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: 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: The present invention relates to an apparatus for supplying bottom-blown gas through a porous plug in a ladle and for molten metal refining. A gas supply pipe 3 is connected to a bottom-blowing porous plug 2 attached at the bottom of a ladle 1. An accumulator tank 11a, is provided in parallel with the gas supply pipe 3. The bottom-blown gas is accumulated in the accumulator tank 11a, and blown into the ladle 1 to agitate the molten metal through the gas supply pipe 3 during refining. After the refining is finished, the switching valve 4 of the gas supply pipe 3 is closed, the switching valve 4a of the accumulator tank 11a is opened and the bottom blowing of a small amount of gas is supplied, and the blowing apparatus 10 is separated from the gas supply source 6 at joint 5.

Abstract: A ladle port assembly having a longer use life than a conventional porous plug includes an inner refractory member constructed from a high-fired alumina-containing refractory material, a middle refractory member surrounding the inner member and also constructed from a high-fired alumina-containing refractory material, a plurality of channel openings at an interface between the inner and middle refractory members, an outer refractory member surrounding the middle member, and a steel housing which contains the three refractory members. The high-firing of the inner and middle members increases their durability and hardness, reduces wear during use, and reduces the clogging of the channel openings which, in conventional porous plugs, has been caused by erosion and other forms of wear.

Abstract: A modified manifold assembly for pocket blocks having fusto conical openings therethrough. The manifold assembly defines an interconnecting passageway from a central gas input supply to multiple formation of gas conveying passageways within the pocket block. The modified manifold assembly positions and holds synthetic resin nets which form the interconnecting passageways during use.

Abstract: A tuyere and method for discharging an agitating gas into the molten contents of an electrically heated furnace to reduce temperature and composition variations in its contents. The tuyere comprises a refractory plug and sleeve for installation into the refractory wall and shell of the furnace, and a dielectric section in the tuyere pipe outside the furnace shell to prevent electrical arcing and current flow into the gas supply piping and external supports.

Abstract: An injection block of an injection valve is disclosed which is normally intended for installation in a metallurgical vessel or holding vessel containing ferrous metal. Other metals can be similarly treated by injection metallurgy, but the maximum utility is believed to be involved in the processing and metallurgical finishing of ferrous metals. The injection block is provided with orifice passages terminating in orifices through which the injections are gas driven, wire fed or in pellet form inserted into the molten metal in the vessel. The orifice passages are angled in one of two directions or a combination of the two directions, radially relative to the axis of the injection block and/or tangentially away from an element that is parallel to the axis of the injection block so as to circumvolve the axis of the injection block.

Abstract: A tuyere block assembly design permitting intermittent flow of gas into the bottom of a metallurgical vessel is provided having the tuyere block assembly open to permit flow of gas into the vessel and closes when the flow of gas into the furnace is not desired without the requirement that gas be continuously injected through the tuyere block in order to keep the block open and operational.

Abstract: A device for introducing gas into a mass of molten metal in a vessel for creating a stirring action therein by way of an apertured block in the refractory lining of said vessel. The device communicates with an opening in the vessel, the opening being sized to permit the introduction and/or exchange of a device core upwardly into the apertured block from the outside bottom or wall of the vessel. The core has a plurality of passageways therethrough and preferably incorporates a conical sleeve thereabout and an apertured spacer therebelow through which a gas supply extends. A removable closure for the opening in the outside bottom or wall of the vessel normally supports the replaceable stirring device when the vessel is in use.

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: A multiple orifice injection valve having a stationary block which communicates between the vessel and a sliding plate. The sliding plate is provided with at least one injection port and drive means for rotatably indexing the same in and out of register with the various orifices in the stationary block. Both the stationary block and sliding plate may have special wear features. The sliding plate is held by means of a carrier, and the same urged by a plurality of spring-loaded rockers into pressure face-to-face relationship with the stationary block. The valve can be open by a toggle latch and toggle hinge assembly thereby permitting removal of the sliding plate and/or the stationary block. Injection is provided by a quick disconnect coupling having two injection ports. The one port receives wire or other metallic material in wire form, and the second port injects gas, powdered metals, or other fluid-like materials.

Abstract: A scavenger for injecting gas into molten material where a refractory member fits within an opening in a refractory lining. The cold face of the scavenger fits within a recess of a base that includes a gas conduit in the form of a double spiral. The gas conduit in the base is in flow communication with the gas transmitting means in the gas scavenger.

Abstract: In a flushing arrangement for a metallurgical vessel, a metallic flushing plate is installed on pre-determined sites of the bottom or the vessel walls between neighboring refractory bricks. The flushing plate has two plate-shaped metal walls delimiting at least one passage channel for flush gas, and a supply duct, in flow connection with the passage channel.

Abstract: A gas blowing nozzle is produced by molding a non-porous substance into a molding frame under pressure and at the same time positioning a plurality of gas passageways forming members at predetermined spaces and distances from each other. The passageway holes have cross sectional shapes as desired, so that the gas blowing may be accurately controlled to perform refining of molten metal.

Abstract: A tuyere assembly for use in metallurgical vessels includes a tubular metallic tuyere housing which is cast in a book of refractory material. When the tuyere block is installed in a metallurgical vessel, a tuyere is inserted within the tubular tuyere housing and the space between the tuyere assembly and the housing sealed with a suitable refractory material. After a significant portion of the tuyere assembly has burned away during metallurgical operations, the tuyere may be withdrawn from the tuyere housing and a new tuyere substituted. Any refractory lining which has burned away in the vicinity of the new tuyere may be built up with a chemically bonded gunning mixture which sets to form a dense refractory material around the tuyere assembly.

Abstract: A refractory bottom lining has extending therethrough at least one inclined decarburization or refining nozzle or tuyere. Surrounding the nozzle is an outer perforate brick having a hole therethrough. An inner brick fits within the hole of the outer brick and has a bore which is inclined at the same angle of inclination as the nozzle. The nozzle extends through the bore.