Abstract: Molten steel is continually and directly made within the bath of a metallurgical furnace by the rapid reduction of iron compounds through their reaction with carbonaceous fines continually injected below the molten metal surface. Heat for the process in one instance is supplied mainly by electric arc. The iron compounds may preferably also be injected. Flux materials are also continually fed to the surface, and molten steel and slag are continually tapped from the bath. In order to augment the economics of the process, the carrier gas for injection may be a reducing gas, such as steam-reformed natural gas, and the furnace off-gas may be used to preheat and partially reduce the feed compounds.

Abstract: A versatile steelmaking method and apparatus therefor including both electric-arc furnace and basic-oxygen furnace capabilities. Iron and steel scrap is charged to an open top metallurgical vessel and there preheated, if desired, with a flame, such as fuel-oxygen or fuel-air flame. Thereafter an electrode-bearing vessel roof may be placed upon the open top vessel and the steel charged therein further heated and melted to a desired degree by means of electrically generated heat in the electrodes. The vessel and heated charge may then be advanced to an oxygen blowing station where molten iron and basic slag-making additives may be charged to the vessel. A removable vessel extension is placed upon the top vessel and the total charge refined into steel by means of a high velocity stream of high purity oxygen passing from an oxygen lance into the charge.