Abstract: A sensor dropper for storing, shielding and dropping sensors into a BOF vessel. The sensor dropper includes a support frame to move the stored sensors toward or away from a sensor drop path leading into said BOF vessel, a dropper assembly supported on the support frame for storing and releasing sensors into the sensor drop path to the BOF, and a shield gate to protect the sensor dropper and stored sensors from BOF fume. The dropper assembly includes a plurality of storage and release mechanisms and corresponding shear mechanisms. Each storage and release mechanism includes a threaded sensor support shaft from which a stored sensor is suspended and dropped into the sensor drop path when the threads of the sensor support shaft are rotated in an outward direction, and each shear mechanism includes a shear blade housed within a tubular cutter having outer shear blades to sever an electrical sensor cable when the inner shear blade is rotated past the outer shear blades.

Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum treating molten steel includes a ladle having a sidewall, a substantially circular closed bottom, and an open top. A first gas injector is operably associated with the bottom for introducing a supply of a selected first gas into the ladle. A barrel degasser is operably associated with the ladle for being introduced into the ladle through the open top. The degasser includes a generally cylindrical shell having a single substantially continuous diameter opening them through defining a treatment space. A second gas injector is radially directed and operably associated with the shell for communicating with the treatment space. A source of the first gas is in flow communication with the first and second injectors. A vacuum source is operably associated with the barrel degasser for applying a vacuum to the treatment space.

Abstract: A BOF drop-in sensor assembly includes a handle, a weight, a sensor, and a cage to protect the sensor. The weight includes a high density material having a density of at least 1.2 times the density of steel. The cage comprises crossed rods which are easily melted and which allow molten steel to quickly envelop the sensor providing a highly reliable and accurate reading.

Abstract: A shield comprising a refractory material resistant to pentration by a continuous stream of molten steel and a retaining means to hold the refractory material contiguous to a heat absorption surface.

Abstract: An air cooled refractory covered injection lance for introducing reactive gases below the surface of a molten metal bath where the lance is provided with means to surround the reactive gas conduit with a high velocity cooling fluid to prevent thermal decomposition of the reactive gas prior to its injection into the molten metal bath.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for the removal of hydrogen from molten ferrous alloys in the unkilled state via a chemical reaction with a halogen-containing compound. The halogen-containing compound is typically introduced into the molten alloy in the gaseous state. The process can be carried out in a conventional ladle metallurgy station.

Abstract: The temperature of molten steel in a ladle is raised to a predetermined level by introducing a plurality of oxygen containing gas streams beneath the surface of molten steel and introducing a predetermined quantity of an oxidizable fuel, such as aluminum or silicon, into the molten steel.

Abstract: Apparatus for introducing reactive and nonreactive gases through the refractory lining of a metallurgical vessel, such as bottom injection of such gases into a BOF to improve mixed blowing efficiency. The apparatus comprises one or more refractory blocks which may be set within a metal canister. The refractory blocks have a plurality of slots each containing one or more small diameter nonreactive metal tubes for conveying gases. The refractory block may also contain means for measuring the rate of wear of the refractory blocks in the canister.