Abstract: A method of analyzing an iron melt for producing compacted graphite iron includes receiving thermal data from cooling of a cast melt including a predetermined amount of carbon, magnesium, balance iron and unavoidable impurities, plotting the temperature of the cast melt against time such that a plotted time-temperature curve is generated, comparing the generated plotted curve to at least one reference curve, the reference curve representing a corresponding thermal analysis of another melt, the resulting nodularity of which is known, for the purpose of predicting the nodularity of the cast melt on basis of the difference between the curves.

Abstract: There are provided a method for desulfurizing molten steel, characterized in that a sample taken out from molten steel after the tapping from a converter or during the secondary refining is analyzed rapidly in a high accuracy by a method comprising a high frequency induction heating step wherein the sample is combusted and oxidized under the high frequency induction heating in a pure oxygen atmosphere to convert S in the sample into SO2 and an analyzing step wherein SO2-containing gas produced in the high frequency induction heating step is analyzed through an ultraviolet fluorescence method to quantify S concentration of the sample, whereby S concentration of molten steel after the tapping from the converter can be controlled in a high accuracy to prevent failure of S concentration and also desulfurization time in the secondary refining can be shortened and the amount of the desulfurizer or the like used can be reduced, and a method of manufacturing molten steel by using such a method.

Abstract: In a method for desulfurizing hot metal by analyzing S concentration of a sample taken out from the hot metal, the S concentration is analyzed rapidly and precisely by a method comprising a high frequency induction heating step of oxidizing the sample under a high frequency induction heating in a pure oxygen atmosphere to convert S in the hot metal to SO2 and an analysis step of analyzing SO2-containing gas generated in the high frequency induction heating step through an ultraviolet fluorescence method to quantify S concentration in the sample, whereby S concentration after the desulfurization is controlled precisely and hence fault of S concentration is prevented but also the increase of the cost due to the excessive addition of a desulfurization agent and step disruption at steel-making step are prevented.

Abstract: A system for determining process parameters for the ladle refinement of steel includes a computer executing a number of software algorithms for determining one or more process parameters for various steel refinement process steps. In one embodiment, for example, the computer is configured to determine the total amount of flux additions to achieve a desired sulfur percentage as part of a steel desulfurization process. In another embodiment, the computer is configured to determine the total quantity of oxygen to be injected into the steel as part of a steel reoxidation process. In still another embodiment, the computer is configured to determine a melting temperature of inclusions within the refined steel, and to determine whether this melting temperature is within an acceptable range to successfully process the steel in a continuous steel strip casting apparatus/process, or whether the steel must be reworked to achieve an acceptable inclusion melting temperature.

Abstract: A method of determining disturbances when discharging molten metal from a metallurgical container having an outlet into a receiving container. In steps of this process, a real time video image of the teeming stream is monitored to detect the presence of a slag phase, or conditions conducive to the presence of such a phase in steel being transferred, the monitored images are processed to provide data used to assess the quantity of slag passed, parameters of data generated representing characteristics of the teeming stream image are compared with threshold values to generate at least one signal indicative of the passage of slag, and the threshold values are progressively adjusted responsive to data collected by monitoring plural parameters of the teeming operation selected from predicted teeming duration, weight of the receiving vessel, condition of means controlling teeming rate, and oxygen content of the molten steel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a possibility to evaluate cooling curves recorded in near-eutectic cast iron melts. The curves are evaluated by generated in the melt in the center of the sample to the melt as a function of time. This information is then used to identify the part of the centrally recorded cooling curve that can be used as a basis for determining the amount of structure-modifying agent that must be added to produce compacted graphite cast iron, and/or spheroidal graphite cast iron, and to identify the part of said curve that is associated with formation of primary austenite.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing a coating from a coated magnesium alloy product. The method includes a first treatment step of immersing the coated magnesium alloy product in a first alkaline solution, and a second treatment step of immersing the magnesium alloy product, which has undergone the first treatment step, in a second alkaline solution or in an acid solution. The second alkaline solution is different from the first alkaline solution.

Abstract: A system for determining process parameters for the ladle refinement of steel includes a computer executing a number of software algorithms for determining one or more process parameters for various steel refinement process steps. In one embodiment, for example, the computer is configured to determine the total amount of flux additions to achieve a desired sulfur percentage as part of a steel desulfurization process. In another embodiment, the computer is configured to determine the total quantity of oxygen to be injected into the steel as part of a steel reoxidation process. In still another embodiment, the computer is configured to determine a melting temperature of inclusions within the refined steel, and to determine whether this melting temperature is within an acceptable range to successfully process the steel in a continuous steel strip casting apparatus/process, or whether the steel must be reworked to achieve an acceptable inclusion melting temperature.

Abstract: The surface tension of a sample quantity of molten iron from a batch of molten iron is determined and compared with the surface tension of the sample with the surface tensions of batches of molten iron that are known to solidify as respective different forms of cast iron. The surface tension of the molten iron sample is determined by adding the sample to a sample cup, submerging a device for introducing a noble gas into the molten iron of the sample, positioning a piezoelectric transducer at the bottom of the sample cup, administrating the noble gas at a constant rate through the device, measuring the temperature of the sample, and monitoring vibrations in the molten iron of the sample by recording signals from the transducer.

Abstract: A process for converting a copper sulphide matte and/or a copper sulphide concentrate to blister copper is described which comprises the steps of adding the matte and/or concentrate together with a suitable flux to an agitated molten bath containing molten slag phase and a molten metal phase; injecting by means of a submerged lance an oxidizing gas capable of reacting with the matte or concentrate to form a low sulphur blister copper phase, slag and sulphur dioxide; controlling the injection of the oxidizing gas such that a substantial portion of the gas contracts the blister copper phase; and separating blister copper from the bath. It is possible to obtain an amount of sulphur in the blister copper which is within a factor of two of the equilibrium value for a given percentage of copper in the slag.

Abstract: During production of ductile cast iron, controlling and correcting the composition of the cast iron melt, including extracting a sample from the melt, the mother melt, and adding an amount of an oxide, a sulphite or an oxy-sulphide with the ability to oxidize an amount of the modifying agent present in the sample and corresponding to the fading rate expected to occur during the casting process as a whole. The sample is permitted to solidify in a sample vessel equipped with two thermocouples, one in the center of the sample vessel and the other in the vicinity of the sample vessel wall. The temperature and time are recorded during the process of solidification in a manner known per se and nodularity is calculated. If the amount of modifying agent is too low to secure a fully nodular graphite throughout the whole casting period, an appropriate amount of modifying agent is added.

Abstract: A method for decontamination of steel components contaminated with radioactive material comprises the steps:(a) providing a mass of material including:(i) a proportion of steel carrying radioactive material; and(ii) a mass of slag forming material;(b) melting the mass of material, to provide a volume of molten steel and a volume of slag, the radioactive material originally present on the steel migrating to the slag; and(c) separating the slag from the molten steel. The mass of slag forming material is selected to provide a predetermined concentration of radioactive material in the slag. The concentration may be selected to be sufficiently dilute to allow disposal of the slag without restriction.

Abstract: A method relating to the production of cast iron castings with compacted graphite crystals. The method comprises controlling and correcting the composition of the cast iron melt and securing the necessary amount of structure modifying agent. A sample of the melt is taken with a sample vessel provided with two thermocouples, one positioned so as to be in the centre of the sample and the other positioned so as to be in the vicinity of the vessel wall. The vessel wall contains or is coated with a layer of a substance which will lower the concentration of dissolved elementary magnesium in the melt in the vicinity of the vessel wall by at least 0.0030%. The temperature/time values obtained through two temperature responsive means are recorded.

Abstract: A melt sample is taken in a sampling vessel which is in thermic equilibrium with the sample quantity prior to solidification commencing, the sampling vessel having been provided with at least one thermoelement and containing a determined and calibrated quantity of inoculating agent based on FeSi and sufficient to produce a maximum inoculating effect. The sample melt is allowed to solidify while temperature changes per unit of time are recorded. The difference between the minimum temperature in the undercooling phase, the maximum temperature in the eutectic reaction phase, and the eutectic equilibrium temperature T.sub.e, are determined. To the base melt are added thermodynamically stable particles of the type spinels, oxides or oxysulphides of elements such as magnesium, aluminium, potassium, zirconium, strontium, titanium and rare earth metals when the difference between eutectic equilibrium temperature T.sub.e and the minimum temperature in the undercooling phase exceeds 10.degree. K.

Abstract: A housing has a pair of chambers separated by a vertical wall. A hearth is on one side of the wall in the housing and is adjacent to an orifice which allows a stream of material, such as molten metal to pass from one chamber to the other. A gas is caused to flow through the orifice counter to the material flow by placing the other chamber at a higher fluid pressure than the one chamber. A blower coupled to the chambers provides the differential pressure. Molten metal is collected in a crucible in the other chamber. The gas flow moves through the orifice and forces impurities on the surface of the material to flow in reverse in the one chamber before the flow passes through the orifice.

Abstract: An apparatus has means for controlling the composition of a molten metal bath of various elements for providing a consistent molten metal product. The apparatus is automated and the addition of elements to a molten bath is automatically controlled. Also, a method has steps for controlling the composition of the molten metal bath of various elements for providing a consistent molten metal product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for introducing an additive material into a metallurgical sample. In a preferred embodiment, the method and apparatus of the present invention comprises introducing a stabilizer, for example, tellurium and/or bismuth, into a metallurgical sample of cast iron or blast furnace hot metal to induce white solidification comprising a probe having a generally enclosed sample cavity and a conduit extending from the cavity for receiving a flow of molten metal for collection in the cavity. A distribution member proximate the conduit is employed for inserting a predetermined quantity of the additive material at a predetermined rate into the molten metal flowing through the conduit so that the additive material is homogeneously distributed throughout the molten metal within the sample cavity.