Abstract: A process to decarburize steel can include contacting molten iron-containing material with a carbon dioxide in an electric arc furnace, a ladle furnace, or a vacuum degassing unit, or a combination thereof to decarburize at least a portion of the molten iron-containing material. The molten iron-containing material is preferably molten iron oxide.

Abstract: A method and system for predicting an addition amount of slagging lime during ladle furnace (LF) refining, and an LF refining method are provided. The method includes: S1: calculating an actual sulfur distribution ratio in combination with a Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan (KTH) model and a least square method by using LF refining parameters; S2: calculating, according to a principle of sulfur mass conservation, a mass of final slag by using the LF refining parameters and the actual sulfur distribution ratio obtained in S1; and S3: calculating, according to a principle of material conservation during LF refining, an addition amount of slagging lime during the LF refining by using the LF refining parameters and the mass of the final slag obtained in S2, thereby predicting the addition amount of the required slagging lime.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a system for producing direct reduced iron wherein a portion of the top gas from a first module for reducing iron oxide by a direct reduction process is utilized as fuel in the thermal equipment of a second module for reducing iron oxide by a direct reduction process, wherein the second module comprises a process gas heating unit. In various aspects, the thermal equipment of the second module is a reducing gas heater and/or a steam boiler. In a further aspect, the top gas from multiple instances of the first module can be utilized collectively as fuel in the thermal equipment of the second module. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: A high mechanical strength reinforcement steel comprising, in addition to iron, at most about 0.5% by weight carbon, at most about 0.5% by weight vanadium and/or niobium, and the usual residual elements of scrap steel. A method of reinforcing a dwelling from damage resulting from seismic activity, the method comprising providing, as a component of the dwelling, at least one rebar of a composition comprising, in addition to iron, at most about 0.5% by weight carbon, at most about 0.5% by weight vanadium and/or niobium, at most 1.7% by weight of manganese, at most 0.5% by weight of silicon, and the usual residual elements of scrap steel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of reducing slag, including the steps of: examining the components of slag to be reduced, and setting a target composition ratio after reduction; determining the mixing ratio and input amount of a complex reducing agent of a plurality of reducing agents in accordance with the set target composition ratio to determine the complex reducing agent; and supplying the complex reducing agent into molten slag to reduce the slag. The method is advantageous in that the reduction efficiency of slag can be maximized, various kinds of reducing agents can be efficiently used, and the recovery amount of valuable metals can be increased, thus reducing cost.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for controlling extremely low Ti in extra low carbon AlSi-killed steel, the weight percentage of the chemical composition of the extra low carbon AlSi-killed steel comprising: C?0.005%, Si: 0.1-3.4%, Mn: 0.1-0.5%, P?0.2%, S?0.002%, Al: 0-1.2%, N?0.005%, Ti?0.0015 and a balance substantially being Fe and inevitable impurities; the liquid steel having said chemical composition is obtained by hot metal preprocessing, smelting, retained RH smelting and ingoting, wherein the top ladle slag is modified, and calcium-aluminum based modifier of 0.6-1.7 kg/t steel are added, so as to ensure a controlling demand that when refined RH decarburization is over, the content of T.Fe in top ladle slag composition ?5%, the content of Al2O3?23%; when refined RH decarburization is over, ferrosilicon, ferroaluminum or ferromanganese is employed to perform deoxide and alloying, then perform a deep desulfurization, and desulfurizing efficiency is 50% to 70%.

Abstract: A process for producing a ferric containing solution by the controlled oxidation of a ferrous containing solution, said process including providing a solution containing at least ferrous ions; treating the solution with one or more inlet gases containing sulfur dioxide and oxygen in order to oxidize said ferrous ions to ferric ions, wherein the delivery rate of the sulfur dioxide gas is oxidation rate limiting; and controlling the concentration of dissolved oxygen in said solution at an optimum value.

Abstract: A method of making steel in a vessel comprising providing a lance for blowing oxygen on the surface of the steel in the vessel, the lance joined to a lance carriage and in communication with an accelerometer, the accelerometer in signal communication with a data acquisition module and a computer; charging the vessel with materials for steel making; lowering the lance into the vessel and injecting oxygen into the materials; acquiring a signal from the accelerometer indicative of lance vibration; processing the vibration signal to determine component frequencies of lance vibration; comparing the levels of the component frequencies to desired operating values; and adjusting at least one steel making process parameter based on the level of at least one of the component frequencies. The steel making process parameter to be adjusted may be oxygen flow rate through the lance.

Abstract: A method and a device control the introduction of several metals into a cavity configured to melt the metals in the form of ingots. In particular, the method is configured to control the introduction of several metals into a cavity for melting the metals so as to dip-coat a steel strip with the metals in liquid metal form. Whereby a first metal is introduced in the form of at least a first ingot having a high content of the first metal and a second metal is introduced in the form of at least a second ingot formed as an alloy of the first metal and the second metal. The second metal content of the second ingot is chosen from a range of significant contents for ensuring an intended overall flow rate for combined melting of the ingots, the range of significant contents being chosen in a limited interval of sequentially increasing values so as to minimize differences between melting points of the ingots.

Abstract: A metal storage material, containing a perovskite-type composite oxide of formula (1), which is a material to stores a metal component of a metal-containing material: ABHaO3-b??Formula (1) in which A is at least one selected from lanthanoid elements and Group 2 elements of the periodic table, and B is at least one selected from Groups 3, 4, and 13 elements, and transition metal elements of the fourth period of the periodic table; a and b are quantities of hydrogen and oxygen vacancies, within the range of: 0?a?1.0, 0?b?0.5, respectively; and a method of recovering a metal, containing the steps of: heating the metal-containing material, in the presence of the perovskite-type composite oxide; dissolving, in an acid, the composite oxide which stores a metal, to give an eluate of the metal; and recovering the metal, from the eluate.

Abstract: A reducing dross method of lead-free solder includes the steps of: producing master alloy of reducing dross which comprises Sn and 0.1 to 0.8 wt % P; analyzing the percentage of P of the lead-free solder to be modified, in order to reach 0.008 to 0.015 wt % P in the lead-free solder, adding the master alloy into the lead-free solder with the percentage of P less than 0.008 wt % or no P; then sampling the lead-free solder at regular intervals to determine the percentage and the percentage loss of P, if the percentage of P being less than a given value from 0.008 to 0.015 wt %, adding the master alloy to keep the percentage of P as 0.008 to 0.015 wt %.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for improved process control in metal smelting through measurement of off-gas profiles in real time. A tunable laser source is projected across a volume of off-gas and detected to provide a real time profile of gas concentrations. The real time gas concentration profile may be compared with known profiles to identify problems in the smelting process or to identify when the process is complete.

Abstract: A method for producing metallic iron including providing a hearth furnace having an entry end and a discharge end, a moveable hearth, and an exhaust stack positioned toward the entry end of the furnace, providing a carbonaceous hearth layer above the hearth, providing a layer of reducible material comprising reducing material and iron bearing material, delivering a flow of gases into the hearth furnace through burners, gas injection ports, or a combination thereof directing a flow of gases toward the entry end selected from combustible fuel, oxygen and carbon dioxide, oxygen and flue gas, oxygen and air, or a combination thereof to heat the furnace to a temperature sufficient to at least partially reduce the reducible material, increasing the velocity of the flow of gas to greater than 4 feet per second along the furnace, and heating the layer of reducible material to at least partially reduce the reducible material.

Abstract: A method of making steel in a vessel comprising providing a lance for blowing oxygen on the surface of the steel in the vessel, the lance joined to a lance carriage and in communication with an accelerometer, the accelerometer in signal communication with a data acquisition module and a computer; charging the vessel with materials for steel making; lowering the lance into the vessel and injecting oxygen into the materials; acquiring a signal from the accelerometer indicative of lance vibration; processing the vibration signal to determine component frequencies of lance vibration; comparing the levels of the component frequencies to desired operating values; and adjusting at least one steel making process parameter based on the level of at least one of the component frequencies. The steel making process parameter to be adjusted may be oxygen flow rate through the lance.

Abstract: In a method of regulating the output of CO in steel production, oxygen is introduced into a melt to remove carbon present, the actual value of the carbon stream evolved from the melt is determined, the intended value of the evolved carbon stream derived from the amount of oxygen introduced and the carbon content of the melt is calculated, intended and actual values are compared with one another and if the actual value is below the intended value, measures for preventing boiling are undertaken.

Abstract: A process for producing a ferric containing solution by the controlled oxidation of a ferrous containing solution, said process including providing a solution containing at least ferrous ions; treating the solution with one or more inlet gases containing sulfur dioxide and oxygen in order to oxidize said ferrous ions to ferric ions, wherein the delivery rate of the sulfur dioxide gas is oxidation rate limiting; and controlling the concentration of dissolved oxygen in said solution at an optimum value.

Abstract: A method and a device control the introduction of several metals into a cavity configured to melt the metals in the form of ingots. In particular, the method is configured to control the introduction of several metals into a cavity for melting the metals so as to dip-coat a steel strip with the metals in liquid metal form. Whereby a first metal is introduced in the form of at least a first ingot having a high content of the first metal and a second metal is introduced in the form of at least a second ingot formed as an alloy of the first metal and the second metal. The second metal content of the second ingot is chosen from a range of significant contents for ensuring an intended overall flow rate for combined melting of the ingots, the range of significant contents being chosen in a limited interval of sequentially increasing values so as to minimize differences between melting points of the ingots.

Abstract: A method for leaching a material containing one or more target metals using an acidic leaching solution to extract said one or more target metals, said method including (I) empirically determining an optimal acid concentration range for said acidic leaching solution by: (a) determining the relationship between the concentration of extracted target metal/s and acid consumption in said leaching solution, (b) utilizing said relationship to evaluate value parameters for the target metal containing material as a function of said acid consumption, and (c) determining said optimal acid concentration range, which is the pH range corresponding to an optimal value parameter; and (II) controlling the concentration of said acidic leaching solution such that its pH is substantially within the optimal acid concentration range throughout said material.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the ore content and for further treatment of the ore, the ore content of the crushed ore being monitored in the method on-line and the information on the ore content being utilized in the further treatment of the ore.

Abstract: For the production of stainless steel of the ferritic AISI 4xx group of steels, particularly the AISI 430 group of steels, based on liquid pig iron and FeCr solids, the invention proposes the use of the AOD (Argon Oxygen Decarburization) process in which oxygen and inert gas (inactive gas) together are blown into the bath through nozzles and top-blown onto the surface of the bath by a blowing lance. The aim of the treatment is to conclude a smelting charge within an optimal time period, to achieve the intended tapping temperature and composition, and to minimize chromium losses. This is achieved by a correspondingly applied technology and by means of a metallurgic process model which observes, prognosticates and controls the treatment of the smelting charge.

Abstract: A method of forming and refining molten silicon-bearing steel by addition of a calcium-containing silicon additive. Determine if the amount of calcium in the calcium-containing silicon additive is more or less than the amount of calcium desired in the finished steel. If it is more than the amount of calcium desired in the finished steel, add the amount of calcium-containing silicon additive corresponding to the excess calcium early during steel deoxidation or in refining to combine with oxygen, sulfur and other impurities in refining, and add the calcium-containing silicon additive containing the total amount of calcium desired in the finished steel after the desulfurization of the molten steel and before casting. If the amount of calcium in the calcium-containing silicon additive does not provide the total amount of calcium desired in the finished steel, adding an additional amount of calcium after desulfurization of the molten steel and before casting to the molten steel during refining.

Abstract: A method for producing molten material, wherein oxygen, reducing agents and iron that has been reduced in a reduction reactor are introduced into a melter gasifier. The reducing agent is gasified with the oxygen and the heat thereby produced melts the reduced iron. Cupola gas from the melter gasifier is used at least as a portion of the reduction gas, and reacted top gas is withdrawn from the reduction reactor. The aim of the invention is to increase energy efficiency and raw material efficiency as well as productivity while at the same time obtaining metallurgically improved properties of the product. For this purpose, at least a portion of the top gas is branched off from the line for the withdrawal of the top gas from the reduction reactor and is returned via at least one return line leading to the melter gasifier and is introduced into the melter gasifier.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing an energetic metastable nano-composite material. Under pre-selected milling conditions a mixture of powdered components are reactively milled. These components will spontaneously react at a known duration of the pre-selected milling conditions. The milling is stopped at a time at which the components have been compositionally homogenized to produce nanocomposite powder, but prior to said known duration, and thereby before the spontaneous reaction occurs. The milled powder is recovered as a highly reactive nanostructured composite for subsequent use by controllably initiating destabilization thereof.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the ore content and for further treatment of the ore, the ore content of the crushed ore being monitored in said method on-line and the information on the ore content being utilized in the further treatment of the ore.

Abstract: In a process for the gas reduction of particulate oxide-containing ores, in particular iron-oxide-containing material, in the fluidized-bed process at a pressure of <5 bars, wherein the ore by aid of a reducing gas produced from coal is heated, optionally also pre-reduced, in a fluidized-bed reactor (1) designed as a pre-heating stage (5), subsequently is reduced to sponge iron in at least one fluidized-bed reactor (2, 3) designed as a reduction stage (7, 8), the reducing gas via a reducing-gas feed duct (12) or reducing-gas duct (13) being conducted from the reduction stage (7, 8) to the pre-heating stage (5) in the opposite direction of the material to be reduced and conducted from stage to stage, and being drawn off as an export gas after purification, heat is supplied to the reducing gas fed to the reduction stage (7, 8) and/or pre-heating stage (5), namely by combustion, together with oxygen and/or air, of a portion of the reducing gas provided for the gas reduction in the reduction stage (7, 8) and/o

Abstract: The present invention: solves the problems of hitherto disclosed technologies, such as insufficient suppression of the oxidation loss of [Cr] and the excessive erosion of refractories, in the decarburization-refining of chromium-contained molten steel under a normal or reduced pressure; and is characterized by: determining, in sequence; a molten steel temperature during the refining through actual measurement or computation from a molten steel temperature before the refining and refining conditions; [C] and [Cr] concentrations during the refining through actual measurement or computation from molten steel components before the refining and refining conditions; a CO partial pressure PCO in an atmosphere during the refining from the total pressure P of the atmosphere, an oxygen gas supply rate and an inert gas supply rate, a Hilty's equilibrium temperature TH from said [C] and [Cr] concentrations and PCO; the difference &Dgr;T between said molten steel temp

Abstract: The present invention: solves the problems of hitherto disclosed technologies, such as insufficient suppression of the oxidation loss of [Cr] and the excessive erosion of refractories, in the decarburization-refining of chromium-contained molten steel under a normal or reduced pressure; and is characterized by: determining, in sequence; a molten steel temperature during the refining through actual measurement or computation from a molten steel temperature before the refining and refining conditions; [C] and [Cr] concentrations during the refining through actual measurement or computation from molten steel components before the refining and refining conditions; a CO partial pressure PCO in an atmosphere during the refining from the total pressure P of the atmosphere, an oxygen gas supply rate and an inert gas supply rate; a Hilty's equilibrium temperature TH from said [C] and [Cr] concentrations and PCO; the difference &Dgr;T between said molten steel temperatu

Abstract: The present invention provides a pre-treatment apparatus for an analytical metal sample, the apparatus including (1) a treatment chamber having a sample charging port which can be opened and closed and provided at the top of the chamber, a sample discharging port which can be opened and closed and provided at the bottom of the chamber, and a gas inlet and gas outlet, (2) a sample carrying bar joined to a sample holder also used as a sputtering electrode, and provided to pass through at least one side wall of the treatment chamber so as to be substantially horizontally movable and axially rotatable, and (3) a sputtering counter electrode at least having portions arranged opposite to each other in a region not inhibiting the charge and discharge of an analytical metal sample so that the sample holder can be arranged in the counter electrode.

Abstract: To identify and manufacture metallic glass forming alloys, large inertial forces or “g”-forces are used to sequentially separate crystalline phases (particles) as they sequentially form and grow in a molten alloy during gradual cooling of the alloy below its liquidus temperature. These forces physically remove and isolate the actual crystalline particles from the remaining liquid as they are formed. Under the influence of a large g-force, this is accomplished by rapid and efficient sedimentation and stratification. Further contamination and nascent solid “debris” in the form of oxides, carbides, or other foreign particles can be removed from the molten alloy using the same sedimentation/stratification technique. Finally, a method of efficiently cooling and solidifying the final low melting stratified and decontaminated liquid into a solid glass component is proposed which utilizes convective heat transport by a cooling gas.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of assaying a mineral sample for determining the concentration of selected metals in a sample comprising the steps of providing a comminuted mineral sample; mixing such sample with a flux; preheating a reaction vessel to a temperature which approximates the melting point of the flux; introducing the mixture of the mineral sample and flux into the crucible, whereby the mixture is transformed to a molten state to capture the metal to be assayed in a collector material; and separating slag from the collector material.

Abstract: A description is given of a method of optimizing the design and operation of a reduction process for iron-containing charge materials (3), preferably in lump form, in a reduction shaft (1) to which reduction gas (9) is fed, for example from a fusion gasifier (6), with a reduced product (13), for example iron sponge, being taken from the reduction shaft (1) for the production of liquid pig iron or liquid primary steel products, in which method the reduction process is described by means of a mathematical-physical-chemical process model, the reduction shaft (1) is modelled multi-dimensionally, in particular three-dimensionally, and the process model is numerically evaluated and the results of the evaluation, obtained as multi-dimensional, in particular spatial, distributions of physical or chemical variables, are taken into account for the reduction process. This allows the reduction process to be quantitatively assessed in the entire reduction shaft and, as a result, the reduction process can be optimized.

Abstract: A method and computer program for determining the amounts of desulphurizing reagents required to reduce the sulphur content in hot metal to meet a specified aim concentration. The determination of the amounts of reagents is based on a multivariate statistical model of the process. This model is initially based on a set of representative data from the process including all process parameters for which data are available. These parameters include chemistry-type variables and variables representing the state of operation of the desulphurization process. The use of a plurality of process and chemistry variables provides a more advantageous determination of the reagent quantities. Also, the method includes an adaptation scheme whereby new data are used to automatically update the predictive model so that the optimality of the model is maintained. Other features of the system include optimal handling of missing data, and data and model validation schemes.

Abstract: A process that produces pozzolanes, synthetic blast furnace slags, belite, or alite clinkers, as well as pig iron alloys, from oxidic liquid slag. The oxidic liquid slag is reduced above an iron bath in a reactor containing submerged tuyeres. Carbon is blown through the submerged tuyeres and into the iron bath to maintain the iron bath at a carbon content of between 2.5 wt % and 4.6 wt %.

Abstract: Solid state iron oxide reduction in a gas-solid reduction zone is combined with continuous melting of the hot solid reduced iron in a fuel-fired gas-solid-liquid melting zone within a rotary furnace by pneumatic transfer of the hot reduced iron by carrier gases through a transfer duct connected into an injection lance projecting into the melting zone and carrying a nozzle which directs a jet of hot reduced iron downwards into the metal bath, with a preferred embodiment of continually traversing the lance and thereby the jet of carrier gases and hot reduced iron longitudinally forwards and backwards enhancing heat transfer. The invention embraces a broad range of known solid-state reduction processes, classified either as: Group A. those employing gases within a gravity contact-supported or fluidized moving bed at substantial pressures of 1-5 atmospheres; or Group B. solid carbonaceous reductants in a rotary kiln or rotary hearth conducted at near ambient atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Method for the direct reduction of mineral iron inside a vertical reduction furnace (10) of the type with a gravitational load, wherein the reduction gas flows in counter-flow with respect to the material introduced into the furnace, comprising the following steps: the mineral iron is fed from above into the furnace (10), a mixture of high temperature gas consisting of reducing gas based on H2 and CO is injected, and the reduced mineral is removed from the furnace (10), the mixture of gas being introduced in at least two zones (12, 14) of the furnace (10) arranged one above the other so as to achieve, in a controlled manner, a first stage of pre-heating and pre-reduction in the upper part (12) of the furnace (10) and a second stage of final reduction in the lower part (14) of the furnace (10).

Abstract: A process of producing molten iron involves: a) introducing iron oxide, flux, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and hydrogen to a smelter reactor; b) maintaining conditions to cause (i) the iron oxide to be reduced, (ii) molten iron to be created and stirred in the bottom of the reactor, surmounted by a layer of foaming, FeO-containing slag, and (iii) carbon monoxide gas to rise through the slag; c) causing at least some of the carbon monoxide to react with the oxygen; d) releasing an offgas containing CO, CO2, H2, and H2O; and e) removing at least some of the molten iron and slag from the reactor. Good process stability is achieved by: f) repeatedly measuring, during the process, the conditions of the slag height, the temperature of the molten iron, the levels of CO, CO2, H2, and H2O in the offgas, the carbon level in the molten iron, and the FeO level in the slag, and g) subsequently adjusting one or more process variables (e.g.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a batch of scrap material, subsequent to processing of the batch, to determine the content of precious metal present in the batch prior to processing of the batch, includes introducing a predetermined amount of a tracer into the batch, prior to processing, processing the batch and the tracer into a homogenous mixture, assaying a sample portion of the homogenous mixture to assess the amount of tracer in the sample portion, and to assess the amount of precious metal in the sample portion, and ascertaining the content of the precious metal in the batch prior to processing of the batch by applying to the assayed amount of the precious metal a ratio between the predetermined amount of tracer introduced into the batch prior to processing and the assessed amount of tracer in the sample portion.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving the making of metals such as steel and copper by using a molten metal gas measurement system to measure the gas content of the molten metal particularly H.sub.2 content, and to controlling the metal making process based on the gas content value. The preferred gas analyzer comprises an improved long lasting immersion probe body and an analyzer wherein the probe body is immersed in the molten metal and a carrier gas is cycled through the probe and analyzer. The carrier gas entrains gases diffusing into or formed in the probe body and this gas mixture is electronically compared with a reference value to provide a measurement of the gases in the molten metal and the process is controlled based on the analyzer results. Another important use of the gas analyzer is in molten metal degassing operations such as used in the steel industry.

Abstract: An on-line system for measuring the composition of scrap metal, including a loader with a load sensor having a motion compensator linked to a bulk material analyzer such as a prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analyzer. The grade of scrap used to prepare batches for a melt is controlled to provide a batch having desired properties and composition.

Abstract: A method for improving the making of metals such as steel and copper by specially using a gas measurement system to analyze molten metals for gas, particularly H2 content, and to controlling the metal making process based on these values. The preferred gas analyzer comprises a hollow probe and an analyzer wherein the probe is immersed in the molten metal and a carrier gas containing a reducing gas such as CO is cycled through the probe and analyzer. The carrier gas entrains gases in the probe and this gas mixture is electronically compared with a reference value to provide a measurement of the gases in the molten metal and the process is controlled based on the analyzer results.

Abstract: A method of refining a melt of aluminum scrap material which comprises metallic aluminum and impurities including iron, in order to obtain a target iron level. The method includes the steps of determining the initial amounts in the melt of Mn, Fe and Si, adding a quantity of Mn to the melt so as to obtain in the melt, after refining of the melt a ratio of Mn in the melt to a desired target level of Fe. Thereafter, the method includes the steps of homogenizing the melt by heating, cooling the melt and maintaining it at a super-eutectic holding temperature so that solid intermetallic compounds form and finally separating the solid intermetallic compounds from the melt.

Abstract: In a vacuum degassing and decarburization treatment, the present invention uses a CO.sub.2 gas as a recirculating gas and as a stirring gas without inviting stoppage of decarburization and an increase in the carbon concentration and moreover, without an increase in the amount of addition of an alloy, and can reduce the gas cost. The present invention provides a production method for a low carbon molten steel which comprises blowing a CO.sub.2 gas from the start of degassing treatment till the carbon concentration of the molten steel reaches 50 ppm in vacuum degassing and decarburization treatment of the molten steel, and thereafter blowing an Ar gas.

Abstract: Apparatus for the production of iron carbide in a shaft furnace, by reacting a carbon containing reducing gas as the process gas with particulate metal oxide material for an extended residence time at low temperature, including residence time and operating temperature controls. The resulting iron carbide product is also disclosed.

Abstract: For heating sponge iron to temperatures of about 850.degree. C. without substantial oxidation losses, there are provided at least two separate preheating stages at different temperatures, to which the sponge iron is successively fed and in which the temperature and the gas atmosphere are respectively individually controlled in such a way that a chemically neutral gas atmosphere is set in the first preheating stage at the lowest temperature and a reducing gas atmosphere is set in the last preheating stage at the highest temperature. The hot gas for the preheater is obtained at least in part from the waste gas from the melting furnace, to which the preheated sponge iron is fed.

Abstract: A method of decarburizing molten metal in the refining of steel using neural networks with a first neural network trained to analyze data representative of many process periods of one or more decarburization operations for providing an oxygen count for a preselected gas ratio of oxygen to diluent gas to cause the temperature of the molten metal bath to be decarburized to rise to a specified aim temperature and with a second neural network trained to analyze data representative of many process periods of one or more decarburization operations for providing an output schedule of oxygen counts to be injected into the bath to reduce the carbon level to a predetermined aim level in one or more successive stages corresponding to a preselected schedule of ratios of oxygen to diluent gas.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving the continuous casting process for making copper by using a probe and analyzer which measures the gases present in the molten copper and controls the process based on the analyzer results.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring and control of smeltmetallurgical processes, endothermic as well as exothermic ones, preferably pyrometallurgical processes, by means of optical spectrometry, whereby one first determines for each endothermic and exothermic smeltmetallurgical process and/or process step characteristic emissions or absorptions and identifies the atomic or molecular origin of the emissions/absorptions, that one during a running process records changes in the characteristic emissions/absorptions and relates these changes to the condition of the process and with reference hereto controls the process.

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: In a process for utiliting zinc-containing metallurgical dusts and sludges, the zinc-containing dusts and sludges are agglomerated, briquetted in a cold manner or pelletized and are added to the charge of a melting furnace for melting metal from metallized charges such as, scrap iron or pig iron. For this purpose, there are in particular used agglomerates or pellets having a metallizing degree of at least 30 percent by weight, preferably of at least 40 percent by weight.