Abstract: A composition for use in fluidizing accumulated pit scrap in ingot soaking pits is provided which contains from about 38 to about 56 wt. % SiO.sub.2, from about 2 to about 4 wt. % C, and from about 38 to about 56 wt. % FeO. A method is also provided according to which an effective amount of the above composition is added to the pit and the pit maintained at a temperature and for a time sufficient to fluidize the accumulated pit scrap. The fluidized pit scrap is then removed by drainage or mechanical means.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for punching the tuyeres of a converter with a mechanical puncher mounted upon a carriage running on rails. Light intercepting plates encoded by light transmission holes are disposed opposite each tuyere. Light is shone towards the light intercepting plates and detected on the opposite side thereof by photoelectric elements the outputs of which are coupled to a digital processor which controls the speed and position of the carriage. The mechanical puncher has two cylinders each of which drives two punching rods to successively punch the tuyeres. If it is impossible to punch a tuyere with the mechanical puncher were moving in one direction, the position of the puncher is shifted by one tuyere to start the punching again in the opposite direction.

Abstract: Slag deposited on the bottom of a steel making furnace, especially a soaking pit for steel ingots, is difficult to remove. To enable this to be done while the furnace is hot, it is now proposed to supply a substance, e.g. ferro-silicon, which lowers the melting point of the slag, and a substance which reacts exothermically to initiate melting of the slag. When the slag is sufficiently liquefied, it is removed by means of a mechanical grab.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing used refractory lining or slag or both from the inner wall of an elongated vessel. The apparatus includes a cutting disc movably mounted on a guide mechanism which may be fixably located within the vessel. In accordance with the inventive technique, one or more recesses is formed within the lining extending from the surface thereof to the wall of the vessel.

Abstract: In an apparatus for punching the tuyeres of a converter for smelting of copper or nickel, the apparatus including a carrier frame supported by wheels and which is capable of moving on the working platform located adjacent to the converter, the carrier frame mounting a plurality of punch rods which can reciprocatingly extend into respective tuyeres to remove deposits therein. An electric motor is employed to drive the carrier frame and an electrical control system controls the operation of the electric motor and thus the movement of the carrier frame so that the correct positioning of the punch rods with respect to the tuyeres on a converter can be automatically achieved.

Abstract: A mechanical punching device for punching the tuyeres of a converter properly independently of the angle of inclination of the converter. Link mechanisms, each having two turning arms, are provided on both sides of a carriage with the two turning arms being connected together by the end shaft of the link drive device. The end shaft is a link drive device movable vertically so that the distance between one of the supporting shafts which serves as a fulcrum and one of the holding shafts of the mechanical puncher on the side of the punching rod is shorter than the distance between the other supporting shaft and the other holding shaft. The holding shafts slide along guide slots formed in the side wall of the carriage. The angle of inclination and horizontal and vertical positions of the mechanical puncher are thereby changed with a single operation of the link drive device.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for and a method of continuously filtering and optionally degassing molten copper and otherwise extracting impurities therefrom comprising disposable porous ceramic foam filtering means and means for supplying a deoxidizing or cleaning gas advantageously disposed within a chamber containing a flowing stream of molten copper.

Abstract: An apparatus for deskulling tundishes comprises a support for holding a tundish to be deskulled in upright or inverted position and an impact hammer mounted on a carriage and movable longitudinally and transversely relative to the tundish whereby the latter can be deskulled. The tundish, when deskulled, is tilted to tip the skull bricks into a pit.

Abstract: An automated installation for punching and cleaning converter tuyeres for use in non-ferrous pyrometallurgy. The invention employs a travel unit fixed either to the converter housing permits movement of the punching unit relative to the tuyeres and, consequently, piercing of tuyeres at the converter. The unit consists of a punching rod slidable along the axis for introducing the punching end-piece of the punching rod into the tuyeres and a car securing the opposite end of the punching rod. The car resting on the rail is moved along by a driving unit. The drive mechanism of the travel unit has at least one power cylinder located transversally with respect to the rail, whereas on the extended end of the piston rod of this cylinder is a carriage with at least one pair of pull rods is mounted being coupled with the rod in an articulated way.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for cleaning metallurgical vessels such as slag pots, ladles and the like by inducing vibration into such vessel from a housing clamped to said vessel and containing a vibratory means such as rotating eccentric weights.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing solids such as iron oxide pellets and fines from the rotating water seal trough of an annular material cooler by periodically operating an air ejector pump, which is suspended in the trough and operated at predetermined intervals and for a predetermined time; the ejector pump has associated with it a sensing apparatus both being pivotally mounted and suspended within the trough; an abnormal build-up of pellets and fines in the trough or large foreign bodies within the trough is sensed by the sensing means which actuates emergency means to override the normal pump operating cycle and maintain the pump operating and simultaneously alerting personnel to the emergency condition.

Abstract: A device for contour cutting of metal plates comprises a cutting table for supporting horizontally plates to be contour cut, a contour cutting unit movable along the cutting table, and scrap receiving means for receiving the cut scrap beneath the cutting table. The scrap receiving means is movable by drive means in relation to the cutting table substantially in parallel to the moving path of the contour cut unit and in the moving direction thereof. The extension of the scrap receiving surface in a plane parallel to the supporting surface of the cutting table is larger than the extension in the same plane of the fall zone of cut scrap below the contour cutting unit, and the drive means is controlled to adjust the movement of the scrap receiving means according to the movement of the contour cutting unit in such a way that the fall zone of the cut scrap during the entire contour cutting operation will be maintained in a position within the borders of the scrap receiving surface.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for cleaning waste gases generated in an at least partially covered movable grate-type sintering line, said sintering line comprising an ignition zone, a sintering zone and a burning zone, wherein waste gases generated in the burning zone are returned to the sintering zone, passed through the sinter charge and at least those waste gases emerging from the last third of the sintering zone are scrubbed after passage through the charge.

Abstract: Zinc bearing solutions are subjected to cementation in at least one fluidized bed of zinc particles which are simultaneously subjected to transverse agitation to remove impurities precipitated on the particles.

Abstract: An automatic leaching system for the hydrometallurgical production of zinc comprising a pH meter and means for detecting the feed rate of calcine. The pH meter is provided with means for automatically washing the electrodes thereof so as to be capable of continuously and automatically detecting the pH value of the slurry obtained by mixing a spent electrolyte with the calcine. The system comprises a feedback control circuit and a feed-forward control circuit in which the flow rate of the spent electrolyte supplied to the system is the manipulated variable, and the pH value of the slurry is the controlled variable. These control circuits are used for the pH control so that the pH value of the slurry can be maintained constant by controlling the flow rate of the spent electrolyte.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for sintering material are described wherein a moist sintered material is passed by a travelling grate through an ignition zone, a sintering zone, and a cooling zone with strand cooling of the sintered material being effected. The sintered material is passed through a purging zone of higher flow rate and lesser area than a subsequent initial cooling zone, followed by a final cooling zone. Cooling air from both the purging zone and the initial cooling zone is heated by the sintered material and removes dust particles therefrom. The resultant dust-laden air from the purging zone is de-dusted by conventional means, and the dust-containing heated air from the initial cooling zone is conducted to the sintering zone and forced downwardly through the moist material in the sintering zone.