Abstract: A method and system for the copper anode refining is provided in which coherent jet technology is employed to heat the molten blister copper and/or melt scrap copper charges using a melting flame, oxidize the sulfur in the molten blister copper, and reduce the oxygen in the molten blister copper using top-blown coherent jet gas streams from one or more multi-functional, coherent jet lance assemblies. The present system and method employs a microprocessor-based controller operatively controlling the flow of an oxygen-containing gas, an inert gas, a reducing agent and a fuel to the coherent jet lance. The disclosed copper anode refining system and method greatly improves copper production while lowering oxidation /reduction cycle times and minimizing NOx emissions.

Abstract: A method and system for the copper anode refining is provided in which coherent jet technology is employed to heat the molten blister copper and/or melt scrap copper charges using a melting flame, oxidize the sulfur in the molten blister copper, and reduce the oxygen in the molten blister copper using top-blown coherent jet gas streams from one or more multi-functional, coherent jet lance assemblies. The present system and method employs a microprocessor-based controller operatively controlling the flow of an oxygen-containing gas, an inert gas, a reducing agent and a fuel to the coherent jet lance. The disclosed copper anode refining system and method greatly improves copper production while lowering oxidation/reduction cycle times and minimizing NOx emissions.

Abstract: A method and system for the copper anode refining is provided in which coherent jet technology is employed to heat the molten blister copper and/or melt scrap copper charges using a melting flame, oxidize the sulfur in the molten blister copper, and reduce the oxygen in the molten blister copper using top-blown coherent jet gas streams from one or more multi-functional, coherent jet lance assemblies. The present system and method employs a microprocessor-based controller operatively controlling the flow of an oxygen-containing gas, an inert gas, a reducing agent and a fuel to the coherent jet lance. The disclosed copper anode refining system and method greatly improves copper production while lowering oxidation/reduction cycle times and minimizing NOx emissions.

Abstract: A stream of hot oxygen is formed by providing a duct and a fuel lance movable axially within the duct, flowing gaseous fuel out of the lance into the duct, mixing it in the duct with gaseous oxidant, flowing the mixture out of the duct into an atmosphere which is hot enough that it ignites the mixture without aid of an ignition source other than said atmosphere, and combusting said mixture in a flame that does not extend into said duct; then moving the lance so its fuel outlet approaches the duct exit orifice so that the base of said flame moves inside said duct to the fuel outlet; and then moving the lance to draw the fuel outlet and the flame attached thereto away from the exit orifice into the duct; and increasing the flow rate of gaseous oxidant in said duct, so that combustion of fuel within the duct heats uncombusted oxygen which emerges as a stream of hot oxidant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming internally shrouded supersonic coherent jets comprising an inert gas, such as pure argon and argon/oxygen mixtures. This method and apparatus can be employed to produce low-carbon steels with a top lance in basic oxygen steelmaking.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming internally shrouded supersonic coherent jets comprising an inert gas, such as pure argon and argon/oxygen mixtures. This method and apparatus can be employed to produce low-carbon steels with a top lance in basic oxygen steelmaking.

Abstract: A stream of hot oxygen is formed by providing a duct and a fuel lance movable axially within the duct, flowing gaseous fuel out of the lance into the duct, mixing it in the duct with gaseous oxidant, flowing the mixture out of the duct into an atmosphere which is hot enough that it ignites the mixture without aid of an ignition source other than said atmosphere, and combusting said mixture in a flame that does not extend into said duct; then moving the lance so its fuel outlet approaches the duct exit orifice so that the base of said flame moves inside said duct to the fuel outlet; and then moving the lance to draw the fuel outlet and the flame attached thereto away from the exit orifice into the duct; and increasing the flow rate of gaseous oxidant in said duct, so that combustion of fuel within the duct heats uncombusted oxygen which emerges as a stream of hot oxidant.

Abstract: A method of injecting oxygen into a melt located within a metallurgical furnace having a heated furnace atmosphere in which oxygen and fuel is injected into 1 or more nozzles having passageways of converging-diverging configuration under choked flow conditions to produce supersonic jet or jets discharged from the passageways. Fuel is injected into internal circumferential locations of the passageways so as to impart a structure to the jets being discharged that have an outer circumferential region containing a mixture of fuel and oxygen and a central region containing essentially oxygen. Such a structured jet upon discharge interacts with the furnace atmosphere to create an outer shear-mixing zone in which the outer circumferential layer mixes with the heated furnace atmosphere and auto-ignites to produce a flame envelope surrounding a supersonic jet of oxygen. The jet of oxygen and flame envelope can be directed against a melt contained within the metallurgical furnace for injection of oxygen into the melt.

Abstract: A method for refining copper wherein a stream of oxygen containing gas is provided from a lance into the headspace of a refining vessel for passage to the molten copper bath within the refining vessel, and a flame envelope is provided around and along the oxygen containing gas stream for a portion of its length, wherein the flame envelope simultaneously serves to keep accretions from forming on the lance face and serves to maintain the oxygen-containing gas stream coherent.

Abstract: A method of injecting oxygen into a melt located within a metallurgical furnace having a heated furnace atmosphere in which oxygen and fuel is injected into 1 or more nozzles having passageways of converging-diverging configuration under choked flow conditions to produce supersonic jet or jets discharged from the passageways. Fuel is injected into internal circumferential locations of the passageways so as to impart a structure to the jets being discharged that have an outer circumferential region containing a mixture of fuel and oxygen and a central region containing essentially oxygen. Such a structured jet upon discharge interacts with the furnace atmosphere to create an outer shear-mixing zone in which the outer circumferential layer mixes with the heated furnace atmosphere and auto-ignites to produce a flame envelope surrounding a supersonic jet of oxygen. The jet of oxygen and flame envelope can be directed against a melt contained within the metallurgical furnace for injection of oxygen into the melt.

Abstract: A method for producing low carbon steel wherein molten steel is decarburized in a three stage refining procedure comprising a first stage wherein oxygen is provided for decarburization enveloped in a gas shroud, a second stage wherein oxygen is provided for decarburization enveloped in a flame shroud, and a third stage wherein inert gas or oxygen and inert gas is provided enveloped in a flame shroud.

Abstract: A coherent jet lance and operating method employing two sets of ports for delivering fuel and oxidant respectively for formation of a flame envelope around one or more gas jets wherein the ports of at least one set and preferably of each set are angled outwardly on the lance face with respect to the lance axis.

Abstract: A coherent jet lance and operating method wherein the need for a lance extension is eliminated using two rings of ports to deliver respectively fuel and oxidant flame envelope gases around the primary gas jets to maintain the gas jets coherent wherein the ports of the two rings are aligned on the lance face.

Abstract: A coherent jet lance and operating method employing two sets of ports for delivering fuel and oxidant respectively for formation of a flame envelope around one or more gas jets wherein the ports of at least one set and preferably of each set are angled outwardly on the lance face with respect to the lance axis.

Abstract: A coherent jet lance and operating method wherein the need for a lance extension is eliminated using two rings of ports to deliver respectively fuel and oxidant flame envelope gases around the primary gas jets to maintain the gas jets coherent wherein the ports of the two rings are aligned on the lance face.

Abstract: A coherent jet lance and operating method wherein the need for a lance extension is eliminated using a single ring of ports to deliver flame envelope gases around the primary gas jets to maintain the gas jets coherent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing one or more coherent jets from a lance wherein liquid fuel is provided into a recession on the lance face along with motive gas, and is used to generate a flame shroud to maintain jet coherency.

Abstract: A metal refining method particularly useful with a basic oxygen steelmaking process, wherein during an initial period, refining oxygen is provided into the furnace headspace surrounded by a shroud comprising oxygen and inert gas, and during a subsequent period refining oxygen is provided into the furnace headspace surrounded by a flame shroud.

Abstract: A lance which may be used to generate a longer coherent gas jet having inflowing and outflowing coolant fluid passages which are in flow communication and which straddle the flame envelope fluid passages, all of which are coaxial with the main passageway.

Abstract: An arrangement wherein a coherent jet is established proximate to a powder injection system and the coherent jet not only provides for gas delivery but also serves to improve the efficiency of the delivery of powder from the powder injection system.