Abstract: A water-cooled cover for a treatment vessel for metal melts, wherein the preferably refractorily lined treatment vessel serves in particular for the treatment of liquid metal, in particular of steel, by blowing in solids or gases, or inductive stirring at atmosphere or in vacuum. The cover is formed dome-like, wherein the ratio of inner clear height (h) to inner clear diameter (D) of a flange of the cover is at least 0.2. On the side facing the metal melt, an inner wall of the cover is formed substantially smooth and free of grooves and gaps. Cooling channels arranged on the outer side of the inner wall so that the surface temperature of the inner wall is maintained at a temperature of maximum 350° C.

Abstract: The Inventive System disclosed herein relates to an improved system for extracting metals from ore.

Abstract: An apparatus for injecting gas into a metallurgical vessel supporting a metallurgical process is disclosed. The apparatus includes a gas flow duct, an elongate central structure extending within the gas flow duct, and a plurality of flow directing swirl vanes disposed about the central tubular structure adjacent the forward end of the duct. The flow directing vanes are formed with internal water flow passages for flow of cooling water internally along each vane. The elongate central structure is formed with a cooling water supply passage for supply of cooling water to the internal water flow passages in the vanes and a water return passage for outflow of cooling water which has passed through the internal water flow passages in the vanes.

Abstract: An apparatus for injecting particulate and/or gaseous material into a metallurgical vessel is disclosed. The apparatus includes a duct through which to inject the material, inner and outer water inflow and outflow passages extending through a wall of the duct and an annular duct tip disposed at the forward end of the duct. The duct tip is of annular formation and includes an annular inner end component, an annular outer end component, and an annular central component located between the inner and outer components. The duct tip also includes a plurality of radially extending dividers to divide a space between the outer end component and the central component into discrete radial passages to serve as the internal water flow passages of the tip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing a furnace melt are provided. Preferably, the method and apparatus provide for the safe and efficient access to the molten metal melt in a furnace. According to one aspect of the invention used in a steel making process in an electric arc furnace, a furnace aperture plug is reciprocated through a furnace aperture, the furnace aperture plug is retracted from the furnace aperture, access is provided to the molten metal melt in the furnace, and the furnace aperture plug is reinserted into the furnace aperture when the access is concluded.

Abstract: A gas supply system for a side blowing and/or bottom blowing metallurgical furnace with at least one tuyere which is mounted in the side wall and/or in the bottom of the furnace, wherein gas is conveyed through a line of the gas supply system to the tuyere and through the tuyere to the interior of the metallurgical furnace and emerges there in the form of bubbles. The gas supply system has an inflow restrictor which is assigned to the tuyere or is positioned upstream of the tuyere and reduces or interrupts the gas supply to the interior of the furnace at equal intervals of time.

Abstract: An inlet snorkel for a degassing vessel operating by the RH process. The inlet snorkel is for a degassing vessel for metallurgical melting using the RH process. Gas injection pipes through which inert gas can be introduced into the inlet snorkel are distributed along the axial length of the inlet snorkel, and groove-like guide shapes are provided upstream of these gas injection pipes so as to project into the clear cross section of the inlet snorkel.

Abstract: A composite sparger for use in elevated temperature and corrosive environments. The composite sparger is formed from a substrate tube with a thermally conductive interlayer on its surfaces exposed to the reactor environment. The thermally conductive interlayer is protected with a corrosion resistant layer. The corrosion resistant layer protects the interlayer from the corrosive environment of the reactor vessel and the interlayer material conducts heat away from the corrosion resistant layer to prevent combustion of the corrosion resistant layer. The interlayer material and corrosion resistant material may be selected so as to provide for sufficient thermal conduction to prevent combustion of the corrosion resistant material.

Abstract: Disclosed are degassers, couplings, impeller shafts and impellers for use in molten metal. One such coupling transfers gas into an impeller shaft, the coupling having a smooth, tapered internal surface to align with a corresponding surface on the impeller shaft and help prevent gas leakage and to assist in preventing damage to the impeller shaft. Improved impellers for shearing and mixing gas are also disclosed, as is a degasser including one or more of these components.

Abstract: A novel blaster nozzle (10) used for assisting in the pneumatic removal of cloggings and cakings during the transport of particulate matter through an enclosure housing is set such that it can be removed and replaced from outside the enclosure housing. The blaster nozzle includes a nozzle head (12) having an orifice for the conduction of high-pressure fluid, wherein the nozzle head is composed of a refractory concrete having from about 4-20% by volume metal fibers therein. The blaster nozzle also includes a flange member (14) connected to the nozzle head and a connection tube (18) extends from the flange member for connecting the blaster nozzle to an air cannon.

Abstract: A composite sparger for use in elevated temperature and corrosive environments. The composite sparger is formed from a thermally conductive non-combustible metal substrate. The surfaces of the conductive non-combustible metal exposed to the reactor environment are protected with a corrosion resistant layer. The corrosion resistant layer protects the substrate material from the corrosive environment of the reactor vessel and the substrate material conducts heat away from the corrosion resistant layer to prevent combustion of the corrosion resistant layer. The substrate material and corrosion resistant material may be selected so as to provide for sufficient thermal conduction to prevent combustion of the corrosion resistant material.

Abstract: A device for dispersing gas into molten metal includes an impeller, a drive shaft having a gas-transfer passage therein, and a first end and a second end, and a drive source. The second end of the drive shaft is connected to the impeller and the first end is connected to the drive source. The impeller includes a first portion and a second portion with a plurality of cavities. The first portion covers the second portion to help prevent gas from escaping to the surface without entering the cavities and being mixed with molten metal as the impeller rotates. When gas is transferred through the gas-transfer passage, it exits through the gas-release opening(s) in the bottom of the impeller. At least some of the gas enters the cavities where it is mixed with the molten metal being displaced by the impeller. Also disclosed are impellers that can be used to practice the invention.

Abstract: A system for adding gas to and transferring molten metal from a vessel and into one or more of a ladle, ingot mold, launder, feed die cast machine or other structure is disclosed. The system includes at least a vessel for containing molten metal, an overflow (or dividing) wall, a device or structure, such as a molten metal pump, for generating a stream of molten metal, and one or more gas-release devices.

Abstract: Device for manufacturing a metal foam. The device includes at least two feed pipes for introducing gas. The at least two feed pipes are arranged next to one another. Each of the at least two feed pipes project into a foamable melt. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to apparatuses and methods for use in metal melting, refining and/or other processing, such as, for example, steel making in an electric arc furnace (EAF), and more particularly, to improved burner panels and related methods for the introduction of various energy sources, such as, for example, chemical energy and particulates.

Abstract: A method of preparing bismuth oxide and an apparatus therefor are disclosed. The method includes: melting bismuth metal; transporting the melted bismuth metal to an open first reactor and oxidizing the melted bismuth metal while stirring at a temperature of 300-650° C.; and transporting bismuth oxide and un-reacted material to a closed second reactor through a screw and oxidizing the bismuth oxide and un-reacted material while rotating the closed second reactor at a temperature of 300-600° C. with a supply of air or oxygen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for the continuous production of steel using metal charge material (8) that is preheated in an upper part of a melting vessel (2), is then melted in a lower part (9) of the melting vessel l(2) with fossil fuels (23) and the molten material (16) is continuously discharged into a treatment vessel (3) in which the desired steel quality is adjusted while gases (22) are introduced into the melting vessel (2) from the exterior to afterburn the melting exhaust gases (13). The aim of the invention is to improve the aforementioned afterburn step while at the same time reducing oxidation of the iron-containing charge materials.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a gas cupola for melting a charging material efficiently by a combustion flame of a combustion burner. The gas cupola includes a furnace body having a melting chamber 10 and a molten metal discharge port 11 for discharging the molten metal and a plurality of combustion burners 4 forming a combustion flame 41. The combustion burner 4 melts the charging material 2 in the melting chamber 10 by ejecting the combustion flame 41 to the charging material 2 in the melting chamber 10. Each combustion burner 4 generates a hollow shaped melting portion 42 at the charging material 2 of the melting chamber 10 by the combustion flame 41 ejected from each combustion burner 4. In the cross sectional view of the furnace body 1 taken along a horizontal direction, the combustion burners 4 are arranged so that the adjacently positioned two hollow shaped melting portions 42 overlap with each other.

Abstract: The invention features a molten metal flow powered device including a housing, a rotor rotatably supported by the housing, the rotor being configured and arranged to be powered by a stream of molten metal discharged from a pump, and a gas transfer conduit having an upper end adapted to engage a gas source and a lower end supported by the housing from which gas is fed to the rotor. The invention also features a pumping and degassing system that includes the pump and a source of pressurized gas. The system can also include a machine for directing flux into the pressurized gas, for passage along the gas transfer conduit to the rotor.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the production and the melting of liquid pig iron or of liquid steel intermediate products in a melt-down gasifier, with the introduction of oxygen-containing gas streams through oxygen nozzles into the solid bed. At least one oxygen nozzle has a single gas supply and introduces at least two gas streams. Using plural gas streams from a nozzle reduces the risk of fluidization of the solid bed because the number of gas raceways in materials in the gasifier is increased.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to apparatuses and methods for use in metal melting, refining and/or other processing, such as, for example, steel making in an electric arc furnace (EAF), and more particularly, to improved cooling systems and related methods for use in an extended burner panel.

Abstract: A process for producing foamed aluminum in space comprising the steps of: heating aluminum until it is molten; applying the force of gravity to the molten aluminum; injecting gas into the molten aluminum to produce molten foamed aluminum; and allowing the molten foamed aluminum to cool to below melting temperature. The apparatus for carrying out this invention comprises: a furnace which rotates to simulate the force of gravity and heats the aluminum until it is molten; a door on the furnace, which is opened for charging the aluminum into the furnace, closed for processing and opened again for removal of the foamed aluminum; a gas injection apparatus for injecting gas into the molten aluminum within the furnace; and an extraction apparatus adjacent the door for removing the foamed aluminum from the furnace.

Abstract: The invention relates to operating a shaft furnace, in particular a cupola furnace, for melting starting material, wherein the shaft furnace is heated by combustion of a solid fuel and wherein an injection gas, which has an oxygen portion of more than 21%, is injected into the shaft furnace. The shaft furnace is heated by means of at least one burner, wherein a gaseous or liquid fuel and a gaseous oxidant, which encompasses an oxygen portion of more than 21%, is supplied to the burner.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for producing shot from molten material, in which two or more sprays of inert gas, such as an upper or primary spray followed by one or more lower or secondary sprays, are used to break apart large molten droplets into shot as the molten material is dropped from a crucible orifice. The upper or primary gas feed in one application acts to initially break the stream or droplets into initial droplets of a lesser size or to flatten the droplets, with the second spray then breaking up the intermediate droplets into yet smaller shot particles to be cooled and collected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing characteristics of a furnace melt are provided. Preferably, the method and apparatus provide for the safe and efficient testing of metal temperature and composition of molten metal during the melt cycle of the metal. According to one aspect of the invention used in a steel making process in an electric arc furnace, a furnace probe is reciprocated through a furnace probe plug aperture, the furnace probe is retracted from the furnace probe plug aperture, a furnace probe is inserted through the furnace probe plug aperture, the furnace probe is retracted from the aperture, and the furnace probe aperture plug is inserted into the furnace probe plug aperture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing a furnace melt are provided. Preferably, the method and apparatus provide for the safe and efficient access to the molten metal melt in a furnace. According to one aspect of the invention used in a steel making process in an electric arc furnace, a furnace aperture plug is reciprocated through a furnace aperture, the furnace aperture plug is retracted from the furnace aperture, access is provided to the molten metal melt in the furnace, and the furnace aperture plug is reinserted into the furnace aperture when the access is concluded.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for injecting gas into a vessel. The apparatus may include a gas flow duct and a central body within a forward end region of the duct. The central body and the gas flow duct form an annular nozzle for the discharge of gas from the duct. A plurality of flow directing vanes are disposed about the central body to impart swirl to a gas flow through the nozzle. The flow directing vanes have substantially straight leading end portions radiating outwardly from the central body and extending along the duct. The vanes also have substantially helical trailing end portions extending helically about the central body toward the front end of the duct and transition portions joining the leading end portions to the trailing end portions. The transition portions are shaped so as to merge smoothly with both the leading end portions and the trailing end portions and to smoothly and progressively change shape between them.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to damp or suppress oscillations (?back-attack? effect) in sidewall or base blowing converters, used in particular to produce carbon steel or stainless steel. To achieve this, the gas supply system (3) for the converter comprises an inflow restrictor device (7), which is positioned upstream of or associated with the jets (5) and which periodically reduces or interrupts the gas supply to the interior of the furnace.

Abstract: A process for producing steel and for obtaining slag having a high content of additional elements such as vanadium in a two-step process. Liquid pig iron is initially blown onto a high-grade slag at a lower temperature, the slag being further processed separately after tapping, while the pig iron is supplied to at least one additional converter in which it is blown at a higher temperature to form steel. A high-grade slag is generated while shortening the steel production process using the process in that the intermediate metal product that is tapped from the first converter is subjected to a heating and/or holding phase before being supplied to the second converter.

Abstract: An impeller for dispersing gas into molten metal includes a rectangular prism body having upper and lower faces and four side walls. The body has an opening extending through the upper and lower faces and defines a hub around the opening on the upper face. The impeller further includes a plurality of elongate grooves extending radially outwardly from the hub.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary device for dispersing a gas in a molten metal. The device comprises a hollow shaft at one end of which is attached a rotor. The rotor has a roof and a base which are spaced apart and connected by a plurality of vanes. A compartment is defined between each adjacent pair of vanes and the roof and the base, and each compartment has an inlet and first and second outlets. A flow path is defined through the shaft into the inlets of the compartments and out of the first and second outlets. Each first outlet is disposed radially outwardly of the respective inlet and arranged to disperse gas laterally of the rotor in use, and each second outlet is disposed in the roof of the rotor and arranged to disperse gas upwardly from the rotor in use.

Abstract: A single treatment compartment has a liquid metal inlet and outlet and a connection to a liquid metal-input trough. A treatment gas is injected into the liquid metal arranged in at least one sidewall of a ladles. The liquid metal inlet and outlet have an orifice positioned so as to be entirely underneath a level of the liquid metal during the treatment, in order to prevent entry of ambient air into the compartment during treatment. The treatment compartment includes an upstream part and a downstream part. The gas injection is accomplished in the upstream part. The compartment further has a filter located in the downstream part for degassing and filtering the liquid metal. Injection and filtration occur in close proximity to one another and within the same single treatment compartment.

Abstract: A gas purge device for a metallurgical melting vessel includes a conically shaped ceramic body (2) in contact at its top side with heat contained in the melting vessel. The ceramic body has a static external element and an internal element axially movable therein. A pneumatic drive axially moves the internal element to and fro relative to the external element between a closed position and an open position. The spring force of a spring retains the internal element in the closed position. The device furthermore includes a gas-tight enclosed volume arranged at the bottom side of the ceramic body the volume being connected to a gas supply duct for introduction of purge gas. A deformable membrane is connected to the internal element with the pressure difference between the purge gas pressure prevailing in the gas-tight enclosed volume and the ambient pressure acting upon the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an industrial furnace for smelting metals, in particular nonferrous metals, and the respective nozzle element.

Abstract: The invention features a molten metal flow powered device including a housing, a rotor rotatably supported by the housing, the rotor being configured and arranged to be powered by a stream of molten metal discharged from a pump, and a gas transfer conduit having an upper end adapted to engage a gas source and a lower end supported by the housing from which gas is fed to the rotor. The invention also features a pumping and degassing system that includes the pump and a source of pressurized gas. The system can also include a machine for directing flux into the pressurized gas, for passage along the gas transfer conduit to the rotor.

Abstract: An apparatus for injecting gas into a vessel includes a gas flow duct which receives hot gas through a gas inlet structure at a rear end of the duct. The forward end of the duct has an annular duct with an internal cooling water passage. Cooling water supply and return passages are formed within the wall of the duct such that water flows to and from a tip through the supply and return passages. The tip includes a hollow shell and a partitioning structure that has a ring and a plurality of circumferential flanges that project outwardly from the ring to the shell to form a series of water flow galleries, each extending circumferentially around the tip and interconnected for flow of cooling water sequentially through the galleries from the water supply passages to the water return passage. The circumferential flanges also serve as buttress supports for the shell.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing silver nano-particle material. The apparatus includes a furnace containing a crucible for vaporizing a precursor material, as well as, a conduit disposed in perpendicular to the crucible. An inlet end of the conduit is open to the mixing region created between the conduit and the crucible. A process gas supply is also operatively associated with the mixing region.

Abstract: A degasser (10) for molten metal with a microporous plate (11). The microporous has at least one internal passageway (13) and an interface tube (12) attached to the microporous plate in flow communication with the internal passageway.

Abstract: The present invention features a multi-functional pump for pumping molten metal, which includes a base that is submerged in molten metal having at least two impeller chambers. The base includes one or more inlet openings and one or more outlet openings. Each outlet opening leads from one of the impeller chambers. The invention enables the impeller to be moved to a position to rotate in either impeller chamber or while straddling impeller chambers. This enables the pump to have the versatility to operate in a circulation mode; a transfer mode; two or more circulation modes; two or more transfer modes; and a combination of transfer and circulation modes. The impeller chambers can be stacked over each other and the impeller can be moved vertically in and between impeller chambers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary device for dispersing a gas in a molten metal. The device comprises a hollow shaft at one end of which is attached a rotor. The rotor has a roof and a base which are spaced apart and connected by a plurality of vanes. A compartment is defined between each adjacent pair of vanes and the roof and the base, and each compartment has an inlet and first and second outlets. A flow path is defined through the shaft into the inlets of the compartments and out of the first and second outlets. Each first outlet is disposed radially outwardly of the respective inlet and arranged to disperse gas laterally of the rotor in use, and each second outlet is disposed in the roof of the rotor and arranged to disperse gas upwardly from the rotor in use.

Abstract: Apparatus for injecting gas into a vessel including a gas flow duct 31 which receives hot gas through a gas inlet structure 32 at a rear end of the duct. An elongate central structure 33 extends throughout the length of duct 31 and carries a series of vanes 34 for imparting swirl to the gas flow exiting the forward end of the duct. The forward end of the duct 31 has an internally water cooled tip 36 and water flows to and from tip 36 through annular passages 43, 44 in the wall of duct 31. Vanes 34 are mounted on central structure 33 so as to extend to forward ends disposed within the duct tip 36 and are dimensioned such that during operation of the apparatus their forward ends are engaged and supported by the internally water cooled duct tip 36.

Abstract: A system for producing a metal foam comprises a bath containing a molten metal, a rotating shaft or impeller extending through the base of the bath into, and submerged in the molten metal, and a gas discharge nozzle provided on the submerged end of the shaft. The opposite end of the shaft is connected to a gas supply line and the shaft is rotated with a motor. A seal is provided at the opening in the base of the bath for preventing leakage of the molten metal there-through.

Abstract: A molten metal pump including a pump base with an inlet and outlet, a mixing impeller chamber for mixing gas and molten metal, a pumping impeller chamber for pumping molten metal. First and second impeller members supported by a shaft are adapted to rotate in mixing and pumping chambers respectively. The impeller members may be integrally formed of a single impeller or separate impellers on one or more shafts. A gas passageway extends from a gas source to the mixing chamber in the base. A gas dispersement pump includes a base with an impeller chamber and inlet and an outlet. An impeller is mounted to a shaft and adapted to be rotated in the impeller chamber. A gas passageway extends from a gas source to a gas outlet proximate to the impeller chamber. A gas dispersement member of porous refractory material is adapted to disperse gas from the gas passageway.

Abstract: The present invention describes an apparatus and a process for in-line substantially continuous degassing of aluminium and/or aluminium alloys, in absence of chlorine and through the injection of at least one metal halide salt that includes a halogen and water and an inert gas, in a transfer trough before casting.

Abstract: A conveying system comprising elements for conveying lumpy, particularly hot, conveying stock and a cover for shielding the conveying stock. Disclosed are measures for inerting the conveying stock. A combined system encompasses a reduction plant for reducing oxides in a continuous process and processing unit for producing liquid metal in a discontinuous process. The reduction product is deliverable from the reduction plant to the processing unit. A method for coupling a reduction method used for reducing oxides in a continuous process and a method used for producing liquid metal in a discontinuous process. A reduction product from the reduction method is fed to the liquid metal production method for processing.

Abstract: A gas injection tube includes a first end adapted to connect to a reactive gas source and a second end. A tube base attaches to the second end of the gas injection tube. The gas injection tube includes a passageway and the tube base includes a channel. The passageway communicates with the channel to provide gas to a molten metal stream traveling through the channel.

Abstract: A method for the gas atomisation of melts comprises delivering of molten material into an atomising vessel (3); impinging the molten material, with a jet of heated atomising gas; and delivering the subsequently solidified, atomised particles of the formerly molten material suspended in the atomising gas to a cyclone (8) for transfer to a receiving vessel (12); wherein gas extracted from the atomising vessel (3) is cooled from its extraction temperature and then at least a proportion of this cooled gas, is re-circulated and re-introduced into the atomising vessel (3). The invention also includes apparatus for carrying out the above defined method.

Abstract: An apparatus for injecting gas into a metallurgical vessel supporting a metallurgical process is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a gas flow duct, an elongate central structure extending within the gas flow duct, and a plurality of flow directing swirl vanes disposed about the central tubular structure adjacent the forward end of the duct. The flow directing vanes are formed with internal water flow passages for flow of cooling water internally along each vane and the elongate central structure is formed with a cooling water supply passage for supply of cooling water to the internal water flow passages in the vanes and a water return passage for outflow of cooling water which has passed through the internal water flow passages in the vanes.

Abstract: A device for releasing gas into molten metal includes a base having a discharge. The discharge has a first section including a first cross-sectional area and a second section including a second cross-sectional area, wherein the first section is upstream of the second section and the first cross-sectional area is smaller than the second cross-sectional area. A gas-release opening is positioned so that it can release gas into one or more of the first section or the second section. As the molten metal moves from the first cross-sectional area to the second cross-sectional area gas is released into the molten metal and the molten metal flow helps to draw the gas into the flow, thereby lowering the pressure required to release gas into the molten metal. Metal-transfer conduits other than a discharge incorporated in a pump base are also disclosed, as are pumps including either a discharge or other metal-transfer conduit according to the invention.

Abstract: An in-line deep box treatment of molten metal wherein, instead of gaseous Cl2, a solid salt reactant containing a halide salt (e.g., MgCl2) as one of its components may be injected into the molten metal along with an inert gas (typically argon) through the existing degasser impellor. The salt flux may be metered into the inert gas stream at a controlled rate. A salt injector flux tank may be retrofitted to current rotary degassing equipments without requiring a specialized rotor design or changes in the degasser unit design. Using the halide salt-based solid flux, the benefits of alkali, alkaline earth, and inclusion removal may be achieved without the industrial hygiene, environmental, and safety issues associated with storing and using the gaseous and hazardous Cl2 during molten metal degassing.