Abstract: The disclosure relates to a molten metal producing and refining method which does not damage the apparatus, realizes a stable and high second combustion rate, and is capable of effectively recovering heat generated by the second combustion. The method comprises introducing a metal-containing material, a carbonaceous material, a flux and O.sub.2 gas into a furnace. The carbon which dissolves into the metal bath in the furnace from the carbonaceous material is combusted with the O.sub.2 gas to generate heat and CO gas. The CO gas is subjected to the second combustion with the O.sub.2 gas to additionally generate heat, and the metal-containing material is melted and refined by both the generated heat and carbon. The method is characterized in that O.sub.2 gas or O.sub.2 -containing gas is blown into the furnace through large-diameter tuyeres installed near the bottom of the furnace and a part of the O.sub.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a siphon tapping tube onto a tap hole mounting part of a converter vessel has a lower car and an upper car, which are placed on a ladle car which travels beneath a converter vessel, the lower car and the upper car being capable of travelling in the direction of the travel of the ladle car and in the direction perpendicular to that of the travel of the ladle car, respectively, a loading table mounted on the upper car, which is guided by an upright support frame and being capable of moving upward and downward with a siphon tapping tube loaded on the table, and bolt tightening and untightening units which are provided on the loading table in positions corresponding to the respective bolt hole set positions in the flange of the siphon tapping tube and are capable of receiving mounting bolts. TV camera is provided on the upper car, allowing the operator to monitor the tap hole mounting part.