Abstract: A method of stirring and apparatus for stirring are provided. The method includes: a) providing a number of electro-magnetic stirrer units, each stirrer unit being moveably mounted on a stirrer support carriage; b) providing a number of locations at which stirring is to be provided by a stirrer unit; c) providing stirring at a first location from amongst the number of locations using a stirrer unit; d) providing stirring at a second location from amongst the number of locations using the same stirrer unit, the second location being different to the first location; and wherein the stirrer unit has a first position relative to the stirrer support carriage during movement between the first location and the second location and the stirrer unit has a second position relative to the stirrer support carriage at the first location and at the second location during stirring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas guide (11, 11a, 11b, 11c) for a laser cutting head (10) having a nozzle (19), having a central flow axis (S), comprising a base part having a pressure chamber (24) concentrically surrounding the flow axis (S), configured for the reception of a gas flow (20a, 20b, 20c), wherein the base part has at least four gas conduits (26a, 26b, 26c), which extend from the pressure chamber (24) in the direction of the flow axis (S), and wherein the cross-sections of the pressure chamber (24) and the gas conduits (26a, 26b, 26c) are dimensioned such that the gas has a maximum flow rate when it exits the gas conduits.

Abstract: A welding apparatus according to one embodiment includes an irradiation device and nozzle. The irradiation device irradiates a surface of an object with an energy beam. The nozzle is provided with a first channel through which a shield gas flows and a second channel apart from the first channel and through which a gas flows, and the nozzle moves in an irradiation direction. The nozzle includes an end facing the surface and an outer face connected to the end and located in the irradiation direction with respect to the first channel. The end is provided with a first opening that communicates with the first channel and allows discharge of the shield gas toward the surface. The outer face is provided with a second opening that communicates with the second channel and allows the gas to be discharged away from the outer face in the irradiation direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for generating a jet of liquid which is suitable, in the manner of a waveguide, to carry a laser beam injected into it and which is used to process a work piece. Said device comprises a liquid nozzle for generating a jet of liquid and a gas outlet nozzle, disposed at a distance from the liquid nozzle and producing a flow of gas enclosing the jet of liquid on the exterior thereof. A gas storage is defined between the liquid nozzle and the gas outlet nozzle. The jet of liquid is passed or ejected through the gas outlet nozzle. The jet of liquid has a diameter of preferably 60 m or less and the flow of gas has a diameter of 1-2 mm.

Abstract: A method of controlling a melting process in an electric arc furnace for melting a metallic material. By means of the present disclosure it is possible to minimize desired process properties such as the melting time or the total power consumption of the melting process. The method includes the steps of receiving or collecting measured data of at least one process variable, determining the current state of the process, performing an optimization of the melting process, determining a process input based on the result of the optimization, and controlling the melting process by means of the process input. A control system is also presented herein.

Abstract: A method for producing blister copper directly from copper concentrate is provided, comprising: a) adding copper concentrate, copper matte, slagging material, oxygen enriched air, endothermic material to an upper segment of the reaction furnace; b) adding reducing agent to the lower segment space of the reaction furnace; c) directing the produced hot coke and liquid slag into an electric furnace, and adding copper concentrate into the electric furnace to generate an electric furnace slag and copper matte; d) the copper matte being granulated and finely ground, then re-fed into the reaction furnace.

Abstract: Ultrasonic devices having an integrated purging gas delivery system are described, and such devices can be used to remove dissolved gasses and impurities from molten metals.

Abstract: In a method for processing and/or reducing solid or molten materials and/or pyrophoric materials, in particular shredder light fractions, the solid or molten materials are charged onto an at least partially inductively heated graphite body, wherein a reducing agent different from the carbon of the graphite is introduced, and the flowing-off reduced and/or degassed melt is collected, wherein the reducing agent is introduced together with the solid or molten charging materials, and, as the reducing agent, natural gas, hydrocarbons, hydrogen, carbon monoxide and/or ammonia are introduced along with water vapor, oxygen, carbon dioxide and/or halogens or hydrogen halides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing blister copper directly from copper concentrate, comprising: a) adding copper concentrate, copper matte, slagging material, oxygen enriched air, endothermic material to a upper segment of the reaction furnace; b) adding reducing agent to the lower segment space of the reaction furnace; c) directing the produced hot coke and liquid slag into an electric furnace, and adding copper concentrate into the electric furnace to generate an electric furnace slag and copper matte; d) the copper matte being granulated and finely ground, then re-fed into the reaction furnace. The addition of reducing agent in the lower segment will not increase the heat load of the reaction furnace since the reducing agent does not burn.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing molten metal by using a stationary non-tilting electric furnace comprising: forming a raw material layer by charging a particular amount of a carbonaceous material and/or metal oxide agglomerates with carbonaceous material containing a nonvolatile metal element that forms molten metal into the furnace from the raw material charging chute, and having a sloping surface extending downward from the one end of the furnace toward the other end of the; subsequently forming an agglomerate layer on the sloping surface of the raw material layer by charging a particular amount of the metal oxide agglomerates with carbonaceous material into the furnace from the raw material charging chute; and subsequently forming a molten metal layer and a molten slag layer in the furnace by heating the lower end of the agglomerate layer with the heater.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for melting raw material in an electric arc furnace using a flame of variable direction, the apparatus comprising a burner and a lance whereby the lance outlet opening and the burner outlet opening are not concentric and are located at a distance from one another, and whereby the lance axis forms an angle with the burner axis in the range from 10° to 40.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing a furnace melt are provided. Preferably, the method and apparatus provide for the safe and efficient access to the melt. According to one aspect of the invention used in a steel-making process in an electric arc furnace, a furnace aperture burner/lance provides a flame for heating the melt, a lance device for injecting oxygen into the furnace, or both. To access the melt, the furnace aperture burner/lance is disengaged, access is provided to the melt through the furnace aperture, and the furnace aperture burner/lance is reengaged when the access is concluded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing a furnace melt are provided. Preferably, the method and apparatus provide for the safe and efficient access to the molten metal melt in a furnace. According to one aspect of the invention used in a steel making process in an electric arc furnace, a furnace aperture plug is reciprocated through a furnace aperture, the furnace aperture plug is retracted from the furnace aperture, access is provided to the molten metal melt in the furnace, and the furnace aperture plug is reinserted into the furnace aperture when the access is concluded.

Abstract: In a method for reducing metal-oxidic slags or glasses and/or degassing mineral melts, solid particles and/or melts are charged onto an at least partially inductively heated bed or column containing lumpy coke, and the reduced and/or degassed melt running off is collected. The device for reducing metal-oxidic slags or glasses and/or degassing mineral melts, which includes a charging opening (1) for solid or molten material and a tap opening (12) for the treated melt, is characterized by a tubular or channel-shaped housing (3) for the reception of lumpy coke (6), and a heating means surrounding the housing and including at least one induction coil (7, 8, 9).

Abstract: Methods for functionalizing the surface of nanomaterials to improve processing and product manufacturing. These methods are useful for oxides, nitrides, carbides, borides, metals, alloys, chalcogenides, and other compositions.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for melting raw material in an electric arc furnace using a flame of variable direction, the apparatus comprising a burner and a lance whereby the lance outlet opening and the burner outlet opening are not concentric and are located at a distance from one another, and whereby the lance axis forms an angle with the burner axis in the range from 10° to 40.

Abstract: A method of operating a channel induction furnace to process a feed material and obtain therefrom at least one of a molten metal product, a vapor phase metal product and a slag product. The method includes avoiding the formation of islands of materials that are fed into the channel induction furnace. The method also involves breaking up islands of materials that are formed within the channel induction furnace. The method further involves adding a heat-conducting metal material into the channel induction furnace together with the feed material.

Abstract: A method of operating a channel induction furnace to process a feed material and obtain therefrom at least one of a molten metal product, a vapor phase metal product and a slag product. The method includes applying a controlled vacuum on the headspace of the channel induction furnace to controlling the amount of ambient air that enters the furnace or adding oxygen into the channel induction furnace. The method also includes controlling the carbon concentration in the molten bath in the channel induction furnace to control the fluidity of the bath.

Abstract: A method of operating a channel induction furnace to process a feed material and obtain therefrom at least one of a molten metal product, a vapor phase metal product and a slag product. The method involves the use a variety of feed materials that contribute to the molten metal product and/or the vapor phase metal product and/or the slag product and/or function as a binder for briquetting or pelletizing the feed material.

Abstract: A method of operating a channel induction furnace to process a feed material and obtain therefrom at least one of a molten metal product, a vapor phase metal product and a slag product. A molten metal bath is maintained in the channel induction furnace and the method includes adding a reductant such as carbon or a carbon containing material directly into the molten metal bath independently of the feed material.

Abstract: A method of operating a channel induction furnace to process a feed material and obtain therefrom at least one of a molten metal product, a vapor phase metal product and a slag product. The method involves maintaining a slag layer on the molten bath that has a thickness that is sufficient to support the feed material while minimizing heat transfer through the slag layer and minimizing the resistance of vapor phase components from transferring through the slag layer. The fluidity of the slag layer is controlled by heating the slag layer and adjusting the chemistry of the slag layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing characteristics of a furnace melt are provided. Preferably, the method and apparatus provide for the safe and efficient testing of metal temperature and composition of molten metal during the melt cycle of the metal. According to one aspect of the invention used in a steel making process in an electric arc furnace, a furnace probe is reciprocated through a furnace probe plug aperture, the furnace probe is retracted from the furnace probe plug aperture, a furnace probe is inserted through the furnace probe plug aperture, the furnace probe is retracted from the aperture, and the furnace probe aperture plug is inserted into the furnace probe plug aperture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing a furnace melt are provided. Preferably, the method and apparatus provide for the safe and efficient access to the molten metal melt in a furnace. According to one aspect of the invention used in a steel making process in an electric arc furnace, a furnace aperture plug is reciprocated through a furnace aperture, the furnace aperture plug is retracted from the furnace aperture, access is provided to the molten metal melt in the furnace, and the furnace aperture plug is reinserted into the furnace aperture when the access is concluded.

Abstract: A method of injecting oxygen into a melt located within a metallurgical furnace having a heated furnace atmosphere in which oxygen and fuel is injected into 1 or more nozzles having passageways of converging-diverging configuration under choked flow conditions to produce supersonic jet or jets discharged from the passageways. Fuel is injected into internal circumferential locations of the passageways so as to impart a structure to the jets being discharged that have an outer circumferential region containing a mixture of fuel and oxygen and a central region containing essentially oxygen. Such a structured jet upon discharge interacts with the furnace atmosphere to create an outer shear-mixing zone in which the outer circumferential layer mixes with the heated furnace atmosphere and auto-ignites to produce a flame envelope surrounding a supersonic jet of oxygen. The jet of oxygen and flame envelope can be directed against a melt contained within the metallurgical furnace for injection of oxygen into the melt.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for advantageously introducing a flame, a high velocity oxidizing gas, and a high velocity particulate flow into a furnace for metal melting, refining and processing, for example, steel making in an electric arc furnace. The steel making process of an electric arc furnace is made more efficient by shortening the time of the scrap melting phase, introducing a more effective high velocity oxidizing gas stream into the process sooner to decarburize the melted metal and introducing a more effective particulate injection to reduce FeO, form or foam slag and/or recarburize. Improved efficiency is obtained by mounting a fixed burner/lance and carbon injector lower and closer to the hot face of the furnace refractory at an effective injection angle.

Abstract: A method for producing molten metal by the reduction and melting of raw materials in a submerged arc type electric furnace includes at least one electrode, where substantial amounts of slag are generated so that the electric furnace contains a bath of molten metal covered with a thick layer of molten slag having a mass per unit area of at least 1000 kg/m2. The thick layer of molten slag is made to foam locally around the at least one electrode so as to create around the electrode a local layer of foaming slag in which the density of the slag is at least 50 per cent lower than in the rest of the electric furnace.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for metal melting, refining and processing, particularly adapted to steel making in an electric arc furnace. The method provides auxiliary thermal energy to the steel making process, particulate injection for the formation of slag and foamy slag, and oxygen injection for the decarburization of the melt, for the formation of foamy slag and for post combustion burning of carbon monoxide. The burner includes two injection barrels for providing finely pulverized particles and for providing either a supersonic or a subsonic primary flow of an oxidizing gas. The barrels are positioned side by side in a nozzle at the entrance of a flame shaping chamber of a fluid cooled combustion chamber. The nozzle also contains a plurality of fuel orifices for the providing pressurized fuel to the combustion chamber and a plurality of oxidizing gas orifices for providing a secondary flow of an oxidizing gas around the periphery of the nozzle.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for EAF steelmaking wherein the method provides additional thermal energy to the steel making process, carbon injection for the formation of foamy slag, and oxygen injection for the decarburization of the melt, the formation of foamy slag and post combustion burning of carbon monoxide. The apparatus comprises a unique burner configuration which has a central conduit for alternatively supplying fluid hydrocarbon fuel or particulate carbon with a carrier gas which are discharged through a exit opening. The fuel or carbon is mixed with a high speed, preferably supersonic, stream of oxidizing gas. The high speed stream of oxidizing gas is provided by an annular supersonic nozzle which causes the oxidizing gas to surround the fuel or the particulates with an annular flow. The annular nozzle design can be adjusted to direct the flows of particulates and oxidizing gases in the areas and shapes desired for efficient management of the steelmaking process.

Abstract: Device to deliver comburent and combustible gases, such as oxygen, methane or similar, and/or solid combustible materials inside a melting container, the device comprising a first unit (18) functioning as a burner and/or supersonic lance, and a second unit (19) functioning as a burner and/or carbon lance, the units (18, 19) being reciprocally oriented so that the respective streams delivered (21, 22) meet around a point (20) located above or around the upper level of the layer of slag (17), giving rise, during the normal melting cycle, to a substantially stoichiometrically balanced reaction between oxygen and carbon. Melting method using at least one of the devices as above.

Abstract: A system for establishing and maintaining a supersonic coherent gas jet, effective with either an oxidizing or an inert gas, employing a converging/diverging nozzle for establishment of a non-disruptive initial supersonic velocity, and a slower moving defined triple layered flame envelope coaxial with the jet for effective maintenance of the supersonic velocity. The invention is particularly useful for providing gas into a pool of liquid.