Abstract: A method of operating a top submerged lance furnace, and more particularly but not exclusively to a method of coating an end of a lance of a top submerged lance furnace with a slag layer, as well as a method of maintaining a uniform heat distribution about the periphery of the lance of the top submerged lance furnace. In terms of the method, the lance is caused to rotate, and a fluid is passed through the lance before it is inserted into the molten material bath inside the crucible.

Abstract: A temperature sensor includes: a housing; a connector disposed in the housing; a cover attached to the housing; a temperature sensing part disposed in a tip end portion in the cover, detecting temperature; a pair of lead wires having conductivity, connected to the temperature sensing part and a terminal of the connector; a guide tube having insulation properties, formed to have larger inner diameter than an outer diameter of each lead wire, the guide tube having a gap between each lead wire and the guide tube to cover each lead wire; a filler that directly or indirectly touches the temperature sensing part and a tip end of the guide tube, a tip end region inside the cover being filled with the filler; a space formed in a base end side in a region filled with the filler within the cover.

Abstract: An analysis pretreatment device according to an embodiment includes a chamber capable of containing an analysis object therein. A pressure reducer reduces pressure inside the chamber. An introducing part vaporizes a liquid and introduces the vaporized liquid into the chamber. A first supplier supplies water in a liquid state to the introducing part. A second supplier supplies hydrofluoric acid in a gas state to the introducing part. The introducing part introduces a mixed gas into the chamber. The mixed gas includes vaporized water, which is obtained by vaporizing water in a liquid state, and hydrofluoric acid in a gas state.

Abstract: The boiler (1) has side tubed walls (2) enclosing an inner space (3) and a device for selective non catalytic reduction (7). The device for selective non catalytic reduction (7) has a lance (8) carrying a hose (9) having at least a nozzle (10) and a hose drive mechanism (11) for driving the hose within the lance. The lance (8) protrudes into the inner space (3) from a side tubed wall (2) of the boiler (1).

Abstract: A top-blowing lance includes a refining oxygen gas blowing nozzle having a plurality of ejection openings through which oxygen gas is blown into an iron bath in a reaction vessel, the ejection openings being disposed along a circular orbit at intervals, and a burner nozzle having an axis coaxial with the central axis of the circular orbit, forming a flame inside the refining oxygen gas blowing nozzle, and having ejection openings for blowing a powder heated by the flame into the iron bath, wherein an indicator A that indicates the positional relationship between the ejection openings of the refining oxygen gas blowing nozzle and the ejection openings of the burner nozzle satisfies the specified conditions.

Abstract: A fluid-cooled through-port oxy-fuel burner for converting an air-fuel regenerator port from air-fuel combustion to oxy-fuel combustion and an associated furnace and method. The oxy-fuel burner is suitable for installing through a regenerator port neck. The burner has an elbow-like bend to accommodate the geometry of the regenerator port neck. The burner has a cooling fluid jacket, a fuel conduit, a first oxidant conduit, and optionally an oxidant staging conduit.

Abstract: A post-combustion lance for directing a gas at least partially therethrough. The post-combustion lance includes a body extending between an upstream end and a downstream end of the lance, the body including upper and lower portions and a post-combustion distributor mounted therebetween. The lance also includes an internal support assembly for supporting the body, the internal support assembly including an internal tube positioned inside the body and at least partially engaged with the lower portion, and at least partially engaged with the upper portion of the body, so that the internal support assembly supports the body both upstream and downstream relative to the distributor. The lance also includes a lower o-ring gland positioned downstream relative to the internal support assembly and an upper o-ring gland positioned upstream relative to the lower o-ring gland.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus (100,100?,100?) for steelmaking lances (300) of an electric arc furnace (200) comprising:—a supporting structure (150,150?) for a steelmaking lance intended to be introduced into said furnace (200) through an opening (230) of said furnace—a linkage (110;120;130;160) associated to said supporting structure (150,150?) and intended to position a carriage (115) linearly movable with respect to said linkage (110;120;130;160) wherein said linkage (110;120;130;160) is an articulated quadrilateral intended to cause said at least one steelmaking lance (330) to be moved from a parking position outside said electric arc furnace to an operating position wherein at least a part of said lance is inside said electric arc furnace and said positioning apparatus (100,100?,100?) further comprises rotation means to cause at least said carriage (115) to rotate about an axis (X) substantially vertical in the assembly condition.

Abstract: A lance (10), for conducting a pyrometallurgical operation by top submerged lancing (TSL) injection, wherein the lance (10) has at least an inner pipe (12) and outer pipe (14) which are substantially concentric. The lower outlet of the inner pipe (12) is set at a level relative to the lower, outlet end of the outer pipe (14) required for pyrometallurgical operation. The lance (10) further includes a shroud (22) through which the outer pipe (14) extends and which is mounted on and extends along an upper portion of the outer pipe (14) to define with the outer pipe (14) a passageway (28) along which gas is able to be supplied for flow towards the outlet end of the outer pipe (14) for discharge exteriorly of the lance (10). The shroud (22) is longitudinally adjustable relative to the outer pipe (14) to enable substantial maintenance of or variation in, a longitudinal spacing between the outlet ends of the shroud (22) and the outer pipe (14).

Abstract: A lance holder characterized by a high degree of safety is equipped with a mounting or a pipe fixing, which safely prevents a rotation even of a bent lance pipe in the lance holder. The clamping head has a fixing part and a clamping part which ensure a punctiform fixation by way of displaceable pressure elements, particularly in the form of spheres. At least three such spheres are disposed across the circumference in a distributed manner, and ensure the safe fixation across a large tolerance range with regard to the dimensions of lance pipes. Said large tolerance region is further secured in that sealing sleeves having a larger inside diameter may be used, since the same are no longer deformed in the longitudinal direction in order to provide the seal, but instead are deformed in the radial direction. In summary the high degree of operational safety is also completed by the association of a chip and/or attachment of a nanocoating.

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 melt. According to one aspect of the invention used in a steel-making process in an electric arc furnace, a furnace aperture burner/lance provides a flame for heating the melt, a lance device for injecting oxygen into the furnace, or both. To access the melt, the furnace aperture burner/lance is disengaged, access is provided to the melt through the furnace aperture, and the furnace aperture burner/lance is reengaged when the access is concluded.

Abstract: A post-combustion lance for directing a gas at least partially therethrough. The post-combustion lance includes a body having a primary tip from which a first part of the gas exits, upper and lower portions, and a post-combustion distributor mounted between the upper and lower portions and upstream from the primary tip. The distributor includes a number of ports through which a second part of the gas exits the lance. The lance also includes an upper inner tube positioned at least partially upstream from the distributor and an internal support assembly for supporting the body. The internal support assembly includes an internal tube positioned inside the body and coaxial with the body.

Abstract: A metallurgical vessel (11) has circumferentially spaced tubular mountings (25) through which to extend solids injection lances (31) into the vessel. Lance extraction apparatus (33) comprises an elongate track support structure (41) supporting a twin rail track (40) inclined upwardly and outwardly from the vessel above the direction of inclination of a respective lance (31). Interconnected upper and lower carriages (42, 44) are moveable along track (40) by operation of a hoist (47). Extraction apparatus (33) is operable sequentially to remove solids delivery line sections (36) and (37) and the lance (31) by connection to the carriages (42, 44) and upward movement of those carriages along track (40). Upper carriage (42) carries a pivot arm (51) for connection to upper parts of components to be removed such that those components can be pivoted downwardly to positions in which they can be hung from an overhead crane for removal to a remote location.

Abstract: For the metallurgical treatment of steel melts, a lance is guided through a guide tube with gland into a reaction chamber, on which a water-cooled connection with a connector flange and a vacuum-sealed housing with a housing flange are located, as well as a compensator installed between the housing and the gland guide tube for compensating lateral, axial or angular relative motions of the guide tube and housing during the course of movement.

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 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: 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 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 post-combustion lance for directing a gas at least partially therethrough. The post-combustion lance includes a body having a primary tip from which a first part of the gas exits, upper and lower portions, and a post-combustion distributor mounted between the upper and lower portions and upstream from the primary tip. The distributor includes a number of ports through which a second part of the gas exits the lance. The lance also includes an upper inner tube positioned at least partially upstream from the distributor and an internal support assembly for supporting the body. The internal support assembly includes an internal tube positioned inside the body and coaxial with the body.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the treatment of molten metal, e.g. aluminum, with a particulate treatment agent and a gas. This includes a vessel for holding molten metal, a rotary device for breaking up particulate treatment agent and gas within the molten metal and for dispersing particulate treatment agent and gas within the molten metal contained in the vessel and means for supplying the particulate treatment agent and gas to the rotary device. The rotary device includes a hollow shaft having a rotor with an axial opening fixed to the discharge end of the shaft, this rotor being in the form of an annular plate with a plurality of radially mounted upwardly directed blades projecting from the top face of the annular plate and a plurality of radially mounted downwardly directed blades projecting from the bottom face of the annular plate.

Abstract: A process is described for treating molten metal with a particulate treating agent. A melt of a metal, e.g. aluminum, is provided in a treatment vessel such as a ladle and a mixing impeller is positioned substantially below the surface of the molten metal. The impeller comprises a plate with a series of spaced blades extending from the surface of the plate. This impeller is adapted to provide high shear mixing with minimum vortex. While rotating the impeller on a substantially vertical axis, particulate treating agent is fed by way of an injection tube below the surface of the molten metal and into the region between the axis and periphery of the impeller. This causes a high shearing action in the region of the blades whereby the treating agent is quickly broken down into finely divided droplets that are at least partially molten and which are circulated within the molten metal.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the treatment of molten metal, e.g. aluminum, with a particulate treatment agent and a gas. This includes a vessel for holding molten metal, a rotary device for breaking up particulate treatment agent and gas within the molten metal and for dispersing particulate treatment agent and gas within the molten metal contained in the vessel and means for supplying the particulate treatment agent and gas to the rotary device. The rotary device includes a hollow shaft having a rotor with an axial opening fixed to the discharge end of the shaft, this rotor being in the form of an annular plate with a plurality of radially mounted upwardly directed blades projecting from the top face of the annular plate and a plurality of radially mounted downwardly directed blades projecting from the bottom face of the annular plate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an oxygen lance crane assembly that includes a measuring device positioned to take measurements to a target area within a BOF vessel. The measuring device includes an optical head for receiving and directing an energy beam to the target area within an associated metallurgical vessel, and for receiving and directing a reflected energy beam to a processor that converts the reflected energy beam into a distance measurement. A drive means, provided within a housing fastened to the lance crane assembly, is attached to the optical head so that when the drive means is operated the optical head is either extended through an opening in the housing to a remote measuring position at a line of sight to the target area within the metallurgical vessel, or retracted back through the opening to a stored position within the housing.

Abstract: A powder injector for a ladle of molten metal having an exposed upper level with a given shape. The injector comprises a splash deflector with a cast body of heat resistant material with a downwardly facing lower surface defining an outer periphery and maintained above the upper level of molten metal, an elongated powder injection lance with a tubular body extending vertically from above the deflector surface to a position substantially below the surface and into the molten metal and a directional outlet nozzle directed at a transverse angle to the lance body in a direction below the surface of the splash deflector and an upper member mounting the lance with respect to the splash deflector with the nozzle directed into the molten metal substantially below the lower surface and within the periphery of the lower surface.

Abstract: A lance (5) for injecting a feed material, preferably a solid feed material, into a metallurgical vessel, is disclosed. The lance comprises: an inlet (21) for introducing the feed material into the lance; an outlet (23) at a forward end of the lance (5) for discharging the feed material from the lance (5); a hollow elongate member (25) that defines a passageway (33) for the feed material between the inlet (21) and the outlet (23) and is adapted to be cooled by a first cooling fluid; and an outer jacket (35) positioned around a section of the length of the member (25) and is adapted to be cooled by a second cooling fluid.

Abstract: The use of oxygen lance tubes 12 for refining in connection with steel production is simplified and configured more safely in that the sealing casing 14 is allocated a slidable pressure piston 15 in which pressure media act on the pressure casing 14 to a limited extent, thus improving the mounting of the lance tube 12; the latter is fixed from the other side over the pressure casing 4 pushed on to the collet 3. Upon activation of the adjusting facility 11, regardless of whether it is a pneumatic or manually operated adjusting facility 11, the pressure casing 4 slides down from the collet 3 and the interior space 16 is simultaneously connected with the atmosphere through a bypass 17 with a shut-off valve 18. Any excessive oxygen pressure possibly developing here, for example as a consequence of a lance tube 12 blocked by slag, may be rapidly reduced without endangering the operating crew.

Abstract: A device for coupling a blow lance with a header is disclosed, in which the force required for producing a sealing joint between the header (2) and the lance (4) is exerted by a cooling fluid and/or a blowing fluid. In a preferred embodiment, said cooling fluid and/or blowing fluid acts via a pressure surface (32) on the joint between the header (2) and the lance (4), the pressure surface being integral with a piston (22) which transmits the pressure to said joint. The lance has preferably a first coupling surface (12), while the header (2) has a second coupling surface (14), and one of said coupling surfaces (12 or 14) is integral with said piston (22).

Abstract: A blowing lance and a coupling head are configured to permit facilitated exchange of the blowing lance as desired. The coupling head includes a receptacle in which an end portion of the blowing lance is receivable. The receptacle includes a tubular attachment which engages a portion of the blowing lance, creating a hermetically sealed connection therebetween for conduction of a blowing fluid, for example, oxygen. The coupling head further includes connections for coolant supply and discharge. The blowing lance includes a cooling jacket having an inlet and outlet, at least one of which emerges at a peripheral surface thereof. When the blowing lance is received in the receptacle of the coupling head, at least one chamber is formed therebetween, providing sealed communication between the coolant supply and/or coolant discharge connections of the coupling head and the inlet and/or the outlet of the cooling jacket of the blowing lance, respectively.

Abstract: A desulfurization apparatus which employs first and second separate independently movable spaced apart lances (10, 12), each lance having a single conduit (22) through which the desulfurization materials may flow from feed vessels (40, 42, 44, 46) into the molten iron in a ladle (16). First and second independently operable raising and lowering apparatus (28, 30) are provided, the first raising and lowering apparatus (28) being connected to the first lance (10), and the second raising and lowering apparatus (30) being connected to the second lance. Each of the first and second raising and lowering apparatus (28,30) is capable of moving the associated lance (10, 12) from between a raised position where the lower end of the associated lance is spaced above the surface of the molten iron in the ladle and a lowered position where the lower end of the associated lance is spaced within the ladle at a proper location for desulfurization of the molten iron.

Abstract: A burner/injector for providing a localized impingement flame or multiple flames for scrap heating and melting through use of a fluid fuel and at least one oxygen rich oxidizing gas. The burner/injector includes a liquid-cooled combustor for generating an impinging flame directed toward a scrap pile and a structure for injecting a controllable amount of a solid material and a controllable flow of high velocity oxidizing gas. The burner/injector may be arranged as a simple liquid-cooled combustor permanently mounted through the furnace wall or roof, and may be equipped with single or multiple channels for injection of solid material and high velocity oxidizing gas. The burner/injector can also be arranged as a water-cooled burner/injector lance accompanied with a water-cooled oxygen injecting lance, both movable through the slag door opening toward the furnace interior.

Abstract: A vacuum tight reaction vessel for steel processing has a vessel bottom and a cover that can be placed vacuum-tightly on the vessel bottom. The cover has a packing gland as a vacuum-tight passage. The packing gland includes a packing gland housing fixedly connected to the cover, a packing gland seal, and a packing gland passage for guiding a blast pipe that is vertically movable relative to the cover. A lateral compensator connects the packing gland passage to the packing gland housing and allows lateral movements of the packing gland passage relative to the packing gland housing.

Abstract: A burner/injector for providing a localized impingement flame or multiple flames for scrap heating and melting through use of a fluid fuel and at least one oxygen rich oxidizing gas. The burner/injector includes a liquid-cooled combustor for generating an impinging flame directed toward a scrap pile and a structure for injecting a controllable amount of a solid carbonaceous fuel and a controllable flow of high velocity oxidizing gas into space that has been previously occupied by the impinging flame. The burner/injector may be equipped to inject a solid slag forming materials and/or slag deoxidizing materials and/or to inject an additional oxidizing gas for burning a small portion of preheated scrap, post-combustion of CO and iron-carbon melt refining. The burner/injector may be arranged as a simple liquid-cooled combustor permanently mounted through the furnace wall or roof, and may be equipped with single or multiple channels for injection of solid material and high velocity oxidizing gas.

Abstract: A burner/injector for providing a localized impingement flame or multiple flames for scrap heating and melting through use of a fluid fuel and at least one oxygen rich oxidizing gas. The burner/injector includes a liquid-cooled combustor for generating an impinging flame directed toward a scrap pile and a structure for injecting a controllable amount of a solid carbonaceous fuel and a controllable flow of high velocity oxidizing gas into space that has been previously occupied by the impinging flame. The burner/injector may be equipped to inject a solid slag forming materials and/or slag deoxidizing materials, and/or to inject an additional oxidizing gas for burning a small portion of preheated scrap, post-combustion of CO and iron-carbon melt refining. The burner/injector may be arranged as a simple liquid-cooled combustor permanently mounted through the furnace wall or roof, and may be equipped with single or multiple channels for injection of solid material and high velocity oxidizing gas.

Abstract: A burner/injector for providing a localized impingement flame or multiple flames for scrap heating and melting through use of a fluid fuel and at least one oxygen rich oxidizing gas. The burner/injector includes a liquid-cooled combustor for generating an impinging flame directed toward a scrap pile and a structure for injecting a controllable amount of a solid carbonaceous fuel and a controllable flow of high velocity oxidizing gas into space that has been previously occupied by the impinging flame. The burner/injector may be equipped to inject a solid slag forming materials and/or slag deoxidizing materials, and/or to inject an additional oxidizing gas for burning a small portion of preheated scrap, post-combustion of CO and iron-carbon melt refining. The burner/injector may be arranged as a simple liquid-cooled combustor permanently mounted through the furnace wall or roof, and may be equipped with single or multiple channels for injection of solid material and high velocity oxidizing gas.

Abstract: A burner/injector for providing a localized impingement flame or multiple flames for scrap heating and melting through use of a fluid fuel and at least one oxygen rich oxidizing gas. The burner/injector includes a liquid-cooled combustor for generating an impinging flame directed toward a scrap pile and a structure for injecting a controllable amount of a solid carbonaceous fuel and a controllable flow of high velocity oxidizing gas into space that has been previously occupied by the impinging flame. The burner/injector may be equipped to inject a solid slag forming materials and/or slag deoxidizing materials, and/or to inject an additional oxidizing gas for burning a small portion of preheated scrap, post-combustion of CO and iron-carbon melt refining. The burner/injector may be arranged as a simple liquid-cooled combustor permanently mounted through the furnace wall or roof, and may be equipped with single or multiple channels for injection of solid material and high velocity oxidizing gas.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for treating molten metal to achieve effective removal of such unwanted inclusions as gases, alkali metals, entrained solids, and the like. The method comprises introducing molten metal into a trough, such as the trough provided between a melting furnace and a casting machine, providing at least one mechanically movable gas injector submerged within the metal in the trough and injecting a gas into the metal in a part of the trough forming a treatment zone through the injector(s) to form gas bubbles in the metal while moving the injector(s) mechanically to minimize bubble size and maximize distribution of the gas within the metal.

Abstract: A device is presented for inserting, from a support structure a lance axially through a side opening in a pressurized container, in particular a blast furnace. This device comprises a support bench on which a support carriage can slide. A front elastic support for the lance is mounted so as to follow the level variations of the side opening. When the lance is inserted into the container, the front elastic support yields and the lance bears on an internal support.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the semi-continuous melting of ceramic material by means of inductive melting in high-frequency and medium-frequency induction melting furnaces whose melting coil surrounds a sintering crust crucible and contains a run-out channel. In tile method, melt is periodically run out and material to be melted is supplied to the crucible so as to replace the material removed preferably so as to maintain a constant level. An intensively cooled channel is used as a run-out device. For the melt broaching, the melt nose is grasped from below by way of an automatically controllable broaching lance of a broaching device and raised. The broaching lance is then advanced between the bottom of the channel and the solidified melt until the sintering crust is pierced. The method permits a reliable and economic management of the process and the maintenance of the quality of the melted products.

Abstract: An elongate lance (4) is raised or lowered by means of a carnage (7) which is guided by vertical channels (8). The lance has lateral projections (18) whereby it is supported in a cradle (17) mounted to carriage (7) via springs (29). The apparatus permits the lance lower end (12) to be submerged in bath (3) and permits restricted lateral movement of the lance lower end.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of removing slag from a body of molten iron comprising the steps of providing a body of molten iron in a crucible, the body having a layer of slag on the surface thereof, the crucible having a side thereof for removing slag therefrom. Means is provided for removing the slag at the side from the surface of the molten iron. Gas is injected into the molten iron to concentrate the slag on the surface adjacent the side for removing the slag to facilitate removal thereof. The concentrated slag is removed over the side by the means for removing the slag.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for supplying media to a blowing lance, particularly a blowing lance used in the production of steel by a top blowing process. A vertically movable lance carrier comprises a media connection device having a vertical connection surface. Before coupling, the blowing lance is first locked on the lance carrier by a fastening device. The connection device is movable horizontally in guide rails on the lance carrier from a waiting position towards the coupling head of the blowing lance.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a gas tight lance closing device at a cooling chimney hood for steel converters. An opening is provided in the cooling chimney for a jetting lance, which latter can be raised and lowered. The diameter of the opening is dimensioned in such a way that an annular gap remains between the inner edge of the opening and the outer circumference of the jetting lance. In order to close the chimney opening toward the lance so as to be gas tight and to enable operation at an internal overpressure of more than 0.

Abstract: The top-submergable injection lance has an elongate conduit which extends between upper and discharge ends and defines a bore, for the supply of reactants, through the conduit and an annular, alloy steel tip at the discharge end. The conduit comprises an inner pipe defining the bore, an outer pipe, and a third pipe which divides an annular volume between the inner and an outer pipes for circulation of coolant fluid. The tip is defined by inner and outer peripheral surfaces merging at a sharp lower edge and a top surface extending between the peripheral surfaces. The top surface of the tip joins the inner and outer pipes so as to be contactable by the coolant fluid. The frusto-conical inner peripheral surface provides a continuation of the bore which increases in cross-section to an opening at the lower edge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to drives for an automatic lance-changing devices. In accordance with the present invention, the drive effects the coupling of lances used for supplying media by pressing them against a coupling head which, in turn, is accomplished by draw rods which are operated with the aid of lifting spindle movement transmitting screw thread systems. Each draw rod has associated with it its own reduction gear unit which has an integrated lifting spindle system and on which a load cell is mounted. The primary shafts, in alignment with one another, of the two gear units are connected together by a coupling which compensates for axial, radial and angular displacements.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the semi-continuous melting of ceramic material by means of inductive melting in high-frequency and medium-frequency induction melting furnaces whose melting coil surrounds a sintering crust crucible and contains a run-out channel. In the method, melt is periodically run out and material to be melted is supplied to the crucible so as to replace the material removed preferably so as to maintain a constant level. An intensively cooled channel is used as a run-out device. For the melt broaching, the melt nose is grasped from below by way of an automatically controllable broaching lance of a broaching device and raised. The broaching lance is then advanced between the bottom of the channel and the solidified melt until the sintering crust is pierced. The method permits a reliable and economic management of the process and the maintenance of the quality of the melted products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive for an automatic lance-changing device, such as is used in the top-blowing steel-making process. Such a lance-changing device comprises two lance-receiving hooks pivotable about a horizontal axis of rotation, means for the synchronous vertical displacement of these hooks relative to the lance carriage and to the coupling head, means which, during this displacement of the hooks, cause these hooks to execute a pivoting movement about their said axis of rotation, and means for detecting by measurement the load acting on each hook, the latter being a function of the force with which the lance top part is pressed against said coupling head by the hooks. The drive of this invention is a lifting-spindle system, by means of which a vertically displaceable suspension ring for suspension hooks of the lance top part is driven.

Abstract: An arrangement for introducing and removing a lance into and out of a tiltable metallurgical vessel has drive means stationarily arranged in the direction of the lance axis and means for pivotal mounting of the drive means. The lance is designed as a guide and is guided by the drive means and is movable in the direction of its axis. In a method using the above arrangement for positioning the lance relative to the metallurgical vessel, the actual position of the vessel is taken up by a position transmitter on said vessel, and the drive means is actuated to position the lance in dependence on that actual position.

Abstract: A device for automatically coupling a lance for injecting a fluid into a molten metal bath to a manifold for supplying the fluid to the lance includes means for hitching the lance rigidly to a lance-carrying carriage which can be displaced along a slide rail, and means ensuring the support of the manifold with respect to the lance-carrying carriage and enabling the manifold to be displaced vertically with respect to the lance-carrying carriage, or vice versa.

Abstract: The lance holder for an oxygen lance has a substantially increased reliability and safety, since a valve disk slidable against the force of a valve disk spring by insertion of the lance is provided in a retaining body between the slag run back safety device and a gripping head. This valve disk is forced from the valve seat on insertion of the lance so that the refinery gas can pass through the lance holder without more. If through some error the lance is released, i.e. by slipping out from the holder, the valve disk automatically closes so that the oxygen gas provided can not flow through. A contact of the oxygen-supply hose with the lance holder attached to it is thus reliably prevented. At the same time the slag run back safety device and the clamping head are formed so that a very compact lance holder results.