Abstract: A charging system for a shaft smelt reduction furnace includes a frame structure for mounting on a top charge opening of a shaft smelt reduction vessel; a center shaft arrangement supported by the frame structure and for removing off-gas gases from the furnace and to introduce granular charge materials to form a stack of materials in the furnace. The center shaft arrangement includes a center hood for off-gas extraction; a pair of first and second feed channels for first and second materials. The center hood includes a pair of facing off-gas panels defining an off-gas channel. The partition walls include lower portions that extend towards each other below the center hood to define a center feed passage, whereby material descending through the first feed channels may accumulate on lower portions according to the angle of repose of the material, permitting self-adjustment of the first material stock-line in the shaft arrangement.

Abstract: A method of charging a coke oven with coal includes the steps of charging coal in a coke oven chamber, whereby a heap of coal forms in the chamber; and leveling the heap of coal, where the leveling step includes: introducing a blasting end of a blasting pipe into the heap of coal, the blasting pipe being in communication with a pressurized gas storage vessel configured to release gas blasts; releasing at least one gas blast through the blasting end in the heap of coal in order to cause a leveling thereof; removing the blasting pipe from the chamber.

Abstract: A charging system for a shaft smelt reduction furnace includes a frame structure for mounting on a top charge opening of a shaft smelt reduction vessel; a center shaft arrangement supported by the frame structure and for removing off-gas gases from the furnace and to introduce granular charge materials to form a stack of materials in the furnace. The center shaft arrangement includes a center hood for off-gas extraction; a pair of first and second feed channels for first and second materials. The center hood includes a pair of facing off-gas panels defining an off-gas channel. The partition walls include lower portions that extend towards each other below the center hood to define a center feed passage, whereby material descending through the first feed channels may accumulate on lower portions according to the angle of repose of the material, permitting self-adjustment of the first material stock-line in the shaft arrangement.

Abstract: A method of charging a coke oven with coal includes the steps of charging coal in a coke oven chamber, whereby a heap of coal forms in the chamber; and leveling the heap of coal, where the leveling step includes: introducing a blasting end of a blasting pipe into the heap of coal, the blasting pipe being in communication with a pressurized gas storage vessel configured to release gas blasts; releasing at least one gas blast through the blasting end in the heap of coal in order to cause a leveling thereof; removing the blasting pipe from the chamber.

Abstract: A spreading device (10) for the spreading of bulk material on a circular surface comprises a distribution plate (12) mounted about a central shaft (14); at least one radially extending slit (16) arranged in the distribution plate (12); and a scraper device (24) for spreading the bulk material over the length of the slit (16). The bulk material is preferably granular or powdered covering material to be deposited as an insulation layer on the top layer of a casting mold containing molten steel or metal. According to the present invention, a rectangular distribution trough (22) mounted on the distribution plate (12), the slit (16) being arranged within the distribution trough (22). Furthermore, a feed pipe (30) is arranged so as to feed bulk material into the distribution trough (22) onto an area corresponding to the rotational center (18) of the distribution plate. The slit (16) extends from the rotational center (18) of the distribution plate (12) to the edge (20) thereof.

Abstract: A hatch and valve arrangement for a charging installation for a shaft furnace, such as a blast furnace, said arrangement comprising a housing (1), inside which is located at least one hatch (21) and/or a valve (31), caused to pivot by an actuator (25, 35) located outside the housing and connected to the hatch or valve by a linking shaft guided in a bearing that is fixed with respect to the housing. The bearing (24, 34) and the actuator (25, 35) are mounted on a detachable door (26, 36) that seals an opening (13, 15) made in the wall of the housing (1) and whose dimensions are determined such that the hatch or the valve can be withdrawn transversely to the axis of the housing through said opening.

Abstract: A spreading device (10) for the spreading of bulk material on a circular surface comprises a distribution plate (12) mounted about a central shaft (14); at least one radially extending slit (16) arranged in the distribution plate (12); and a scraper device (24) for spreading the bulk material over the length of the slit (16). The bulk material is preferably granular or powdered covering material to be deposited as an insulation layer on the top layer of a casting mould containing molten steel or metal. According to the present invention, a rectangular distribution trough (22) mounted on the distribution plate (12), the slit (16) being arranged within the distribution trough (22). Furthermore, a feed pipe (30) is arranged so as to feed bulk material into the distribution trough (22) onto an area corresponding to the rotational centre (18) of the distribution plate. The slit (16) extends from the rotational centre (18) of the distribution plate (12) to the edge (20) thereof.

Abstract: A hatch and valve arrangement for a charging installation for a shaft furnace, such as a blast furnace, said arrangement comprising a housing (1), inside which is located at least one hatch (21) and/or a valve (31), caused to pivot by an actuator (25, 35) located outside the housing and connected to the hatch or valve by a linking shaft guided in a bearing that is fixed with respect to the housing. The bearing (24, 34) and the actuator (25, 35) are mounted on a detachable door (26, 36) that seals an opening (13, 15) made in the wall of the housing (1) and whose dimensions are determined such that the hatch or the valve can be withdrawn transversely to the axis of the housing through said opening.