Abstract: An improved molten metal furnace including an enlarged buffer plate of nickel-based superalloy material which seals and separates the furnace burners from the product to be heated. The seal from the buffer plate provides for the creation of a generally inert atmosphere for the bath of molten metal. Additionally, angling the interconnecting passageways between the furnace regions improve the thermal efficiency of the circulating molten metal.

Abstract: Thus, as shown by an exact electrodynamic computation of EMBF and the estimations described above of the velocity of turbulent flows arising due to their effect, application of amplitude- and frequency-modulated helically traveling (rotating and axially traveling) electromagnetic fields in metallurgical and chemical technologies and foundry can considerably increase the hydraulic efficiency of MHD facilities, intensify the processes of heat and mass transfer in technological plants, significantly increase their productivity, considerably decrease energy consumption for the production of metals, alloys, cast articles, and chemical products, and improve their quality.

Abstract: A portable windguard for use on a pipe to shield a weld being applied from wind comprising a collar, a Velcro.TM. belt for attaching and securing the collar to the pipe and a shield extending generally perpendicularly from the collar. The shield can be collapsible, hence readily transportable from site to site.

Abstract: A refining furnace used for vacuum refining has a sealing cover mounted on the refining furnace so as to cover the furnace throat of the refining furnace and to be in close contact with a sealing flange (10) formed on the refining furnace. The adhesion of metal and slag to the sealing flange is prevented without using any flange cover. A sealing flange (10) is formed on the outer surface of the refining furnace (1) at a position on a conical part (8) extending between the furnace throat (9) and a straight body part or on the straight body part. A slag-stopping dummy flange (11) is formed on the outer surface of the refining furnace (1) at a position between a furnace throat (9) and the sealing flange (10). The slag-stopping dummy flange (11) has an outer circumference lying on the inner side of the inner circumference of a sealing cover (4) and on the outer side of the inner circumference of a lower end part of a dust collecting hood for atmospheric refining.

Abstract: An improved dumping bay particularly adapted for preventing the escape of hazardous fumes into other areas of a facility is disclosed. The dumping bay is fully enclosed and utilizes a unique air flow routing technique for collecting fumes, such as from a ladle during a slag dumping operation.

Abstract: A novel cutting nozzle assembly for a postmixed oxygen-fuel gas torch is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes a cylindrical shroud which surrounds and extends away from the gas discharge orifices in the gas discharge end of the cutting nozzle. The cylindrical shroud has the advantage of producing a tighter gas stream and of promoting a more thorough mixing of the preheat oxygen and the fuel gas to provide a hotter, more compact flame which produces a more parallel-sided cut through metal workpieces. The cutting tip therefore conserves metal as well as cutting gases. It also cuts faster than prior art postmixed cutting nozzles.

Abstract: A sensor dropper for storing, shielding and dropping sensors into a BOF vessel. The sensor dropper includes a support frame to move the stored sensors toward or away from a sensor drop path leading into said BOF vessel, a dropper assembly supported on the support frame for storing and releasing sensors into the sensor drop path to the BOF, and a shield gate to protect the sensor dropper and stored sensors from BOF fume. The dropper assembly includes a plurality of storage and release mechanisms and corresponding shear mechanisms. Each storage and release mechanism includes a threaded sensor support shaft from which a stored sensor is suspended and dropped into the sensor drop path when the threads of the sensor support shaft are rotated in an outward direction, and each shear mechanism includes a shear blade housed within a tubular cutter having outer shear blades to sever an electrical sensor cable when the inner shear blade is rotated past the outer shear blades.

Abstract: A metallurgical vessel having a bottom, a side wall structure defining an opening remote from the bottom, a refractory lining for the interior of the vessel and a unitary metal flange fixed to the vessel and extending around the opening and over the lining, and having an inner periphery directed towards the opening and an outer periphery wherein in order to reduce thermal stresses in the flange there are a plurality of holes in the flange metal spaced from the inner periphery and extending over the refractory lining and distributed circumferentially around the flange whereby heat flow through the flange from its inner periphery to its outer periphery is restricted.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in repairing the lining of a metallurgical furnace or converter includes a work platform supported for elevation from below the converter vessel into the opening formed by removal of the bottom plug. A safety shield is supported above the platform for limited vertical movement relative to the platform. The shield can be radially expanded within the converter to a diameter substantially greater than that of the bottom hole to provide an effective umbrella-like shield protecting workers on the platform from radiated heat from the interior of the converter and from falling debris while at the same time allowing ventilation air to pass up through the converter. The apparatus is especially useful in repairing the refractory lining in the bottom of a Q-BOF, particularly the refractory rings surrounding the bottom plug, during which repair the safety shield can be lowered to contact the bottom of the refractory lining outboard of the area being repaired.

Abstract: There is provided a vessel for molten metal, wherein the vessel walls containing said molten metal are constructed of rigid ceramic plates. The vessel walls along those edges along which they are connected together are provided with L- or Z-joints. Mutually co-acting joint surfaces are pressed against each other via an intermediate layer of felted ceramic sealing material by means of screws engaging said ceramic plates.

Abstract: Slag shield for a steel converter, comprising a ring of conically set segments around the upper end of the converter. The conically set segments are each provided with two hook-carrying brackets. The hooks near the lower end of the slag shield catching around horizontal bars which are connected around and to the converter. Each segment is held with its upper edge close against the converter vessel by fastening means, which are locally provided on the vessel wall. The fastening means allow for small displacements of the segment in its own plane.