Abstract: A gas flushing device includes a ceramic refractory perforated brick extended through a refractory lining of a wall of a metallurgical vessel. The perforated brick has an outer end having therein a recess opening outwardly of the vessel. A ceramic refractory gas flushing stone is fitted within such recess. The perforated brick has a portion that covers an inner end of the gas flushing stone and that projects therefrom inwardly beyond the vessel lining toward the vessel interior. The projecting portion of the perforated brick has a gas permeable region confronting the inner end of the gas flushing stone. As a result, gas passing through the gas flushing stone to the inner end thereof then passes through the gas permeable region of the projecting portion of the perforated brick into molten metal within the interior of the vessel.

Abstract: A flow starting tube for initiating the discharge flow of molten material in a vessel through a bottom discharge opening thereof extends upwardly from a lower end fitted to the discharge opening to thereby block access of the molten material to the discharge opening. The flow starting tube has a configuration such that it is broken away at a predetermined breaking position when the level of molten material in the vessel reaches a suitable level. Such breaking away at the predetermined breaking position is achieved under the influence of the molten material burning through the flow starting tube at the predetermined breaking position and/or the influence of the buoyancy in the molten material of a portion of the flow starting tube above the predetermined breaking position.

Abstract: A movable refractory plate assembly for use in a sliding closure unit for controlling the discharge of molten metal from a metallurgical vessel includes a movable refractory plate having therein at least one aperture and having a sliding surface. A replaceable refractory erosion unit, which may be integral or which may include a separate erosion insert and a separate discharge nozzle, is positioned within the aperture of the movable refractor plate. The erosion unit has therethrough a discharge opening and has a sliding surface aligned with a sliding surface of the movable refractory plate. A frame supports the movable refractory plate for movement, and a support coupling removably mounts the erosion unit with respect to the movable refractory plate.

Abstract: A worn and damaged refractory plate having a planar sealing surface with a sealing area at a first portion of the plate and a discharge opening extending through the plate at a second area is repaired or renewed by providing the damaged plate with a new discharge opening at the sealing area. The damaged, first-mentioned discharge opening and the wear area therearound are filled with refractory material to a level flush with the sealing surface, thereby forming a new sealing area.

Abstract: A refractory plate assembly includes a refractory plate having therethrough at least one discharge opening and a sheath tightly fitted around the periphery of the plate. The plate is formed of separate plate portions separated along planar surfaces extending outwardly from the discharge opening at positions where cracks would be formed during use of the plate if the plate were of unitary construction. The planar surfaces are separated by compressible refractory packing material, thereby forming expansion joints. The sheath compresses the packing material of the expansion joints.

Abstract: Refractory parts for valve closures include members which by mutual sliding or rotary action, interrupt the flow of molten metal from a metallurgical vessel. Closed reservoirs filled with an impregnation agent, for example tar, pitch, methane gas, are provided embedded in the refractory parts and disposed adjacent to refractory wearing surfaces which are susceptible to undergo depletion and wear. The impregnation agent, on being heated by molten metal, slowly releases hydrocarbons which percolate through the refractory pores to the refractory wearing surfaces to prevent premature wear to the refractory surface and to provide lubrication for the flow of molten material in contact with the refractory wearing surfaces. The impregnation agent can be replenished in the form of replaceable porous cartridges which can be inserted into the reservoirs.

Abstract: A gas washing device includes a permeable gas sink, a gas inlet for supplying gas through the sink to a molten metal container, a gas flow meter positioned upstream of the gas inlet, and a further gas sink having a gas permeability greater than that of the first-mentioned gas sink and positioned between the gas inlet and the first-mentioned gas sink.

Abstract: A casing assembly includes a nozzle brick to form part of a wall of a metallurgical vessel. The nozzle brick has therethrough a conical opening defined by a conical inner surface. A casing to be inserted into the conical opening has a truncated conical shape including a conical outer surface and an axially extending flow through opening. The conical opening and the casing have coaxial center axes, and the conical inner and outer surfaces extend at equal angles of inclination to such axes. The conical inner surface is jacketed with a thin metal shell having a conical shape with the same inclination as that of the conical inner and outer surfaces.

Abstract: A refractory plate used as a stationary and/or as a movable closure plate in a sliding closure unit for discharging molten metal from a metallurgical vessel includes a refractory plate body having parallel opposite planar surfaces. A first discharge opening extends through the body between the parallel surfaces and is used for initial operation. At least one other discharge opening extends through the body between the parallel surfaces and is sealingly closed by a stopper plug of refractory material. Upon erosion damage to the first discharge opening, such damaged opening may be closed by a stopper plug of refractory material, the stopper plug may be removed from the other discharge opening, and the plate may be reversed such that the other discharge opening then is employed for further operation of the plate.

Abstract: A gas scavenging apparatus for a metallurgical vessel containing molten metal includes a frusto-conical refractory inner scavenging block inserted in the refractory lining of the vessel and having a smaller end surface facing the molten metal and a larger base end directed away from the molten metal. A frusto-conical refractory outer scavenging block is embedded within a mounting brick positioned outwardly of the inner scavenging block. The outer scavenging block has a smaller end surface smaller than and facing the larger base end of the inner scavenging block and a larger base end directed away from the inner scavenging block. The larger base end of the inner scavenging block has an annular end surface extending generally radially outwardly away from the smaller end surface of the outer scavenging block and resting on the mounting brick. Scavenging gas is passed through the outer scavenging block and then through the inner scavenging block to the molten metal.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying gas through the wall of a metallurgical container includes a fireproof refractory brick having a free inner end adapted to be exposed to the interior of the metallurgical container, an outer end opposite the inner end and a peripheral area extending between the outer and inner ends. A metal cover surrounds the peripheral area. A gas connection supplies gas to the outer end of the brick. Gas passages extend from the outer end of the brick to the inner end of the brick to supply gas to the interior of the metallurgical container. These gas passages are in the form of at least one arrangement of a fireproof ceramic fiber material extending between the outer and inner ends of the brick.

Abstract: A closure element of a slide closure includes a refractory plate having a sliding surface, peripheral edges and at least one flow passage extending through the refractory plate from the sliding surface to an opposite surface spaced therefrom. A metallic sheath partially encompasses the refractory plate and includes an edge portion embracing the peripheral edges of the refractory plate about the entire periphery thereof and a bottom portion adjacent the opposite surface of the refractory plate. The bottom portion of the metallic sheath has formed therein a plurality of openings exposing therethrough a plurality of surface areas of the opposite surface of the refractory plate. The plurality of openings are separated from each other and from the edge portion of the metallic sheath by a plurality of strips which thus form the bottom portion.

Abstract: A three-plate slide valve closure includes an upper stationary plate fixed beneath an outlet in a liquid melt container, a lower stationary plate positioned at a location spaced from the upper stationary plate, and a slide plate mounted between the upper and lower stationary plates for sliding movement between open and closed positions. The upper stationary plate, the slide plate and the lower stationary plate have extending therethrough first, second and third flow-through openings, respectively, which are aligned when the slide plate is in the open position. At least the upper inlet portion of the third flow-through opening, adjacent the slide plate, has a dimension in the direction of movement of the slide plate which is at least twice as great as the dimension of the second flow-through opening in such direction of movement.