Abstract: A drill rod, left in place in the plug of a taphole of a shaft furnace, is withdrawn by apparatus including a conventional percussive type taphole drill which is movable along a support bar. The support bar is provided, at the end which most closely approaches the furnace, with a guide and support head which engages and supports the drill rod as it is being withdrawn subsequent to loosening from the plugging material in the taphole.

Abstract: The subject invention or inventions involves providing a device which serves to substantially retard or prevent the flow of slag through a taphole of a furnace or other vessel containing molten steel, thereby improving the quality or grade of the metal. The device comprises a plug which is of such a character that when inserted in a taphole and the furnace is tilted the taphole will move to a position below the level of the layer of slag until the plug is disintegrated or destroyed by the metal to automatically allow substantially only the latter to enter and flow through the taphole or passage.

Abstract: A blast furnace taphole plugging composition comprising a coal tar binder, a refractory filler and a very heavy aromatic petroleum oil which fails to polymerize at the high heating rates experienced during normal application of the taphole mix to the taphole. Preferred aromatic petroleum oils useful in the present invention have a minimum boiling temperature of 700.degree. F. and above and a boiling range between 700.degree. F. and 1000.degree. F. Methods of making and using such plasticized tar bonded blast furnace taphole mixes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mechanical punching apparatus for punching tuyeres in which the position of punching rods is varied in a one action in correspondence to movement of the tuyere and in which the mechanical puncher, a carriage and a puncher tilting device are readily accessible for overhaul and maintenance. A mechanical puncher including punching rods assemblies is mounted on a carriage which moves on rails along the longitudinal direction of a converter. A link structure is arranged between the puncher and the carriage for tilting and moving the puncher with the movement being restricted along a predetermined locus having a center at the center of rotation of the converter. The link includes first and second sets of levers disposed between the carriage and puncher with a coupling rod pivotally coupled between levers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for repairing the worn tap hole of a steel converter to restore same to a desired diameter wherein elongated jet spray means are placed centrally into and in close proximity to the surface of the damaged tap hole and thereafter refractory mortar repair material is sprayed against the surface of the inner circumference of the worn tap hole wall to restore the diameter of same to the desired dimension.

Abstract: A taphole in a blast furnace is plugged up by charging a mud into the taphole, driving a steel rod into the mud by means of an opener, stopping the driving of the steel rod into the mud when a rear end of the steel rod positions in the middle of the furnace wall and again charging a mud into a cavity behind the rear end of the steel rod embedded in the mud.

Abstract: An air blast type slag cut-off device for steel converter, adapted for jetting compressed air or gas from a nozzle toward the tap hole of the steel converter to force the slag coming out of the tap hole back into the steel converter. The device has a shut-off valve disposed at a portion of the high-pressure gas pipe just upstream from and in the close proximity of the nozzle. The high-pressure gas pipe and an operating fluid supply pipe for operating the shut-off valve are connected to respective sources through a common rotary joint or through independent flexible hoses, so that the steel converter can be tilted smoothly while maintaining the fluid communication between the pipes and respective sources. The time lag of jetting of the air or gas from the nozzle is minimized thanks to the reduced length of the passage between the shut-off valve and the nozzle.

Abstract: A method and installation is disclosed for the replacement of a bottom closure of a track-mounted pugh-type transfer ladle having a transfer container supported by two longitudinally spaced-apart bogies which are pivotally attached to the transfer container for swinging movement about a vertical axis, the transfer container having a removable bottom closure located between said bogies. The ladle is moved longitudinally of itself and the two bogies are directed on to different tracks which are spaced from each other to thereby swing the bogies relative to the transfer container and increase the longitudinal space between the bogies; and thereafter the closure is replaced from below through the resulting increased space.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for suppressing formation of pollutants in a blast furnace casting system by occluding oxidizing gases, including ambient air, from the molten iron and slag discharged from the furnace.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling the nozzle damper (slide valve) of a vessel for the metallurgical casting, in response of the variation of the molten metal level of the volume of molten metal tapped from said vessel the nozzle opening is stepwise controlled in response to, the value of the vertical level of the molten metal above said nozzle damper at the respective tapping time or after the respective tapping period with the molten metal volume calculated from the time integral of the respective previous actual damper opening areas.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining when the cast of a blast furnace is substantially completed in a blast furnace cast system wherein direct viewing of the taphole is obstructed during the cast. In a system wherein viewing of the taphole is obstructed by hood means covering the iron trough, substantial completion of the cast may be determined by sensing changes in ambient conditions, e.g., a change in temperature within the hood means, vibration of the hood, and/or a change in the color of the flame generated at the discharge end of a slag runner.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for punching the tuyeres of a converter with a mechanical puncher mounted upon a carriage running on rails. Light intercepting plates encoded by light transmission holes are disposed opposite each tuyere. Light is shone towards the light intercepting plates and detected on the opposite side thereof by photoelectric elements the outputs of which are coupled to a digital processor which controls the speed and position of the carriage. The mechanical puncher has two cylinders each of which drives two punching rods to successively punch the tuyeres. If it is impossible to punch a tuyere with the mechanical puncher were moving in one direction, the position of the puncher is shifted by one tuyere to start the punching again in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An automatic arrangement in which the intermittent tapping of liquid molten slag from the hearth of a slagging coal gasifier vessel (30) through a tap orifice (32) into a slag quench chamber (31) is selectively controlled by a system of timers (T1, T2, T3), the differential pressure between the gasifier vessel (30) and the quench chamber (31) being measured (22) and deviations from the expected measurements caused by malfunctions being used to override the timer system until the malfunctions have been corrected.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method which can efficiently repair the tap hole of a converter even under high temperature. The method employs an injection pipe of a unique construction for applying refractory material onto the inner surface of the tap hole. Such injection pipe is of a circular cylindrical construction and is provided with a pipe cooling means and, preferably, with a perforated mold sleeve which encases the injection pipe. Due to such construction, the refractory material charged into the injection pipe can be smoothly and uniformly injected through an injection opening formed at the front portion of the injection pipe and apertures of the perforated mold sleeve onto the inner surface of the tap hole, whereby thus applied refractory material can show the improved adhesion rate and properties while defining a predetermined optimal diameter to the tap hole after the repairing operation.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method and an apparatus which can efficiently repair the tap hole of a converter even under high temperature. The method and apparatus employ an injection pipe of a unique construction for applying refractory material onto the inner surface of the tap hole. Such injection pipe is of a circular cylindrical construction and is provided with a pipe cooling means and, preferably, with a perforated mold sleeve which encases the injection pipe. Due to such construction, the refractory material charged into the injection pipe can be smoothly and uniformly injected through an injection opening formed at the front portion of the injection pipe and apertures of the perforated mold sleeve onto the inner surface of the tap hole, whereby thus applied refractory material can show the improved adhesion rate and properties while defining a predetermined optimal diameter to the tap hole after the repairing operation.

Abstract: A method of opening tapholes in a phosphorus furnace through which molten slag and metal are periodically removed comprises shooting one or more slugs into the taphole to fracture and break out the solidified material.

Abstract: In order to unchoke the casting outlet of a vessel such as a casting ladle fitted with a casting tube for transferring molten metal to a tundish, a feed pipe is engaged in a lateral opening formed in the upper portion of the casting tube and guided within the tube until the end of the feed pipe opens in the vicinity of the casting outlet. The feed pipe is then connected to a supply of oxygen or similar oxidizing gas which is discharged in a jet onto the mass of solidified metal which obstructs the outlet. After the outlet has been cleared by melting of the mass of metal, the feed pipe is withdrawn and the lateral opening of the casting tube is sealed-off.

Abstract: A compact apparatus for drilling and plugging a tap hole of a shaft furnace, the furnace including a tap channel through which molten metal may flow, the tap channel extending from the tap hole in a direction generally radially with respect to the axis of the furnace. The apparatus for drilling and plugging the tap hole includes a drilling device and a plugging device, each device mounted on the end of an arm, the arm pivotably mounted about an axis inclined from the vertical to allow movement of the devices in an inclined plane between a position of retraction and a position of operation. The arm of the drill device and the arm of the plugging device are positioned on one side of the tap channel and are installed on the tap floor. The axes of the drill and plugging devices are tilted with respect to each other and with respect to the vertical to allow the device nearest to the furnace to pass over the device farthest from the furnace when both devices are in the retracted position.

Abstract: A stream of molten metal is monitored as to emitted radiation to detect the onset of inclusion of slag for stopping the stream.

Abstract: A method of closing phosphorus furnace tapholes which comprises applying pneumatic pressure at the taphole opening to force molten material in the boretube back into the furnace and then introducing sand particles through the taphole to meet and effect solidification of incoming molten furnace material thereby sealing off the inner opening of the boretube and filling the remainder of the boretube with sand. Tapping is readily accomplished by blowing out the loose sand and breaking the inner seal of solidified furnace material.

Abstract: Removal of molten slag from combustion chambers for combustion of combustible gases containing entrained slag-forming particulates, is frequently a problem since the slag tends to solidify in the tap-hole resulting in bridging and eventual pluggage of the tap-hole. This invention eliminates this problem by providing a dam around the periphery of the tap-hole of sufficient height to maintain a pool of molten slag on the inclined bottom of the combustion chamber to a depth whereby said slag pool is an effective heat sink to maintain the molten slag in flowable condition, and by providing in the dam at least one inclined drain trough which over-hangs the tap-hole a sufficient distance to minimize contact of draining slag with the walls of the tap-hole.

Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for closing a tap hole of a metallurgical vessel for separating metal and slag compressed gas is introduced into the tap hole after the metal has been poured off, the gas being introduced in a direction contrary to the pouring-off direction of the metal. The gas is introduced in such a manner that air is sucked inwardly along the mouth of the tap hole to aid in the burning-off of deposits around such mouth.

Abstract: A method of plugging phosphorus tapholes with a plug of matted ceramic fibers such as alumina-silica fibers wherein closure is effected by placing the ceramic plug, in the shape of a hollow cone, over a backing plug which is then inserted into the furnace taphole by means of a long handle attached to the base of the backing plug. The backing plug is maintained in place until molten furnace material solidifies against the plug thereby sealing off the taphole. Before the furnace is ready to be tapped, the backing plug is removed and the ceramic plug burned out with an oxygen lance.

Abstract: A stopper plug for a converter tap hole comprising a molding of a refractory material, a fibrous substance and a binder.