Abstract: A tuyere for treating molten metal in a vessel in which bottom stirring gas blowing is desired has a tubular body member having a mounting flange inwardly of one end thereof by which the tuyere is positioned in the vessel through an opening in a side wall thereof with the inner end of the tuyere spaced with respect to the side wall to effectively direct gas introduced therethrough in a stirring action in the molten metal. A plurality of spirally wound metal tubes are positioned in side by side relation engaging the tubular body member and the plurality of spirally wound metal tubes are partially flattened to create desirable configurations so that a tuyere so formed can match any desired discharge of gas into the molten metal. Additionally, the partially flattened configuration of the smaller tubes enables them to provide relatively large surface areas engageable against the inner surface of the tubular body member which imparts a cooling effect thereto.

Abstract: A lance for treating molten metals useful for either inert gas stirring or injection of oxygen has an elongated refractory body formed in and around a metal tube in a portion of which a plurality of spirally wound metal tubes are positioned in side by side relation engaging the metal tube, the spirally wound tubes being mechanically locked into a refractory forming a core therein. The spirally wound metal tubes terminate at one end of the lance in a circular pattern to provide a tangential flow of gas flowing therefrom when gas such as argon is directed therethrough. The metal tubes communicate at their opposite ends with a secondary metal tube which in turn communicates with a fitting externally of the refractory body of the lance by which the lance may be supported and through which the desirable gas is supplied.

Abstract: A converter for preparing steel having a refractory lining including a wear lining is provided at its bottom with a plurality of gas supply devices for supply of stirring gas to the molten bath in the converter. Each gas supply device has a generally vertical flat panel which comprises at least two flat metal plates joined together to provide a plurality of gas passages between them. The plates are mounted between bricks of the wear lining. To prevent the plates bulging apart, which causes the gas passages to be blocked by steel the plates are connected to each other between their edges at a plurality of locations distributed over the whole of the plate faces in a manner so as to resist the pressure of the gas in the passages. The bricks of the wear lining adjacent the gas supply device are modified in dimensions to accommodate the gas supply device and/or modified in quality compared with the neighboring bricks.

Abstract: A lance for blow-refinement in a converter comprises a primary nozzle generating a high-velocity, high-pressure primary oxygen jet, and an auxiliary nozzle generating an auxiliary oxygen jet. The auxiliary oxygen jet formed by the auxiliary nozzle has a velocity lower than the speed of sound. The auxiliary nozzle is configured so as to impede but not prevent oxygen flow therethrough. In the preferred construction, deceleration of gas-metal reaction induced by the oxygen jet.

Abstract: A flushing arrangement for a metallurgical vessel having a metal outer shell, a bottom lined with a permanent lining, on which adjacently arranged refractory bricks are applied as working lining, and pipes inserted in recesses of the bricks at predetermined sites and having flat cross sections, through which flush gas flows. In order to provide a flushing means that is simple to produce and install and offers a great safety with regard to a melt breakthrough, a rigid supply pipe for flush gas is led through the metal outer shell, reaching into the permanent lining. To its end lying in the permanent lining, at least two, yet at most four, distributing pipes are welded. They diverge from the end of the supply pipe and pass over into straight pipe sections arranged in recesses of the bricks of the working lining. The distributing pipes that are connected to one supply pipe each enclose one brick.

Abstract: Apparatus for introducing reactive and nonreactive gases through the refractory lining of a metallurgical vessel, such as bottom injection of such gases into a BOF to improve mixed blowing efficiency. The apparatus comprises one or more refractory blocks which may be set within a metal canister. The refractory blocks have a plurality of slots each containing one or more small diameter nonreactive metal tubes for conveying gases. The refractory block may also contain means for measuring the rate of wear of the refractory blocks in the canister.

Abstract: A plug comprises a refractory body having a plurality of gas passgeways through which gas is blown into a refining apparatus. Each gas passageway may be defined by at least two metal tubes which are longitudinally spaced apart from each other. Alternatively, each gas passageway may be at least partly defined by an electrically insulating tube. The plug may alternatively have a plurality of gas passageways each having a bare refractory wall, while the body is reinforced with nonconductive mineral fibers, or metal wires which do not continuously extend throughout the plug. The plug may further be provided with a plurality of elongated holes extending in parallel to the gas passgeways from the inner surface of the body facing the interior of the refining apparatus to an intermediate portion thereof.

Abstract: A blast pipe for delivering refining oxygen to the space above a metal bath in a refining operation is presented. The blast pipe is positioned in a gas supply duct and is provided with a pressure regulating valve. The blast pipe comprises a fixed straight wall portion along which the gas flows in a linear path. The straight wall portion terminates at a sharp edge, constituting a portion of the blast pipe exit orifice. A bent wall segment is located adjacent to and downstream of the straight wall portion and connects the remainder of the straight wall portion to the exit orifice. The bent wall segment preferably has a convergent configuration, upstream of the sharp edge, and a divergent configuration downstream thereof. The exit orifice, in cross section, has the shape of a rectangle, one of the long sides of which constitutes the sharp edge.

Abstract: A nozzle for the refining of metals by oxygen blasting from above the melt is presented. The nozzle includes a nozzle head having a blast pipe therethrough upstream of the mouth of the nozzle. The blast pipe directs a jet of gas comprised, at least in part, of oxygen, having a supersonic speed onto the melt. The blast pipe includes an inner tube. The lower portion of the inner tube has a throat positioned between a convergent and divergent sections, this lower portion defining a laval nozzle. The blast pipe also includes an outer tube coaxial with the inner tube and having a greater cross section than the inner tube. The mouth of the inner tube is spaced back (downstream) from the mouth of the blast pipe. The inner and outer tubes are each provided with flow control valves, and are connected to sources of pressurized gas. Devices are provided to vary the cross sectional area of the mouth of the inner tube.

Abstract: A nozzle for refining metals or ferroalloys by oxygen blasting from above the melt is presented. The nozzle terminates at a nozzle head and includes at least one central blast pipe for directing a jet of oxygen having supersonic speed. A chamber is interposed between the mouth of the blast pipe and the mouth of the nozzle head. This chamber widens progressively from the mouth of the blast pipe, and narrows toward the mouth of the nozzle head. At least one opening from at least one lateral duct opens to the chamber in the vicinity of the blast pipe mouth. Each lateral duct is connected to a source of gas, and includes an inidividual flow control valve. Preferably, at least three lateral ducts are arranged symmetrically around the blast pipe mouth.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device used in the selection between two fluids that are to be injected into a liquid metal contained in a metallurgical converter: an oxidizing gas and another gas conveying powdered carbonaceous material; both fluids arrive through different conduits to a selecting valve located at the bottom of a metallurgical converter just before a single conduit tuyere for leading one of the fluids to the liquid metal by means of the selective mechanism in such valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accelerating solid particles entrained in a carrier gas so as to maximize the velocity of the particles at the output end of a duct is presented. This maximized or optimal acceleration is achieved by varying the cross section of the duct over at least the last 5 meters upstream from the opening thereof. Preferrably, the cross section of the duct should continuously increase i.e. diverge, towards the opening. This diverging cross section is preferrably in accordance with a nonlinear function of the length.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating the feed or delivery of hot air in the tuyere stock of a shaft furnace, and a tuyere stock which incorporates such a regulating apparatus is presented. The regulating apparatus may be used in conjunction with a tuyere stock for a shaft furnace (the structure of which is well known) and consists of an articulated pipe connecting a large circular conduit to a nozzle and which is fitted internally with a refractory lining having an internal channel therethrough for the passage of air. The regulating apparatus of the present invention comprises a valve substantially in the form of a disc which is adapted to operate in a spherical portion of the internal channel described above. The disc is removably mounted on the end of a rod, the rod being rotatably and hermetically mounted in a tubular support integral with the wall of the tuyere stock and connected on the outside thereof to a mechanism which serves to pivot both the rod and the valve about the longitudinal axis 0 of the rod.

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: An air cooled refractory lance useful for either inert gas stirring or injection of oxygen into molten metal has an elongated refractory body having an axial bore terminating inwardly of one end in which several metal conduits are positioned with one of the conduits extending outwardly of the refractory body and forming a support and a conduit for air being introduced into the lance for cooling. Another of the conduits extends completely through the refractory body in coaxial relation and provides a path for a gas stream directed therethrough.

Abstract: The object is to introduce a bottom-blown gas into a molten metal refining furnace so as to minimize the rate of blowing gas flow and increase the control range of the rate of blowing gas flow. There are included a refractory (1) having a plurality of holes (2) having an inner diameter of from 0.5 to 3.0 mm.phi. formed through said refractory and extending its working surface to its back, a metal cover (3) enclosing at least a part of the sides of the refractory (1) and a pressure box (4) formed in the bottom of the refractory (1) so as to communicate with the holes (2) and define a gas reservoir space. The molten metal is prevented from entering the holes (2) when the blowing gas pressure and the rate of blowing gas flow are decreased.

Abstract: A solid non-permeable refractory plug has a spaced stainless steel jacket and is located in a pocket block for incorporation in the normal refractory brick lining of a ladle to provide a structure through which gas can be introduced into the molten metal. An upstanding arcuate deflector on the stainless steel jacket covers a substantial portion of the open upper end of the jacket to deflect gas flowing upwardly through the device into two separate and distinct streams resulting in an improved stirring action in the molten metal while serving to displace the molten metal that would otherwise tend to flow into the device and close the gas passageway.

Abstract: A gas-transmitting wall element for a metallurgical vessel having a refractory lining is described which is subject to low wear, is reproducible and makes unnecessary continuous blowing of gas through it. The element has an outer sheet metal box, open at one end, and a refractory filling in the box comprising at least one brick spaced from the closed end of the box, into which a gas inlet opens. The brick contacts the metal sidewalls of the box and has grooves to allow the gas to pass to the open end of the box.

Abstract: A blowing apparatus for simultaneously delivering gaseous and solid materials to a hot metal melt during refining is presented. The blowing apparatus or blowing lance provides a novel structure of an inner block, an outer block housing, and tubing wherein incompatible materials (i.e., oxygen and carbon) may be safely and simultaneously delivered by use of a protective structure which also functions as a cooling device. The blowing lance further includes a variety of nozzles for blowing materials both above and below the surface of the metal pool.

Abstract: A device for blowing a reactive liquid into a melt which includes an atomization nozzle and a plurality of parallel bores having such a ratio of length to diameter as to cause emission of the reactive liquid as a corresponding plurality of parallel streams of atomized liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for incorporation in the normal refractory brick lining of a molten metal ladle through which apparatus gas can be introduced for stirring the molten metal. The device comprises a stirring block having a frustro-conical cavity therein and external configuration accommodating portions of the refractory lining of the ladle. A solid non-permeable refractory plug or the like of a frustro-conical shape is provided with a metal jacket spaced with respect to the exterior thereof to form an appropriate gas passageway and a spirally arranged continuous rib is formed on the exterior of the metal jacket for registry when rotated with a similarly shaped groove in the frustro-conical cavity in the stirring block.

Abstract: A valve assembly for insertion into the bottom of a ladle for molten metal comprises refractory upper and lower parts defining a flow passage with an enlarged central region containing a valve head. The valve head is moved by a spindle to control the flow of gas injected through the valve into the metal.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying gas through the wall of a metallurgical container includes a fireproof refractory brick having a free inner end adapted to be exposed to the interior of the metallurgical container, an outer end opposite the inner end and a peripheral area extending between the outer and inner ends. A metal cover surrounds the peripheral area. A gas connection supplies gas to the outer end of the brick. Gas passages extend from the outer end of the brick to the inner end of the brick to supply gas to the interior of the metallurgical container. These gas passages are in the form of at least one arrangement of a fireproof ceramic fiber material extending between the outer and inner ends of the brick.

Abstract: A nozzle is disclosed for use in the decarburization of molten pig iron by means of a jet of oxygen from a lance provided with such nozzle. The nozzle according to the invention is characterized by a divergent portion which, beyond the neck, has a frustoconical part, with an apex angle of between 60.degree. and 70.degree. and preferably between 62.degree. and 66.degree., and wherein an angle of 65.degree. is preferred. The nozzle according to the invention can be used in particular for the decarburization of chromium containing pig iron and makes it possible to achieve very high chromium and iron yields.

Abstract: A tuyere for use in a metallurgical vessel comprising a first pipe adapted to be affixed to the wall of a metallurgical vessel and having a first end extending through the refractory lining of the vessel and a second end extending outwardly therefrom. A gas inlet member is affixed to the second end of the pipe and the second pipe is affixed to the gas inlet member and extends inwardly through the first pipe. The outer diameter of the second pipe is smaller than the inner diameter of the first pipe to provide a gap there between. Means are provided between the first and second pipes to maintain them in spaced-apart relation and the interior of the first pipe is filled with a material such as refractory.

Abstract: A gas-injection lance has a main tube centered on an axis and having a lower end formed adjacent the axis with a plurality of throughgoing inner orifices and an upper end to which is fed a treatment gas under pressure that pressurizes the interior of the tube therewith sufficiently that the gas exits from the lower end through the inner orifices at supersonic speed. An annular array of nozzles traversing the lower tube end around the inner orifices each have an outer end opening outside of the tube and an inner end inside the tube. Respective pressure-reducers each have one side open at the lower tube end inside the tube and another side connected to the inner end of a respective nozzle for passing gas from the interior of the tube into the nozzles with a substantial pressure reduction so that the gas exits from the outer ends of the nozzles at subsonic speed.

Abstract: A blowing tuyere to be embedded in a bottom of side wall of a molten metal bath container for blowing a gas thereinto, the tuyere including a cylindrical core body fixedly located at the center of the tuyere and an outer tube fixed concentrically around the core body with a gap of a predetermined width to form an annular blowing passage therebetween.

Abstract: A device for swirling, through the bottom of a converter for refining liquid metals, by oxygen lance blowing, consisting of a set of single tube tuyeres, located throughout the entire thickness of the refractory coating of the converter and wearing away with the latter. The tube constituting each of the tuyeres is flattened along the whole consumable length (1b) of the tuyere, the width of the internal cross-section for the passage of the gas in the flattened tube (1b) is, at most, equal to 1.0 mm and, preferably, approximately 0.5 mm, the head (1a) of each of said tubes, generally cylindrical, passes through a steel plate (5) to which it is brazed, and the steel plate (5) constitutes one of the walls of a distribution chamber (6) between the swirling gas tuyeres, supplied with gas through a duct (7), the chamber (6) being fixed by means of the plate (5) to the exterior surface of the sheathing (8) of the converter.

Abstract: A method and a means for introducing close-grained carbonaceous fuels, which are suspended in a carrier gas, and oxygen into an iron melting bath are described.In this method the fuel and the oxygen can be alternately introduced through the same introduction passage of a tuyere into an iron melting bath below the surface of the bath.The means provides for alternate supply of fuel or oxygen and is regulated by means of the oxygen line pressure.

Abstract: A process for the direct reduction of iron ore in a shaft furnace having an upper reducing zone and a lower cooling zone in which reducing gas is introduced to the furnace at the bottom of the reducing zone around the periphery of the furnace, exhausted reducing gas or top gas is removed from the top of the furnace, cleaned, mixed with additional hydrocarbons, and reinjected into the furnace below the reducing zone. The hot reducing gas is injected serially into different sectors of the cross-section of the furnace and at varying velocities to force upflowing cleaned top gas to change its flow path or its flow rate, or both, periodically. Apparatus for accomplishing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns an immersion-lance for introducing a finely-particulate solid material into a metal melt, by means of a carrier gas, the internal diameter of the lance being narrowed in the region of the outlet opening. The object in the invention is to produce a lance which is suitable both for the transport of solid material and for flushing with gas. This is achieved by the features that the lance (1) contains a restrictor (8) which can be moved coaxially with the outlet opening (3), this restrictor being located, in a first end position, at a distance from the outlet opening (3) such that an open cross-section remains which is suitable for the transport of the solid material, and this restrictor being located, in a second end position, so that it narrows the outlet opening to a cross-section suitable for the transport of the gas.

Abstract: A lance for blowing oxygen from above into a ladle of an iron foundry has a nozzle head with at least four main tuyeres of larger diameter and as many ancillary tuyeres of smaller diameter, the larger tuyeres serving to blow into the melt for decarburizing the metal while the smaller ones promote afterburning of the evolving carbon monoxide just above the melt surface. The axes of the main tuyeres are inclined to the nozzle-head axis at an angle of about 14.degree. to 17.degree. while the axes of the ancillary tuyeres have an angle of inclination exceeding that of the main tuyeres by about 30.degree. to 50.degree.. In order to slow down the air flow through the ancillary tuyeres with reference to the surface-penetrating jets of the main tuyeres, the former are provided with inner peripheral inlays or grooves of annular or helicoidal shape.

Abstract: A device for blowing gas under pressure into a bath of liquid metal comprises a mass of refractory material which is porous at least at an inner portion thereof and placed into a metallic container constituted by an outer metallic envelope closed at one of the ends thereof by a bottom member through a central portion of which a conduit extends for feeding a gas under pressure to the porous inner portion of the mass. A deflector is provided fluid-tightly connected to the bottom inwardly of the envelope in which the wall of the deflector extends parallel to that of the envelope but short of the length of the latter. This permits, on the one hand, to avoid penetration of liquid metal between the envelope and the mass of refractory material to a point where it would block the gas feeding conduit and, on the other hand, to canalize the gas through the porous portion of the mass. The present invention relates likewise to a method of making the above device.

Abstract: A tuyere for use in a blast furnace which includes choke means for adjusting the orifice of the tuyere to accomodate varying blast volumes. The choke fits into the tuyere and is adapted to move forward and backward as required by the blast.

Abstract: A holder for an oxygen lance characterized by at least one actuating device comprising an operating lever which is connected to a shut off valve.

Abstract: A tuyere sealing means and silencer having a bell-shaped nozzle. A plurality of cutouts are included in the nozzle and receive radially movable ramp-type valve elements which are adapted to engage with a seal with the plurality of a punch rod. The valve elements are moved radially outwardly of the nozzle against the force of spring means when the punch rod is inserted through the tuyere sealing means.

Abstract: A tuyere for the injection of both a refining gas such as oxygen into a melting or refining vessel, and a fluid protective medium such as a hydrocarbon gas or a liquid surrounding the injected refining gas, in which there is a solid center in the pipe through which the refining gas is suplied so that the refining gas enters the refining vessel as an annulus around which the protective fluid is disposed.The tuyere is installd in the refractory lining of the refining vessel and the fluids passing into the vessel through the tuyere are proportioned so that burning back of the tuyere and erosion or wear of the lining take place at the same rate.The protective medium cools the tuyere and avoids reactions between the refining gas and the tuyere material.

Abstract: A method of introducing powdered reagents into a molten metal in a stream of carrier gas through a tuyere disposed in a refractory lining of a metallurgical vessel, consisting in that powdered reagents are introduced into a molten metal at a feed rate of 0.04 to 0.6 kg. per sec. under a pressure of carrier gas which is 1.8 to 4.

Abstract: A sliding nozzle apparatus for blowing powdery treating agent in a molten metal vessel, in which a sliding plate consisting of refractory materials is provided with one or more of tuyeres for blowing powdery treating agent, and an upper nozzle consists of a gas permeable ceramic material.

Abstract: A tuyere for a melting furnace, which comprises inner and outer walls forming a water cooling space therebetween; a cylindrical intermediate wall dividing the water cooling space into an inner water cooling chamber and an outer water cooling chamber, whereby the cooling water is first introduced into the outer water cooling chamber from the outside of the furnace, circulated into the inner water cooling chamber from the inner end portion at the furnace side of the outer water cooling chamber and thereafter discharged from the outer end portion of the inner water cooling chamber; and a guide wall disposed in the outer water cooling chamber so as to form a helical passage for the cooling water, said helical passage being so devised that a portion of the passage located so as to be subjected to a relatively high heat load has a cross-sectional area smaller than that of other portions of the same.

Abstract: In a blast furnace tuyere, operating at subsonic velocity, an inner cylindrical air conduit is reduced to a frusto-conical conduit near the tuyere nose. A water cooled, pear-shaped, hollow body within the tuyere is held suspended by a bracket, in a centered position, where it exerts minimum interference with the pressurized fluid flowing partly through it and partly around it, having a cylindrical smaller conduit in such body and an annulus between the outer perimeter of such body and the inner wall of the cylindrical or conical conduit of the tuyere.The bracket slides parallel to the tuyere axis in guides, which are integral parts of the tuyere proper, thereby securing a centered position whenever the bracket is approaching to or retreating from the tuyere nose.

Abstract: An existing basic oxygen type top-blown steel converter vessel is transformed into a bottom-blown type where gases and finely divided materials may be blown into the vessel through tuyeres in its side wall and in its bottom. The existing trunnion shafts on which the existing vessel is supported for tilting are bored at the installation site to provide a plurality of passageways for conducting finely divided materials, gases and cooling water to the various tuyeres and to the trunnion ring which supports the vessel, respectively. Special multipurpose rotary joints are used to connect the tiltable vessel to sources of the gases and finely divided materials.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for feeding a liquid alloyed metal under protective atmosphere into a high speed continuous casting machine for casting a strip of alloyed metal, preferably calcium lead which is subsequently formed into battery grids and the like. The arrangement includes atmosphere tight holding and melting pots constructed of steel plates with submerged electrical heating elements, a level control arrangement for the liquid baths therein and a skid ramp in the melting pot for charging metal hogs therein.

Abstract: A tuyere assembly is provided which is especially useful in pneumatic steelmaking processes employing submerged blowing. This improved tuyere provides oxidizing or other gases at supersonic velocities while concomitantly employing pressures only slightly above that of the metal bath. Such supersonic velocities are achieved by the insertion, into a conventional tuyere, of a generally pear-shaped, double-cone object so as to provide a limiting throat section followed by an expansion chamber which permits the gases to exceed sonic velocity. By achieving supersonic velocities without the use of high inlet pressures, (i) a material decrease in refractory wear is achieved and (ii) higher gas flow rates are permitted without the occurrence of "spitting".