Abstract: A heat-insulating construction comprising a sealed empty chamber in which the external lower surface consists of a reflective surface, and a refractory fiber layer connecting to the lower side of said chamber.

Abstract: An industrial metallurgical delining assembly for dislodging and removing refractory or other material from upwardly open metallurgical process vessels. The assembly includes a spider-leg frame, the feet of which are supported on the upper periphery of the vessel, and supports a turntable over the top of the vessel. An extensible and articulatory boom depends from the turntable and selectively carries working tools at its free end for dislodging and removing material from the vessel. The vertical spacing between the uppermost end of the vessel and the turntable is sufficient to provide clearance for the boom to remove such dislodged material to a location outwardly from the vessel.

Abstract: A replaceable liner for a crucible for molten metal consists of an open-top receptacle having at least its side wall made of graphite foil formed earlier by compressing expanded graphite.

Abstract: A bottom outlet or discharge for metallurgical vessels includes a sleeve brick, a nozzle brick positioned in the sleeve brick, the nozzle brick having therethrough a discharge opening, and a highly wear-resistant tubular sleeve fitted within the discharge opening of the nozzle brick. The sleeve brick, the nozzle brick and the sleeve are formed of materials such that they have thermal expansions at 1400.degree. C. of from 1.0 to 1.15%, from 0.5 to 0.8% and from 1.1 to 1.25%, respectively.

Abstract: In a molten steel droplet scatter regulation cylinder for use in a vacuum steel casting system, for the object of prevention of growth of molten steel droplets into a solid steel block at the lower end portion of the cylinder to subsequently drop into the molten steel, deteriorating its internal properties, the cylinder has at least its lower end portion made of a material which has a small wetting property against the molten steel, e.g. carbides such as graphite, silicon carbide, etc. or refractory materials containing carbon, carbides, etc.

Abstract: A process for protecting carbon bodies against attack by molten silicon by applying a separating protective layer is provided which is characterized in that a separating layer is applied to the surface of the carbon body to be protected in such a manner as to wet it. The separating layer consists of alkaline earth metal fluorides in admixture with 0 to 90 mole % of alkaline earth metal silicates having a melting point lower than that of silicon.

Abstract: An apparatus for deskulling tundishes comprises a support for holding a tundish to be deskulled in upright or inverted position and an impact hammer mounted on a carriage and movable longitudinally and transversely relative to the tundish whereby the latter can be deskulled. The tundish, when deskulled, is tilted to tip the skull bricks into a pit.

Abstract: Molten metal handling vessels e.g. tundishes consist of an outer metal casing, a relatively permanent refractory lining and an inner disposible lining made of a plurality of slabs of refractory heat insulating material. Channels formed in the permanent lining adjacent the joints between the slabs or by rebates in the slabs are filled with refractory material, either preformed shapes or a refractory composition filled in situ. Such refractory material minimizes steel penetration through the joints between the slabs. The refractory material may contain carbonaceous material to enhance this antipenetration property.

Abstract: The thermal insulation in the bottom of an electrolytic cell for the production of metal by electrolysis of metal ore or ore derivatives is protected from attack by the corrosive elements in the electrolytic bath. The protection is provided by a layer of graphite sheet formed from expanded graphite which is placed on top of the insulation. Preferably the graphite rests on a thin steel sheet.

Abstract: Gas is injected into molten metal, such as aluminum, to purify the molten metal either of dissolved gases (degassing), or of dissolved solids such as magnesium ( "demagging"). The apparatus for accomplishing this injection contains two metallic bath chambers, the molten metal being transferred from one chamber to the other through a conduit. A gas injection conduit is connected to the metal transfer conduit at a location submerged within the first metallic bath chamber from which metal is transferred to the second chamber, and the gas to be injected is introduced through this gas injection conduit into a location submerged within the first metallic bath chamber.

Abstract: A furnace bottom construction comprises refractory blocks resting atop a seal in turn resting on the top surface of a layer of ramming material in which are embedded cooling ducts resting on a concrete foundation. The seal is composed of thin, fluid-impervious, flexible, ductile sheet material deformed to follow the contours and indentations of the top surface of the ramming material. The bottom surface of the seal and the top surface of the ramming material are in intimate contact along substantially the entire area of said top surface, with substantially no air gaps between the two.

Abstract: The lining of conically narrowing or widening walls with brick is facilitated by laying the brick in courses which are closed rings, the bricks subtending an angle of about 5.degree. to 30.degree. with respect to the horizontal.

Abstract: An electric furnace roof having spaced-apart, inner and outer, cooling-fluid-circulating refractory tile or block-carrying metal ring structures is provided with an upwardly offset, outwardly extending, roof ledge segment which, with an aligned, cooperating furnace side wall segment defines a smoke hole open portion to the furnace. The side wall segment of the furnace wall, with the roof segment, also provides an inner smoke chest that is open to the smoke hole portion, and has an upwardly enlarged funnel shape, and is metal reinforced. The roof segment is provided with a cooling water circulating loop system which may be independent of cooling means supplying inner and outer, radially spaced-apart, metal ring structures of the roof. The roof is adapted to be raised and lowered as a unit in a conventional manner with respect to the furnace wall and to be swung to one side thereof for scrap-charging and maintenance purposes.

Abstract: Shaft furnace having a shell, a refractory lining along at least part of its inner surface of a material which contains at least 50% free carbon, and which furthermore is provided with a water-cooled tuyere which is in contact with the refractory lining, including at least one extra layer of a material provided below the cooled tuyere in the refractory lining, over at least part of its thickness and substantially transversely to the direction towards the cooled tuyere which at the temperature of this layer during operation cannot locally react chemically with water and/or with the reaction products of water and carbon and a closed circular gutter which is connected to one or more de-watering openings through the shell, at least one of the extra layers at the side of the furnace shell being connected to said gutter.

Abstract: A molten metal container, e.g. a tundish, consists of an outer metal casing, usually a relatively permanent refractory lining and an inner expendable lining of refractory heat-insulating slabs, behind which slabs is a loose fill of particulate refractory material. In order that the loose fill material does not pass through the joints between the slabs, leaf-seals are provided at the joints between the slabs.

Abstract: A ceramic fiber module, suitable for lining furnaces, comprises a weldable (metallic or perforate refractory) backing and a number of ceramic fiber mats cemented to the backing by the edge of the mat, so as to leave a portion of the backing accessible between mats or on their perimeter, for welding. The weldable backing is welded to a metallic substrate, preferably by use of spherical attachments, to provide thermal protection to the metallic substrate.

Abstract: An unburnt refractory mass, which can be in the form of a brick, for use in vessels employed in metallurgical refining consisting essentially of chromium-ore, sintered magnesia and a carbon-containing binder, said mass consisting essentially of:75 to 95% by weight chromium ore having a Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 content of at least 30% by weight;0 to 19% sintered magnesia poor in iron content; and2 to 7% hard pitch combined with 1.5 to 5% carbon so as to provide an overall residual carbon of 3 to 6%.

Abstract: A wall element for furnaces useful in all types of metallurgical furnaces but particularly in electric arc steel refining furnaces is comprised of a metallic block defining a cooling circuit in the interior thereof and a lining of refractory bricks anchored firmly to the cooled metallic block. The metallic block carries anchoring lugs projecting from the internal face of the block, each lug consisting of a foot portion and a retaining portion, which is constituted by an enlarged end of the foot portion opposite the internal face. Each refractory brick has a face adjacent the internal face of the metallic block and defining a recessed portion of a cross section matching that of a corresponding one of the anchoring lugs.

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: In the operation of a furnace for the production of iron or steel, the air preheater and the pipe communicating the preheater with the furnace are constructed of steel shells lined with an acid-resisting cement, with refractory lining overlying the cement. The acid-resisting cement is composed of quartz sand and refractory material in the form of hollow spheres, silicate binder, and hardener. The spheres are 10 - 40 vol.% of the total volume of quartz sand and spheres.

Abstract: A tundish is described in which a refractory lined metal casing has an inner expendable lining. In the impact area, there is a pad of erosion resistant and sacrificial material. According to the invention, a body of refractory material of high thermal conductivity is located below the pad to conduct heat away therefrom.

Abstract: The invention provides a tundish comprising a casing having a floor, including an impact area, and upstanding sidewalls, the casing having a permanent refractory lining, and at least one expendable beam of refractory heat insulating material extending between opposite sides of the casing adjacent the impact area. Generally the refractory heat insulating material is one comprising a major proportion of particulate refractory, a minor proportion of fibrous material and an organic binder. In the tundish there may be two pairs of said beams to bridge opposite sides of the casing, one pair being located at the sides of the impact area in or on the floor of the casing and the other vertically above the first, adjacent the top of each sidewall.

Abstract: A refractory lining for a vessel holding pig iron comprises magnesite-chromite bricks containing from 15-30%, by weight, of chromic oxide. The chromite is so highly dissolved in the brick mass that it has no more than a 12%, by volume, residue of chromite.

Abstract: A tundish for the continuous casting of steel characterized by lining thereto a moulding which consists of 50-80% by weight of a refractory which bases on silicic anhydride having approximately less than 100 mesh, 2-10% by weight of a refractory clay, 8-20% by weight of a refractory fibrous material and/or a porous refractory and 4-10% by weight of an organic binder, and if necessary 6-10% by weight of a refractory other than silicic anhydride.

Abstract: A metallurgical shaft furnace for producing metal from a charge which enhances the preheating capacity of upwardly flowing gases in an upper preheating portion of the furnace, the upper portion being formed from concentric sections which increase in diameter from the uppermost section to the lowermost section of the preheating portion of the furnace. Troughs are formed where adjacent sections meet to form cooling rings around the upper portion, the rings projecting inwardly from the furnace wall. The lower portion comprises a melting portion having tuyeres, a hearth and tap means. Vertical cooling conduits may be provided in the lower section with conduits adjacent each tuyere terminating above the tuyere to prevent damage to the conduits.

Abstract: In a metallurgical furnace having a shaft heating section for use with sized material, an improvement wherein a plurality of projections is formed on the interior wall of the preheat zone of the furnace. The length of the projections is equal to 5 to 15% of the diameter of the shaft and the projections are spaced from each other a distance equal to two to ten times the length thereof. The projections may be formed as concentric rings around the interior wall of the preheat zone of the furnace or as a continuous helix formed on the interior wall. If desired, cooling tubes may be placed within the projections.

Abstract: A refractory composition suitable for nozzle gunning, particularly onto hot surfaces, is made from sized refractory aggregate, bentonite, aluminum sulfate, and hydrated lime. Preferably the weight ratio of aluminum sulfate to hydrated lime is about 2.7.

Abstract: A furnace for producing steel from steel scrap and the like is constructed in a manner such that the interior surface of the furnace wall upward from a level spaced apart by a predetermined distance from the surface of a slag layer formed on the molten steel is lined with carbonaceous bricks, and water-cooling means are provided in this part of the furnace wall.

Abstract: A liner for a molten metal receiving tundish in the form of appropriately sized and shaped inserts formed of insulating and/or exothermic containing materials replaces the usual brick lining of the metal tundish or may be installed thereover so that molten metal poured therein will not freeze or scull during the pouring or immediately thereafter by being kept out of contact with the metal tundish or the conventional refractory brick lining thereof. The liner acts to fully protect the tundish interior from molten metal contact or penetration. The inserts forming the liner are consumable at a predetermined rate and are expendible with each pour.

Abstract: A shaft furnace having a refractory-lined wall at least part of which is provided with liquid-cooled cooling plates which extend into the lining and are grouped in a plurality of horizontal planes. The cooling plates in each plane are in heattransfer contact with an associated ring extending around the furnace which consists of refractory material of a first kind having a heat conductivity coefficient (.lambda.) at 20.degree.C. of at least 25 kilocalories/hour.meter..degree.C. The interior face of the lining also is provided at least partly by refractory material of a second kind which has high resistance to wear and chemical attack and has a minimum reaction temperature (Tu) of at least 600.degree.C. and a heat conductivity coefficient (.lambda.) at 20.degree.C. of at least 8 kilocalories/hour.meter..degree.C.