the lance for the post-combustion of the released carbon monoxide, while monitoring continuously the thickness of the slag layer, the height of the melt, the carbon monoxide post-combustion factor (%CO.sub.2 /%CO+%CO.sub.2) and the speed of decarburization of the melt and controlling the height of the lance above the melt and the discharge rates of total blown oxygen, the second stream of oxygen and the inert gas stream at any given time in accordance with a particular relationship.

Abstract: A method of and a device for the shipping of hot metal goods, such as hot steel ingots and slabs, in which the ingots or slabs are lowered into a container in which a granular insulating material, preferably porous vermiculite, is fluidized by a pressurized gas during the introduction of these metal goods. The particles of the insulating material, upon termination of the fluidization are then allowed to pack around and envelop the metal goods. The insulating material is again fluidized during withdrawal of the metal goods at the unloading site.

Abstract: The heat balance in a shaft furnace, e.g. a blast furnace for the production of iron, is controlled by feeding peat in a comminuted form, i.e. with a mean particle size of 0.05 to 1 mm and a water content of less than 25%, into the blast furnace. The peat is previously comminuted by abrasion and the abraded product dried to a water content of less than 25%.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for the reduction of iron oxides continuously comprises a reducing vessel through which the iron oxide is passed and in which it is contacted with a reducing gas continuously withdrawn from a coking furnace during the second phase of the coking operation in which the effluent gas is rich in carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: Pollutant-containing gases which are generated in a steel-making and/or coking plant are mixed with fresh air in at least one stream and passed through an incandescent bed of minerals, e.g. the sintering cake of an ore-sintering furnace. The resulting gases are then subjected to gas cleaning in at least one filtering or washing station.

Abstract: Molten metallurgical slags are expanded by contact with water in a liquid or vapor state by passing the molten slag along a prefoaming or expanding trough by delivering the slag to this trough via an intermediate trough which is shiftable along the prefoaming trough in order to vary the location at which the slag contacts the prefoaming trough and the expanding-agent film thereon in accordance with physical characteristics of the molten slag, especially its temperature and viscosity. From the pre-expanding or prefoaming trough, the partially expanded slag may be subjected to expansion by conventional means, e.g. a rotating drum which disperses the slag particles through the air so that they can be collected in a completely expanded, dry and solidified state.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the treatment of metallurgical slag, the process comprising mechanical disintegration of a current of pyroplastic slag formed by initial cooling of a current of melting slag by means of water. This cooling comprises a first cooling phase taking place in the course of the flow of a continuous current of slag through an inclined channel into which a variable quantity of water is injected by pressure through the base, and a second cooling phase taking place during the largely free fall of the flow of slag onto a disintegration device. The initial slag cooling phase is accelerated or decelerated in accordance with the properties of the slag, and the intensity and/or duration of the mechanical disintegration is modified in accordance with the physical and granulometric properties of the slag required.A further aspect of the invention provides an installation for the performance of the process as set forth above.

Abstract: Molten metallurgical slags are expanded by contact with water in a liquid or vapor state by passing the molten slag along a prefoaming or expanding trough by delivering the slag to this trough via an intermediate trough which is shiftable along the prefoaming trough in order to vary the location at which the slag contacts the prefoaming trough and the expanding-agent film thereon in accordance with physical characteristics of the molten slag, especially its temperature and viscosity. From the pre-expanding or prefoaming trough, the partially expanded slag may be subjected to expansion by conventional means, e.g. a rotating drum which disperses the slag particles through the air so that they can be collected in a completely expanded, dry and solidified state.

Abstract: Expanded slag, especially blast-furnace slag of Thomas melts is made by passing the slag along a trough in which water is fed into a layer of the molten slag. The slag is then permitted to cascade downwardly along an inclined surface which is wetted with water and finally is dispersed by a rotating disintegration drum and curtain of finely divided water. The expanded slag has a lower density, a more complete expansion characteristic and a greater uniformity than conventionally produced expanded slags.

Abstract: A refining ladle provided with a refractory lining contains a liquid-steel melt topped by a layer of slag. Wear of the lining, which is principally concentrated at the region in contact with the slag is minimized by displacing the upper surface of the melt relative to the lining of the ladle or other smelting receptacle so as to spread this wear over a greater area. This displacement is effected by providing the ladle with a plurality of throughgoing holes establishing different levels at which the melt surface is held for predetermined regular intervals. It is also possible to rotate the ladle continuously or discontinuously about its longitudinal axis. A hardenable patching material may be sprayed against a portion of the ladle lining when this portion is exposed by displacement of the melt and slag therein.