Abstract: A footwear lacing apparatus can comprise a housing structure, a modular spool and a drive mechanism. The housing structure can comprising a first inlet, a second inlet, and a lacing channel extending between the first and second inlets. The modular spool can be disposed in the lacing channel and can comprise a lower plate including a shaft extending from the lower plate, and an upper plate including a drum portion. The upper plate can be releasably connected to the lower plate at a connection interface. The drive mechanism can couple with the modular spool and can be adapted to rotate the modular spool to wind or unwind a lace cable extending through the lacing channel and between the upper and lower plates of the modular spool.

Abstract: A method for operating a shaft furnace, in particular a blast furnace, is disclosed wherein at least one gas is introduced into the furnace. To achieve an acceleration of the reaction processes in the furnace, shockwaves are introduced into the furnace.

Abstract: A dispensing system is disclosed for dispensing material from multiple hoppers to a convey line. As disclosed, material is dispensed from the hoppers via operation of a variable rate feed device. The application discloses a controller device configured to utilize input from a first load cell for a first hopper and a second load cell for a second hopper to determine a mass flow rate to increase or decrease the feed rate so that the flow rate of material dispensed into the convey line matches a set mass flow rate of material. In the embodiments disclosed, the hoppers include hoppers connected in series to the convey line and hoppers connected in parallel to the convey line. The controller device determines the mass flow rate based upon input from one of the first or second load cells during a first time period and both the first and second loads cells during a second time period for different operating phases of the system.

Abstract: A raw material supply apparatus that supplies a raw material into a flash smelting furnace and supplies a first gas contributing to a reaction of the raw material into the flash smelting furnace, includes: a raw material passage that is provided out of a lance through which the first gas passes, the raw material passing through the raw material passage; and an adjuster that adjusts a distribution of the raw material by blowing a second gas to the raw material passing through the raw material passage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling suspension (8) in a suspension smelting furnace (1), to a suspension smelting furnace, and to a concentrate burner (2). The method comprises feeding additionally to pulverous solid matter (6) and additionally to reaction gas (7) reducing agent (13) into the suspension smelting furnace (1), wherein reducing agent (13) is fed in the form of a concentrated stream of reducing agent (13) through the suspension (8) in the reaction shaft (2) onto the surface (9) of the melt (10) to form a reducing zone (15) containing reducing agent (13) within the collection zone (14) of the melt (10).

Abstract: A method of operating a blast furnace comprising two or more lances that inject reducing agents from a tuyere including injecting a solid reducing agent and a flammable reducing agent from different lances; and arranging a position of an end of the lance that injects the flammable reducing agent closer to a near side in a injecting direction by more than 0 to 50 mm than a position of an end of the lance that injects the solid reducing agent.

Abstract: A fuel injection lance for an ore-smelting furnace includes a central conduit, a first conduit and a second conduit. The first and second conduits are concentric with the central conduit. A central conduit is connected to a fuel mixture. The first and second conduits are in flow communication with a gas source. The first and second conduits have gas flowing at independently controllable gas flow rates relative to the other conduit. A swirl portion has a cylindrical body with a hollow interior cylinder, and vertical and helical channels formed within the body portion. Vertical channels traverse the body portion vertically to the outer surface adjacent to the bottom surface. Helical channels traverse the outer surface in a helical pattern. Vertical channels intersect with corresponding helical channels at a predetermined angle selected to provide a desired particle distribution of a fuel injected into the furnace.

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: A multifunction injector (10, 11, 12) comprising a De Laval nozzle (20) adapted to act as a burner at subsonic or supersonic speed, combined with a plurality of nozzles (31, 32) for fuel and comburant respectively, arranged in two rings, concentric and co-axial to said De Laval nozzle (20) and externally protected by a specifically shaped protection cavity (40).

Abstract: An oxygen fueled combustion system includes a furnace having at least one burner, an oxygen supply for supplying oxygen having a predetermined purity, and a carbon based fuel supply for supplying a carbon based fuel. The oxygen and the carbon based fuel are fed into the furnace in a stoichiometric proportion to one another to limit an excess of either the oxygen or the carbon based fuel to less than 5 percent over the stoichiometric proportion. The combustion of the carbon based fuel provides a flame temperature in excess of 4500° F. The exhaust gas stream from the furnace has substantially zero nitrogen-containing combustion produced gaseous compounds from the oxidizing agent and reduced green-house gases. Substantially less carbon based fuel is required than conventional combustion systems without a loss of energy output.

Abstract: The additives, in particulate solid form, are conveyed pneumatically in a divergent stream from a pneumatic gun to impinge upon the molten iron and mix therewith. The gun is spaced above a surface of molten iron such that the pneumatically conveyed stream including the additive has a central axis which is either horizontal (or at an acute angle to the horizontal). The gun is prefereably adjustable for adjustment of the stream angle, and the stream may be either added to pouring metal or to cover a surface of the molten iron.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting the flow velocity of reaction gas and the dispersion air of pulverous solids when feeding reaction gas and finely divided solids to the reaction shaft (6) of a suspension smelting furnace for creating a controlled and adjustable suspension. Reaction gas (8) is fed into the furnace from around a finely divided solid material flow (5), so that said solids are distributed with an orientation towards the reaction gas by means of dispersion air. The flow velocity and discharge direction of the reaction gas to the reaction shaft are adjusted steplessly by means of a specially shaped adjusting member (10) moving vertically in the reaction gas channel (13) and by means of a specially shaped cooling block (12) surrounding the reaction gas channel (13) and located on the arch of the reaction shaft.

Abstract: A high-speed jet of liquid oxygen (21) with a speed higher than 100 meters per second is delivered into the tuyeres of a blast furnace of cupola furnace together with pulverised carbon. The jet reaches the opposite wall of the cavity (9) formed at the outlet of the tuyere (6) in the mass of material contained in the shaft. Supplying oxygen to the bottom of the cavity improves the burning of the remaining coal, whereby higher injection levels may be achieved. The shape of the cavity may also be altered, and, in particular, faster reactions may be achieved in the axial region of the shaft.

Abstract: A method and device is provided for the combined injection of pulverized coal and a gaseous oxidant into a crucible of a shaft furnace, especially a blast furnace, through a hot-air blast tuyere. In the region of the nozzle end of the tuyere in the crucible, the pulverized coal is injected into the hot-air blast, in the form of a hollow annular jet and the gaseous oxidant is injected inside the hollow annular jet. A lance for implementing the method comprises two coaxial tubes and a distributing unit provided with a central bore for the pulverized coal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding alloy additive and burden materials to the burden in a vertical shaft furnace working volume generally by gravity-feeding the alloy additive to the furnace tuyere for entrainment in the blast media and transfer to the burden, which improves the recovery rate of the charged additive components in the molten metal and, allows utilization of undersized materials without secondary handling and treatment of the feed materials or utilization of pneumatic feed apparatus.

Abstract: A first flow of gas (C) accompanying a flow of solid particles (S), is sent at supersonic speed into a first conduit (1) prolonged by a third conduit (8) and intersecting a second conduit (6) supplying a second flow of gas (G) which is deflected into the third conduit (8) to accompany the flow of particles (S) whose trajectory is not substantially modified, the flow of the first gas (C) being deflected, downstream of an oblique shockwave (13) into a fourth conduit (9) forming a separator nose (10) with the third conduit (8). The invention is particularly applicable to the injection, into a reaction chamber (16), of solid particles with a highly oxygenated gas (G) replacing an inert gas (C) for conveying the particles.

Abstract: Fuel and combustion gas are supplied to the blast pipes and tuyeres of a blast furnace through injection lances which have an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube is generally used to carry the fuel, while the space formed between the inner and outer tubes is used to carry the combustion gas. Such a lance can have a heat resistant tip which has a bore for forming an extension of the inner fuel supply tube, and which also has a number of helical channels disposed about the bore for forming an extension of the space between the tubes. It is advantageous to have more than one such lance in each blast pipe and to have the lances extend obliquely into the hot blast channel that is formed by the blast pipe and the tuyere.

Abstract: A blast furnace blowpipe is provided having multipe bosses for a plurality of fuel injection lances spaced around the periphery of the blowpipe.

Abstract: For the metallurgical treatment of a molten metal bath (1) in a metallurgical smelting and refining vessel (3), additive substances (43) which are capable of flow, in particular lime, are supplied in a granular to dust state, at least during a part of the refining phase, to the upper region of the inward side (15') of the vessel wall (11), distributed around the periphery thereof. At the vessel wall (11) the additive substances (43) form a barrier or protective layer which reduces the energy losses and increases the service life of the vessel (3).

Abstract: An injector for introducing particulate material into the bath of a pyrometallurgical vessel via existing tuyeres. An existing mechanical puncher may be removed and replaced with an injector adapted to be attached to the existing tuyere body so as not to disturb the existing blast air connections. The injector, including a housing spatially circumscribing an injector pipe and forming an annular space part way therewith, is inserted into the tuyere. A source of pressurized fluid is injected into the annular space keeping the tuyere open so the particulate material can be introduced through the pipe.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for post combustion of reaction gases generated in a molten iron bath above the bath by means of at least one jet of oxidizing gases, whereby energy thereby produced is transferred to the bath and whereby the or each jet of oxidizing gases is injected with a swirl through one or more tuyeres towards the surface of the bath or the or each jet of oxidizing gases is injected in the form of a hollow jet through one or more tuyeres towards the surface of the bath.

Abstract: In a process for heating within a ladle (5) steel melts (10) being covered with a slag (8) rich in iron oxides, in particular for continuous steel production processes such as, for example, the KVA-process, thereby using metallothermal heat, there is (are) during filling the ladle (5), insufflated by an inert gas via nozzles (14) provided in the bottom (12) of the receiving ladle (5) for the mixture of bath and slag a metal, such as, for example, Al, Si, their mixtures or alloys, in particular FeSi, exothermically reacting with the oxygen of the bath and with the oxygen of the slag as well as, optionally, pulverulent slag formers, such as, for example, CaO, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, MgO and/or SiO.sub.2.

Abstract: A method of constructing a refractory brick lining on a bottom tuyere plate for a vessel for refining or otherwise treating a metal melt comprises the improvement of constructing the lining in an imperforate manner on the bottom tuyere plate and then drilling tuyere ducts in the lining. The brick lining is preferably constructed with the bottom tuyere plate in an upright position and the ducts are then drilled while the plate and the lining are still upright. The bottom tuyere plate is preferably mounted in an assembly frame which is itself pivotally mounted to enable the frame together with the bottom tuyere plate to be swung from a horizontal position to the upright position.

Abstract: An injection apparatus for introducing fluid material, such as a reactive element to a molten metal bath while resisting undesired oxidation. The injection apparatus consists of a body assembly having a chamber defined therein, and inlet and outlet passageways communicating with the chamber which cooperate to define a passageway therethrough. The lower end of the outlet extends below the surface of the molten metal bath. Purging gas is introduced through a gas inlet and provide a substantially purged atmosphere throughout the molten metal passageway. The atmosphere in the passageway is purged in order that the fluid material can be safely introduced into the molten bath. The injection apparatus is readily assembled and disassembled by means of a unique clamping device employed with the body assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the pyrometallurgical treatment of fine grained solids such as non-ferrous metal ore concentrates with an oxygen-containing gas wherein the solids are mixed with the gas to form a suspension which is blown through a nozzle into a reaction chamber such as a vertical melting cyclone. In the reaction chamber, the solids are brought to reaction and melted. The invention is concerned with injecting a particle stream through the reaction zone as a focused open jet having mass flow velocity of greater than 50 kg/m.sup.2 .multidot.sec and having a linear speed of more than 35 m/sec. The particle stream is ignited by the hot combustion gases thereof or by a pilot flame. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the particle stream is directed along a horizontal secant of the chamber to the opposite wall.

Abstract: A method of oxygen lancing for a copper-producing converter. An oxygen-enriched gas, such as oxygen-enriched air or pure oxygen, having a gage pressure of at least 1 kg/cm.sup.2 is blown onto the surface of a molten bath through at least one top lancing tube of the non-immersion type having a lower end located within the converter and held at a height within 0.4 m above the surface of the bath as measured when the bath is at a standstill, while air is simultaneously blown into the bath through tuyeres.

Abstract: A burner for smelting metal-bearing sulfide ores or concentrates by means of an oxygen-rich gas is disclosed. The oxygen-rich gas is introduced into a chamber so as to aspirate or eject the metal-bearing sulfide ore or concentrate. The oxygen-rich gas and sulfide concentrate are intimately admixed in a cylindrical mixing chamber and then jetted into the heated atmosphere of a smelting furnace.

Abstract: A horizontal furnace for converting nonferrous metal sulfide concentrates to a molten matte has a plurality of vertically disposed burners along the longitudinal axis of the furnace roof, the burners spaced from each other, means for introducing oxygen-rich gas to said burners, and means for introducing metal sulfide concentrates and flux into the furnace, with the spaced burners introducing the same into the hot atmosphere of the furnace as a plurality of paraboloidal suspensions whereby substantially uniform heat and mass distribution is effected over a major portion of the horizontal furnace.

Abstract: A hot-blast cupola furnace 1 has an inclined bottom 3 leading directly to a tapping conduit 4. The conduit 4 leads to a forehearth 5 having an iron discharge siphon 13, 14, 15 and two slag discharge siphons 16, 17. The forehearth 5 has an upper slag-holding part 10 and a lower iron-holding part 11, which also contains slag in its upper part down to the level of the tops of the siphons 16, 17. The part 10 is of greater horizontal cross-sectional area than the part 11. In this way the height of the slag column through which the iron passes in the forehearth is reduced and so is the area of the boundary layer in the forehearth. This causes the reaction between the iron and the slag to take place predominantly in the main furnace zone above the bottom 3 and not in the forehearth and in this way the life of the lining of the forehearth, which is a limiting factor on the possible continuous period of operation of the furnace, is prolonged.

Abstract: A method for processing heavy nonferrous metal raw materials by heating and melting said raw materials in a molten slag with the formation of a heterogeneous melt consisting of a sulfide and an oxide phases. The melt is bubbled oxidized by injecting a gas containing not less than 35% oxygen at an intensity of about 200 to about 2000 m.sup.3 STP/h per square meter of horizontal section of the melt, with the effect that the melt is divided into a top bubbled part and a bottom calm part comprising a slag layer, a matte layer and/or a crude metal layer, each of which is tapped separately. A furnace for putting said method into effect is a shaft terminating in its bottom part by a hearth and having devices for tapping smelting products, whereas the top part is provided with orifices for feeding a charge and removing gaseous smelting products. The furnace has cooled side tuyeres set at a level dividing the shaft into two vertical parts.

Abstract: A cold charge of steel scrap is melt cut and melted in an arc furnace provided with special oxygen-fuel burners by which rapid melting is promoted, the interior of the furnace being maintained under negative pressure by a fume evacuation and filtration means thereby to draw in secondary air from the outside atmosphere and, moreover, to increase the burner combustion efficiency. The arc furnace is provided with water cooling devices including a water-cooled ring, carbonaceous bricks, high-alumina ramming masses, and burner tiles in parts of the furnace wall and roof, particularly at wall parts where the burners are mounted, the wall above the slag line, and a roof part where an exhaust gas outlet is formed.

Abstract: A converter 10 having horizontally exiting trunnion pins which are subject to side loading. A pair of bearings support the trunnion pins for rotation and a thrust bearing assembly is connected to the terminal end of one of the trunnion pins and is mounted independently of the pair of bearings. The thrust bearing is mounted for movement in a circular path about the axis of the one trunnion pin to permit misalignment thereof.