Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system of sized bricks for lining spherical bottoms, especially of metallurgical vessels, wherein the individual sized bricks are defined by six, essentially flat surfaces, namely, the fire-side surface, the cold-side surface, the two lateral surfaces, as well as the inner and outer surfaces, and the said sized bricks are intended for arrangement in concentric rings wherein the sized bricks within each of these rings join each other with their lateral surfaces, and wherein the outer surfaces of the sized bricks of one ring border on the inner surfaces of the sized bricks of the next ring.

Abstract: A method for increasing the durability of refractory linings in vessels having inclined areas or conical parts in their inside contour includes in fitting the refractory bricks obliquely following the inside contour of the vessel. The slant of the bricks is brought about step by step by several layers of machine-pressable turning bricks of known uniform density. This method makes it possible to obtain softer transitions from the horizontally laid bricks to the obliquely laid bricks.

Abstract: An energy efficient closure system is provided for minimizing heat loss through an elongate, horizontally extending furnace opening that is utilized to admit elongate charges of material, to the interior of a furnace. The system utilizes a plurality of depending, individually mounted, independently pivoted, inwardly curved, insulated door components that are arranged in a side-by-side array and that are biased by gravity so as to normally close the furnace opening. In preferred practice, the system also utilizes a curtain of insulation that depends from a water-cooled support pipe that extends horizontally through the upper part of the door opening, with the curtain being formed by a plurality of depending bats of insulation arranged in a substantially contiguous, side-by-side array.

Abstract: A lip closure apparatus includes a plurality of arcuate lip closure segments interfitted into a continuous ring and disposed on the top end of a stack of refractory bricks mounted in a metallurgical vessel. At least one metal reinforcement grid is disposed within each lip closure segment at a predetermined angle with respect to the normal fracture planes of each closure segment to resist fracture of the lip closure segment. Preferably, the grid is oriented substantially perpendicular to the normal fracture planes of the lip closure segments. A quantity of crushable material is disposed between the outer side surface of each lip closure segment and a flange extending at an angle from the side wall over the open top end of the vessel to maintain the lip closure segments in a tight fit on top of the lining of refractory bricks.

Abstract: Ladle covers are insulated with refractory ceramic fiber modules. An outer portion of a lower part of the cover conforming to the shape of the ladle rim is insulated with trapezoidal modules. A central portion beneath the cover within the outer portion is insulated with rectangular modules, which may be of less thickness than the trapezoidal modules.

Abstract: An inner tube for use in a semiconductor diffusion furnace is provided comprising a liner or diffusion tube and an insulating layer formed on the entire outer surface of the tube by spraying, typically plasma spraying. The sprayed insulating layer is resistant to deterioration and peeling, ensuring an extended period of service for the tube.

Abstract: A degresser snorkel for circulating molten metal from a ladle to a vacuum vessel to thereby degas the molten metal. The degasser snorkel includes an outer castable layer lined over the outer surface of a stainless steel snorkel can. An inner refractory lining is secured to the inner surface of the snorkel can by pressure grout. A plurality of grout keys in the form of annular bands are secured to the inner surface of the steel can and cooperate with the grout in supporting the inner refractory lining. The refractory lining is formed of a plurality of interlocking refractory bricks, each of which has an hour glass-like shape. A plurality of annular rows of the interlocking bricks are built-up to thus form the inner refractory lining.

Abstract: Molten steel in tundishes can be contacted with high surface area ceramic shapes which remove the alumina and other impurities contained in steel. Certain ceramic shapes, in particular tundish baffles, having a large surface area which acts as alumina traps for molten steel contained in tundishes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A high temperature vessel, such as a ladle for containing molten metal, comprises a metal outer shell and a refractory inner lining. The interior of the vessel has a curved cross-section in a plane transverse to the center line of the vessel, and there is an opening at one end of the vessel. There can be forces which urge the refractory lining toward the open end, and structure is provided at the open end to retain the refractory lining in place against the urging of those forces. The retaining structure comprises an end course of refractory retaining bricks and metal retaining member thermally protected by the end course. The metal retaining member holds the end course in place, and the end course cooperates with retaining member to hold the vessel's refractory lining in place. The metal retaining member has a protrusion preferably with a curved outer surface, and each retaining brick has a recess with a curved inner surface, devoid of sharp angles or corners, for receiving the protrusion.

Abstract: Attachment structure is provided for mounting refractory ceramic fiber insulation units as components of ladle preheater insulating and sealing rings. The attachment structure provides a natural keying action with radial sliding motion of the insulation units during installation. The structure is particularly suitable for use on surfaces which are warped or uneven.

Abstract: The invention relates to preformed, shaped, refractory, heat-insulating articles for use in an expendable sidewall lining of a molten metal handling vessel. The lining has a face at part of which is exposed a zone of matter of high resistance to erosion by molten metal and accompanying slag. The vessel may be e.g. a tundish for use in the continuous casting of molten metal e.g. steel.

Abstract: A lining for use in an aluminum reverberatory furnace or the like for heating molten aluminum in a cavity which cavity is formed by a roof, sidewalls and a bottom which are to be lined with refractory materials. The lining comprises a band of hot face refractory material around the interior periphery of the cavity sidewalls for contacting molten aluminum in the furnace at the normal operating levels of the upper surface of the molten aluminum. A layer of backup refractory material is interposed between the furnace shell and the band of hot face refractory material.

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 side-injected metal refining vessel having improved lining life having a defined refractory lining orientation in the area above a tuyere.

Abstract: A casing assembly includes a nozzle brick to form part of a wall of a metallurgical vessel. The nozzle brick has therethrough a conical opening defined by a conical inner surface. A casing to be inserted into the conical opening has a truncated conical shape including a conical outer surface and an axially extending flow through opening. The conical opening and the casing have coaxial center axes, and the conical inner and outer surfaces extend at equal angles of inclination to such axes. The conical inner surface is jacketed with a thin metal shell having a conical shape with the same inclination as that of the conical inner and outer surfaces.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for installing a converter bottom, using not only bottom bricks of commercial brick formats but also shaped and fitting bricks, the largest area on a bottom plate being lined with bottom bricks of commercial brick formats, leaving a space free. After the bottom has been inserted into the converter, shaped bricks are laid one beside the other in the free edge area adjacent to the converter walling, the sides of these bricks facing the converter walling being fitted to the curvature of the converter walling. These shaped bricks are of a size such that a free space exceeding one joint width remains between each shaped brick and the adjacent bottom brick. Fitting bricks true to dimensions are laid in these free spaces.

Abstract: Sealing rings are provided for ladle preheaters. The rings are mounted for relative movement into a stable, suspended position over the primary lining. Refractory fiber insulation is provided in the form of modules on an outer support ring. The rings seal about the ladle rim adjacent burner and flue openings of the preheater. Since the sealing ring may move over the primary lining, the ladle rim forms a seal with the modules and also forces the support ring into a second seal with the primary lining when the lining is refractory ceramic fiber.

Abstract: A leg is fitted through a joint material into each of a pair of vertical openings on a bottom wall of a vacuum tank for refining molten steel, for protecting the vertical openings from molten steel. The abovementioned leg has an annular inner wall formed by piling up through a joint material a plurality of magnesia-chrome fired radial bricks in a plurality of horizontal annular rows arranged one on the other so as to form an inner bore for passing molten steel therethrough. The leg also has an annular outer wall formed by piling up through a joint material a plurality of magnesia-chrome fired radial bricks in a plurality of horizontal rows arranged one on the other so as to cover substantially the entire outer surface of the annular inner wall. The inner surface of the annular outer wall is in contact with the outer surface of the annular inner wall through a joint material.

Abstract: A runner system for receiving and conveying molten slag at the end of an iron pour includes a permanent trough-like construction in which precast side wall panels are removably positioned together with a rammed in place bottom between the side wall panels to form a runner system capable of resisting the increased corrosive properties of slag and having a predetermined life.

Abstract: A refractory assembly for use in a roof in an ore reduction furnace is provided having a pair of refractory blocks with matchable corrugated surfaces. A corrugated plate is provided, with its corrugations having the same wavelength as and a different amplitude than the block corrugations. The plate is bound between the corrugated surfaces of the blocks so that the blocks are spaced apart by and supported on the plate. In the preferred embodiment, the corrugations are sine waves with the plate sine wave having an amplitude greater than the sine wave of the blocks. The entire assembly may be suspending as part of a furnace roof.

Abstract: Ladles and the like into which hot metal is teemed are refractory lined to withstand the high-temperature effects of the hot metal. Prior to teeming of the hot metal into the ladle, the ladle is heated by applying a flame to the interior thereof, which flame is provided by a burner that directs the flame through a ladle cover plate having a substantially flat surface covered with heat-insulating refractory material, which surface is brought into sealing engagement with the ladle. This seal minimizes the amount of heat energy that escapes from the ladle to render the preheating operation more efficient. The rim of the ladle, which contacts in sealing engagement the heat-insulating refractory material of the ladle cover plate, causes wear and damage to the heat-insulating refractory material.

Abstract: A runner system for receiving and conveying molten slag at the end of an iron pour includes a permanent trough-like construction in which a precast channel-shaped unitary liner is removably positioned so as to form a runner system capable of resisting the increased corrosive properties of slag and having a predetermined life.

Abstract: Sealing rings for ladle preheaters. The rings may be either fixedly or removably mounted with the ladle preheater frame. The rings seal about the ladle rim adjacent burner and flue openings of the preheater. Refractory fiber insulation is provided for insulating the space between the rim of the ladle and the preheater to prevent hot gas escaping. The refractory fiber is arranged into trapezoidal units which are easily installed and replaced.

Abstract: The present invention includes a plurality of ceramic oxide wall panels which are defined by a thickness dimension, depth dimension, and width dimension. The ceramic oxide panels are beveled along their width sides so that when they are held together along their width sides, they form a closed plane, that is a polygon or a substantial circle configuration. At each abutment position of two adjacent wall panels, there is formed an abutment angle. In addition a plurality of overlap support panels of ceramic oxide is employed and each is formed to have an angle which fits over an associated one of said abutment angles. Each overlap support panel is secured to, and partially overlays, two abutting wall panels, thus providing support for said two adjacent abutting wall panels. In a preferred embodiment each overlap support panel abuts two adjacent support panels.

Abstract: A brickwork construction is disclosed as specifically useful for making the gas distribution chamber of a shaft kiln. In this construction the collapse of the wall into the shaft kiln is prevented by using bricks which are thinner at one end than the other and are laid to make a wall in which there is a straight inner surface to the shaft kiln and an arched side to the gas distribution chamber.

Abstract: A forge furnace chamber has rear, side and top walls each defined by an expanded sheet metal member and U-shaped mats of ceramic fiber insulating material supported thereon. First ones of the U-shaped mats have the closed ends thereof abutting the corresponding expanded sheet metal member with the legs of each mat extending inwardly of the chamber, and second ones of the mats have their closed ends facing inwardly of the chamber with the legs of each mat receiving the adjacent legs of an adjacent pair of the first mats therebetween, whereby the closed ends of the second mats extend across the inner ends of the adjacent legs of the first mats. The interleaved mats of insulating material are supported on the corresponding expanded sheet metal member by metal rods extending between the legs of the first mats adjacent the closed ends thereof and wire ties fastening the rods to the expanded sheet metal member.

Abstract: In a process for forming the bottom of a metallurgical container, especially the bottom of a converter for refining pig iron, of the type which comprises a metallic base, at least one layer of refractory material superimposed on the metallic base, a first layer of refractory bricks superimposed on the layer of refractory material, and a second layer of refractory bricks on said first layer, the steps of placing, spaced from each other, on said first layer a plurality of refractory elements permeable to gas and each enclosed in a metal casing open at the top, circumferentially surrounding the metal casing of each of the elements with bricks of a material which expands during rise of the temperature and thereafter completing the second layer with refractory bricks.

Abstract: A holding furnace for molten metal comprises an inner vessel formed of flat, rigid, heat-resistant panels. The panels are held in sealing engagement with one another at abutting edge surfaces by the action of inwardly directed pressure applied to the panels by an integrally cast refractory outer vessel through the intermediary of a resilient layer of heat-resistant fibrous material. The pressure is applied as a result of the shrinking that the casting compound undergoes during the setting. When the inner vessel is being made, the panels, to which the resilient layer has initially been applied, are held together by the action of a reduced pressure in the inner vessel as the latter is positioned in a furnace casing interiorly lined with a mineral wool insulation. The inner vessel then is cast around with a refractory casting compound for forming the outer vessel.

Abstract: A furnace to contain molten zinc, molten aluminum, or other molten metal has an outer vessel, an inner vessel, and particulate matter packed therebetween so as to enable the inner vessel to be lifted readily from the outer vessel. Electrical conductors are imbedded in said matter and arranged to close an electrical circuit including a signalling means if bridged by any molten metal leaking from the inner vessel. The furnace is provided with a removable bonnet, a beam mounted across the inner vessel, and a partition mounted to and beneath the beam so as to extend into the molten metal deeply. The inner and outer vessels, the removable bonnet, and the beam are insulative. The partition is a good conductor of heat.

Abstract: A construction for the cone section zone of oxygen converter vessels consisting of a plurality of courses of refractory brick having a parallelogram configuration to provide a smooth surface for the working lining face.

Abstract: The lining for a metallurgical container comprises a series of removable plates of heat insulating material designed to be applied to the inside of the metallurgical container against the lateral walls and the bottom of the latter, at least a part of these plates being quadrangular and identical. The quadrangular and identical plates include on their two opposite edges a rib extending over a major fraction of the length of the corresponding edge, this rib defining a support surface designed to receive an identical rib formed along the adjacent edge of another plate. Each plate includes also, on the remaining fraction of the length of said edge, a protuberance defining a support surface oriented in the opposite direction with respect to that of the rib, the support surface of this protuberance being designed to receive an identical protuberance formed on the adjacent edge of another plate. The invention is particularly useful for the internal coating of casting distributors or tundishes.

Abstract: A method of lining an interior surface of a furnace with roll-type insulation by attaching a plurality of hooks onto the interior surface to be lined, folding back portions of the roll-type insulation on themselves to create folds in the roll-type insulation, and pressing the folds onto the hooks to thereby attach the roll-type insulation to the interior surface. Each of the plurality of hooks includes a hook member for passage through portions of the roll-type insulation. Each hook member is fixedly attached to the interior surface of the furnace either by being welded directly thereto when the interior surface of the furnace is metal or by being fixedly attached to a plate member which is in turn bolted, riveted, or otherwise fixedly attached to the interior surface of the furnace. The hook member includes a leg portion having a pointed first end for passage through the roll-type insulation and having a second end.

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: An improved blast furnace for heating granular materials is provided of the "CCR" type which includes two similar stacks disposed side by side, one of which heats the goods by direct current while the discharging gases escape from the other parallel unheated stack in a countercurrent manner. Both of the stacks are provided with an annular channel between the heating and cooling zones thereof which is formed by hollow generally cylindrical members which are connected with each other by cross-intersecting channels. These cylinders are suspended in the enlarged bosh-like lower ends of the stacks by supports which do not extend below the cylinder members, so as to minimize damage to the supports.

Abstract: An industrial furnace with insulating walls comprising side-by-side pre-formed panels each including a plurality of ceramic insulating modules. The side wall panels include vertical buckstays to which the modules are secured by retainer clips including sharp spikes inserted into side edge surfaces of the insulating modules. Modules with offset stepped side profiles are disclosed, arranged to provide for ready removal of a single module without disturbing adjacent modules. Atmosphere furnace insulation arrangements also are disclosed utilizing ceramic modules secured to the furnace shell by special retainer clips embedded in side edge surfaces of the modules.

Abstract: A hearth structure of an oxygen-bottom-blowing converter comprises hearth bricks including a number of brick row units, each of which is provided with or without one tuyere therein to eliminate thermal stresses otherwise be caused by two tuyeres included in one brick row unit. The hearth bricks preferably include at least one row of bricks not including a tuyere arranged between the brick row units. Bricks around tuyeres are unburned magnesia-carbon or magnesia-dolomite-carbon bricks including an amount of carbon 7-35%, preferably 10-30% or the most preferably 20% by weight and including magnesia or magnesia-dolomite as grains and thicknesses of refractory mortar as joints between the bricks corresponding to 0.5-2.5% of the maximum width of the bricks, thereby improving the durability of the hearth structure and hence the converter.

Abstract: A steel refining furnace and refractories therefor having improved thermal conductivity may be achieved by the use of refractory bricks containing 31/2 to 51/2% residual carbon and having metal plates and the like associated therewith externally and, in many instances, internally. The cold face of the brick should be protected by a metal shell. Such a brick will have high thermal conductivity to achieve a cooler hot face of the basic oxygen furnace lining whereby to improve and decrease the rate of slag erosion in the furnace and to improve the thermal shock resistance of the refractory lining. An improved furnace is realized by utilizing the novel brick in specific areas thereof such as under the lip ring and in the trunion areas.

Abstract: A refractory furnace lining or like wall structure is built as a dry wall from unfired, relatively large and heavy, basically rectangular blocks fitted closely together and tied by refractory rod-like keys in opposed pairs of grooves in the blocks. A wall built of such blocks is fired in situ.

Abstract: A substantially planar slab has two opposite edges castellated in such fashion that two such slabs may be interengaged with the slabs in the same plane with the castellations of one edge of one slab interfitting the castellations on the other edge of the other slab. The sides of the castellations are inclined in a direction not normal to the plane of a major face of the slab. Such slabs are useful for lining containers for molten metal, and when forming such a lining all joint faces of the interengaging castellations not lying in vertical planes can be arranged to slope downwardly away from the interior of the molten metal container. The thickness of the slabs, the angle of the castellations, the period of the castellations and the inclination of the slabs can be so chosen relative to the angle of repose of a loose fill of refractory material under the slabs that the loose fill particulate refractory material does not penetrate the joints between adjacent slabs.

Abstract: A tile for lining an ingot mould or a hot-top box for the ingot mould has a back face for abutting the mould or box wall and four regions defined by the profiling of the front face. The lower region and a higher region are shaped so as to enable the molten metal within the mould or box to solidify with a "bottle-top" structure. An upper region above the higher region is shaped to maintain any anti-piping compound completely covering the molten metal as it solidifies. There is a top region above the upper region and the top region is of constant cross-section. The lower, higher and upper regions are shaped so that in the lined mould, or box a cavity is formed which decreases in cross-section from the top of the mould or box to a minimum cross-section,the cavity gradually widening in cross-section below this point. The tile may be made in two portions to assist transportation, the tile being assembled in situ.

Abstract: A blast furnace hearth constructed of carbon blocks and having an initially dished upper face. The hearth includes a plurality of courses of full carbon beams and a plurality of courses of stub carbon beams. Each course of the latter extends from the outer wall toward the center of the furnace, and the stub beams of each course are progressively shorter from the lowermost upwardly. The hearth provides longer life without requiring proportionately as much carbon as a flat hearth of equivalent life.

Abstract: The invention relates to refractory shapes for use in the lowermost courses of the walls of ladles and the like where an adjustment for a taper may be necessary.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, the useful life of a refractory lining of a substantially cylindrical metallurgical vessel is significantly increased by the use of T-shaped bricks disposed on their face surfaces in an intermeshing relationship wherein some of the adjoining surfaces of adjacent bricks are coincident with a radius of the vessel and the other adjoining surfaces are concentric therewith. This invention extends the life of the vessel by delaying the initial failure of the mortar and then delaying leakage of the molten metal through the refractory lining once the mortar has failed.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to alumina reduction cells which employ refractory materials to provide a molten-aluminum contacting surface for the cathode. Specifically, configurations and methods are described according to which refractory hard metal tiles are secured to a carbonaceous substrate to produce composites suitable for constructing a molten-aluminum contacting surface for the use stated. The tiles are wettable by molten aluminum and are inert chemically to the reduction cell electrolyte. Configurations for coupling and interlocking such tiles are also described. When the tiles are coupled or interlocked in the manner taught, it is possible to achieve a built-up refractory surface which remains chemically and mechanically stable in a reduction cell environment.

Abstract: A construction for the cone section zone of oxygen converter vessels consisting of a plurality of courses of refractory brick having a parallelogram configuration to provide a smooth surface for the working lining face.