Abstract: A method of selectively oxidizing one or more target metals in an alloy comprising target and non-target metals is provided. The method comprises the steps of: i) melting the alloy and exposing the molten alloy to simultaneous fragmentation and oxidation in the presence of an oxygenated atomizing gas under conditions sufficient to yield an oxidation potential that oxidizes the one or more target metals in the alloy and does not oxidize the non-target metal(s); and ii) allowing the treated alloy to solidify. The method is useful to purify a non-target base metal. The method is also useful to produce a metal compound comprising a desired content of one or more oxidized target metals above the theoretical maximum generally achieved by thermal plasma spray surface coating applications.

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 of suppressing slag foaming that can grasp a state of slag foaming in the continuous melting furnace and accurately suppress the slag foaming so as to enable continuous production of molten metal in a stable state. This method includes charging of a suppressor into slag in the furnace, measuring a flow rate of a flue gas discharged from the continuous melting furnace during blowing of the slag over time, increasing a charging speed rate of the suppressor if the flue gas flow rate has an increasing tendency and decreasing the charging speed rate of the suppressor if the flue gas flow rate has a decreasing tendency.

Abstract: A method for when preheating a ladle for use in steelmaking where less fuel is consumed in heating the ladle efficiently accurately to a controlled temperature. A temperature of a preheating process is varied by controlling a burner of the heating unit based on measurements of refractories of the ladle taken by a pyrometer. The heating unit includes an emissive coating for reducing heat loss and efficient heating during the preheating process. The heating unit also includes valve mechanisms for accurately varying a flame size of the burner of the heating unit during an idle stage of the preheating process.

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: 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 direct reduction process for a solid metalliferous material having a particle size distribution that at least in part contains micron sized particles includes supplying the metalliferous material, a solid carbonaceous material, an oxygen-containing gas, and a fluidizing gas into a fluidized bed in a vessel and maintaining the fluidized bed in the vessel, at least partially reducing metalliferous material in the vessel, and discharging a product stream that comprises the partially reduced metalliferous material from the vessel. The process includes (a) establishing and maintaining a carbon-rich zone within the fluidized bed; (b) passing metalliferous material, including metallized material (which term includes partially metallized material), through the carbon-rich zone; and (c) injecting the oxygen-containing gas into the carbon-rich zone and oxidizing metallized material, solid carbonaceous material and other oxidizable solids and gases and causing controlled agglomeration of particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for charging hot direct reduced iron (HDRI) from hot transport vessels (HTVs) into a melter or finisher. In general, the apparatus includes a charging stand including a plurality of bays for receiving and supporting a plurality of HTVs. Each HTV includes at least an outlet port. This outlet port is configured to engage an inlet port of one of the plurality of bays of the charging stand via a telescoping seal that provides a substantially air-tight seal. A feed device is provided that moves the HDRI disposed within the HTVs from the outlet port/inlet port interface to a melter or finisher, such as an electric arc furnace (EAF) or the like. The charging stand also includes one or more load cells operable for weighing the HTVs and the HDRI disposed therein, such that a computer or other logic may be used to control the feed rate of the HDRI charged into the melter or finisher.

Abstract: Method and plant for pre-heating, transforming and melting a metal charge comprising metal scrap, in an electric arc furnace associated with a tunnel to transport, pre-heat and discharge the scrap. The furnace comprises a hearth and a roof through which the electrodes pass. The method provides that the furnace is weighed at least periodically in order to detect the quantity of discharged scrap present inside the furnace itself, that the temperature of the liquid bath inside the furnace is detected at least periodically and that at least the discharge delivery of the scrap inside the furnace is detected by weighing and is regulated in order to maintain the temperature of the liquid bath around a pre-determined value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for renovating a combined system consisting of a blast furnace supplied with an oxidant fluid received at least partly from an air/gas separation unit (ASU). The method consists in injecting, before renovation, at least 50% of the flow rate of the blower feeding the blast furnace into an ASU to produce oxygen whose purity is greater than 90% by volume of O2 which feeds the blast furnace, in controlling the blower airflow rate and the pressure of the air derived therefrom by a regulator which measures the flow rate and/or pressure at the input and/or output of a cleaning stage which is mounted upstream of the separation unit to control the flow rate and pressure of the air derived from the blower. The fluid feeding the blast furnace consists of pure oxygen or diluted by air produced by the cryogenic separation unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for charging hot direct reduced iron (HDRI) from hot transport vessels (HTVs) into a melter or finisher. In general, the apparatus includes a charging stand including a plurality of bays for receiving and supporting a plurality of HTVs. Each HTV includes at least an outlet port. This outlet port is configured to engage an inlet port of one of the plurality of bays of the charging stand via a telescoping seal that provides a substantially air-tight seal. A feed device is provided that moves the HDRI disposed within the HTVs from the outlet port/inlet port interface to a melter or finisher, such as an electric arc furnace (EAF) or the like. The charging stand also includes one or more load cells operable for weighing the HTVs and the HDRI disposed therein, such that a computer or other logic may be used to control the feed rate of the HDRI charged into the melter or finisher.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method, which helps to reduce and remove the build-up forming on the grate of a fluidized-bed furnace in the roasting of fine-grained material such as concentrate. The concentrate is fed into the roaster from the wall of the furnace, and oxygen-containing gas is fed via gas nozzles under the grate in the bottom of the furnace in order to fluidize the concentrate and oxidize it during fluidization. Below the concentrate feed point, or feed grate, the oxygen content of the gas to be fed is raised compared with the oxygen content of the gas fed elsewhere.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for stabilizing a fluidized bed used in roasting by adjusting the oxygen content of the roasting gas in the bed. The fine-grained material for roasting is fed into the furnace above the fluidized bed and the roasting gas, which causes the fluidizing, is fed into the bottom of the furnace through a grate. In this method, the total amount of oxygen in the roasting gas to be fed and the average total oxygen requirement of the material to be roasted are calculated and the ratio between them regulated so that the oxygen coefficient in the bed is over 1.

Abstract: A method of processing molten metal by the injection of oxygen through a water cooled supersonic oxygen injection lance. In the first step of the process, oxygen is injected through the injection lance at an initial flowrate to the process which is the optimal flowrate for the lance tip design. Thereafter, at least one process variable relating to the required oxygen flowrate is continuously measured, and oxygen flowrate may be reduced. A second gas flowrate is admixed to the injection lance to maintain the optimal overall gas flowrate to the process while reducing the oxygen flowrate.

Abstract: A method of recovering a precious metal from a sulphide mineral slurry which contains the precious metal which includes the steps of subjecting the slurry to a bioleaching process, supplying a feed gas which contains in excess of 21% oxygen by volume to the slurry, and recovering precious metal from a bioleach residue of the bioleaching process.

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 molten metal treatment furnace (10) with metal treatment and level control includes a heating chamber (12) for containing and heating a supply of molten metal (60), a pump (22) connected to the heating chamber (12), a molten metal treatment chamber (16, 18) located at the outlet of the pump (22), and a dosing chamber (40) located downstream and in fluid communication with the molten metal treatment chamber (16, 18). A trough (44) is connected to the dosing chamber (40) for supplying the molten metal (60) to a downstream process. A molten metal level sensor (66) is located in the dosing chamber (40). The pump (22) is a variable speed pump having a pump inlet (24) connected to the heating chamber (12) and configured to pump the molten metal (60) through the furnace (10) during operation. The molten metal level sensor (66) is connected to the pump (22) for providing a pump speed control signal to the pump (22).

Abstract: A dosing furnace (10) with metal treatment and level control includes a holding chamber (12) for containing a supply of molten metal (50), a pump (22) connected to the holding chamber (12), a molten metal treatment chamber (16, 18) located at an outlet (26) of the pump (22), and a dosing chamber (40) located downstream and in fluid communication with the molten metal treatment chamber (16, 18). A molten metal level sensor (56) is located in the dosing chamber (40). The pump (22) is a variable speed pump having a pump inlet (24) connected to the holding chamber (12) and configured to pump the molten metal (50) through the dosing furnace (10) during operation. The molten metal level sensor (56) is connected to the pump (22) for providing a pump speed control signal to the pump (22).

Abstract: It is possible to stably observe the temperature and/or composition of molten iron in a refining furnace by opening a tuyere for observation at all times according to the state of refining. There is provided a method of observing the inside of a molten metal refining furnace comprising the steps of: using a single tube tuyere for observing the temperature and/or composition of molten iron in the refining furnace via a tube penetrating refractories of a furnace wall and/or furnace bottom of the molten iron refining furnace by detecting electromagnetic waves radiated from molten metal at a forward end of the tuyere under a non-contact condition; and using an inert gas or an oxidizing gas, alone or mixed, according to the opening condition of the forward end of the tuyere.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the continuous degassing of molten metals and subsequent casting of the degassed metal, according to which the molten metal is guided into a vacuum for the purpose of degasification and after degasification is transferred into a casting chamber. To make it possible to carry out these operations continuously and to prevent the degassed metal from coming into contact with untreated metal, the invention provides for the molten metal to be transferred from a first chamber via an ascension pipe having an inlet opening located below the level of the metal bath into a vacuum chamber serving as degasification chamber by utilizing only the lift force resulting from the pressure differential between the vacuum chamber and the first chamber and no other means of transport. From the vacuum chamber the molten meal by gravity flows into the downpipe whose outlet opening is below the level of the molten metal bath in the casting chamber and enters the casting chamber.

Abstract: A method for effecting direct reduction of iron oxides in the form of lumps or pellets, in which an ore burden is passed downwardly successively through prereduction and metallization zones of a shaft furnace while passing a flow of rich fuel gas produced by external partial combustion upwardly in counter current through the prereduction zone, and passing a flow of reducing gas in cocurrent though the metallization zone. The flow of reducing gas is an independent flow that has not been subject to external combustion, and an intermediate zone is provided forming a narrowed throat between the prereduction and metallization zones. The reducing gas is introduced at a boundary between the intermediate and metallization zones, such that passage of rich fuel gas from the prereduction zone to the metallization zone is inhibited. The gas flows should be controlled so that about 5% to 10% of the volume of reducing gas passes upwardly from the intermediate zone to the prereduction zone.

Abstract: A process for stirring molten steel in a container. In this process, argon gas is introduced into the container at a flow rate of from about 0.005 to about 0.2 cubic feet of argon per ton of molten steel per minute, the extent to which said container is caused to vibrate is measured, analog signals are produced corresponding to the rate of flow of argon gas into said container, the analog signals are sampled at a rate of at least 800 times per second, the analog signals are converted to digital signals, the digital signals are transformed by subjecting them to fast Fourier transformation, and the transformed digital signals are evaluated.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for producing metal from metal ores, in particular crude or pig iron from iron ore, wherein the ore which contains metal oxides is brought into contact with a reducing gas which contains carbon and/or hydrogen from solid, carbon-bearing and/or hydrocarbon-bearing substances obtained at least partially from plastic waste. According to the invention, the carbon-bearing and/or hydrocarbon-bearing substances are injected in comminuted fluidized form as an agglomerate into the air flow in the hearth of the metallurgical shaft or pit furnace, in particular a blast furnace. The apparatus includes a first shut-off device that is closed when blockages of the plastic material occur in the transport conduit or the lance, a second shut-off device that is closed when hot air penetrates into the transport conduit and/or the lance by reverse flow, and a third shut-off device that is closed when compressed air is supplied to a lance for cooling.

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 process for decarburizing a steel melt for the production of high-chromium steels by blowing in oxygen in which the decarburization rate is continuously measured and the amount of oxygen to be injected is adjusted depending on the measured values. The following controlled quantities are calculated:a) the duration of the Al--Si oxidation phase at the start of the decarburization process,b) the duration of a principle decarburization phase immediately following the Al--Si oxidation phase until the transition point from the decarburization reaction to the metal oxidation is reached, andc) the decarburization rate in the principal decarburization phase. The injected oxygen quantity is increased at an accelerated rate immediately following the Al--Si oxidation phase to the oxygen quantity of the principal decarburization phase until the decarburization rate calculated in c) is reached.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved control of continuous electric arc furnace steelmaking in which a charge velocity detector measures charge velocity of metallic charge introduced to the furnace. A charge mass detector measures a charge mass of metallic charge introduced to the furnace. A computer determines a feed rate based on the charge velocity and the charge mass. An automatic bath level probe detects a steel bath. The computer determines a steel bath level and optimal positions to insert a temperature probe and an oxygen lance, and further predicts new bath levels from one tapping time to the next tapping time. The temperature probe is inserted to an optimal measurement position based on the steel bath level and measures a steel bath temperature. The oxygen lance is positioned and maintained at an optimal oxygen injection position and injects oxygen into the bath.

Abstract: In a melt shop for melting scrap to make steel, increased tonnage output for continuous casting for a given primary melt capacity can be obtained by stacking heated ladles of molten steel in inventory at a holding station before the ladles are transferred the ladle refining station or stacking refined ladles, or both, in advance of commencement of casting.

Abstract: A BOF process in which iron oxide units are added to the melt during the blow characterized in that the oxygen flow is reduced during pellet feeding and is replenished with inert gas so that the total gas flow remains the same as that designed to achieve optimum BOF performance.

Abstract: A method of improving post-combustion heat recovery in a vessel containing a charge of molten ferrous metal and slag includes the use of a lance for the introduction of oxygen gas into the charge. The method includes blowing oxygen into the charge through at least one first nozzle of the lance for refining the molten metal into steel. Oxygen is blown through at least one second nozzle of the lance from at least one location spaced above the first nozzle at an oxygen flow rate effective to produce foamy slag in an amount for obtaining a post-combustion heat transfer efficiency of at least about 40% without appreciable overflow of the slag from the vessel. The oxygen flow rate from the second nozzle is at a minimum at about a starting point of a peak decarburization period of the charge. Iron oxide containing pellets may also be added to the charge.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of melting fine particles containing carbon, capable of uniformly burning and melting the fine particles throughout the entire zone of the combustion flame. The apparatus includes a triple tube structure including an inner oxygen feeding section having an oxygen inlet tube provided with an oxygen feeding passage, a particle feeding section arranged surrounding the inner oxygen feeding section, comprising a particle inlet tube, a feeding tube and a feeding passage, and an outer oxygen feeding section arranged surrounding the particle feeding section, comprising an outer oxygen inlet tube, a feeding tube and a feeding passage. The front ends of the inner oxygen feeding tube, particle feeding tube and outer oxygen feeding tube constitute a nozzle which serves to inject the fine particles fed through the particle feeding tube together with air and/or oxygen flows respectively fed through the inner and outer oxygen feeding tubes to be burned and melted.

Abstract: Vortex melting furnace facilities picks up an image of molten slag flow in a direction traverse to the molten slag flow discharged from the furnace, calculates a molten slag flow rate by brilliance discrimination of the image pick-up signal and controls a water feed rate of a molten slag wet granulation and granulated slag dewatering apparatus and a flow rate of the molten slag in the vortex melting furnace. A video camera is arranged such that a direction of image pick-up traverses to a direction of the molten slag flow and the resulting image is brilliance discriminated by a high brilliance area for the molten slag and a low brilliance area for a molten slag conduit, and the high brilliance area is converted to the fusion flow rate from a liquid level of the molten slag in the fusion conduit.

Abstract: In tapping method in which molten iron (16) and molten slag (18) are discharged from a blast furnace, a conducting pipe (30) is connected to the external side of a molten iron taphole (12), and an electromagnetic energy supply body (32) is disposed around the outer periphery of the conducting pipe (30), whereby a turning motion or a magnetic pressure due to an electromagnetic repulsive force to the molten iron flowing in the conducting pipe (30) for separating the molten iron (16) from the molten slag (18) thus controlling the discharge rates thereof. With this tapping method, it becomes possible to keep substantially constant the discharged amounts of molten iron and molten slag from the blast furnace during a period from the starting to the completion of the tapping and significantly reduce the number of drilling/blocking upon tapping, and hence to stabilize quality of products and save the tapping work.

Abstract: A method of improving the post-combustion heat recovery in a basic oxygen furnace by controllably forming a foamy slag. The foamy slag is generated by increasing the lance height and reducing the rate of lance height reduction during the oxygen blowing cycle. The foamy slag is controlled to prevent slopping by calculating the approximate starting point of the peak decarburization period for the charge and then adjusting the oxygen flow rate to be at a minimum at the commencement of the peak decarburization period.

Abstract: A process for feeding a second stream of pulverulent materials into a pneumatic conveying line carrying a first controllable flow of pulverulent materials is presented. The second stream of pulverulent materials is fed at a controlled rate and the control of the first flow is rendered insensitive to disturbances caused by the feeding of the second stream by directly or indirectly controlling the first flow upstream of the injection point of the second stream.

Abstract: A vessel used for transfer of molten metal having a refractory filter wall with filters for removing inclusion from molten metal as it flows through the vessel. The refractory filter wall having passages sized according to a predetermined volume of molten metal that is to be filtered, the desired flow rate of molten metal through the vessel and the limiting characteristics of the filters. In another aspect of the invention, protrusions are provided on refractory walls of the vessel to enhance deposition of non-metallic inclusions on the protrusions by disrupting the boundary layer flow in the molten metal.

Abstract: First and second electrodes are inserted into molten metal. A first pseudo random signal is transmitted to the first electrode, and at the same time the first pseudo random signal and a second pseudo random signal which has the same pattern as the first pseudo random signal but which is slightly different in frequency from the first pseudo random signal are multiplied by each other in a first multiplier to thereby calculate a first product value. A signal obtained from the second electrode and the second pseudo random signal are multiplied by each other in a second multiplier to thereby obtain a second product value. The displacement of the molten metal is calculated from the time difference between maximum correlation values respectively appearing in time series patterns of the first and second product values.

Abstract: A method of heating a melt containing an oxidizable substance in which a fuel is burned with an oxidant by projecting fuel oxidant jets over the melt. The fuel and the oxidant jets have a fuel jet momentum and an oxidant jet momentum, respectively. The oxidant jet produces a top oxidation layer on the top surface of the melt and such top oxidation layer has a thickness. The oxidant jet momentum is adjusted to be below a threshold momentum at which the top oxidation layer is forces aside by the oxidant jet to expose fresh melt that potentially can be oxidized and can increase the thickness of the top oxidation layer. The fuel-jet momentum is adjusted so that it is greater than the oxidant jet momentum to draw the oxidant jet towards the fuel jet and thereby forms a desired combustible mixture in a mixing layer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling the pneumatic transport of friable particulate solid material through a transport pipe by means of a carrier gas circulating in a loop comprising the transport pipe and a carrier gas recycle conduit. A value of kinetic energy of the carrier gas is determined at a location proximal to a point of introduction of the material into the transport pipe. This value is compared with a kinetic energy set point to produce a first control signal which controls venting of carrier gas from the loop. A value of flow rate of the carrier gas in the loop is determined and compared with a comparison signal based on the first control signal to produce a second control signal. The second control signal is used to control the flow rate of the carrier gas through the carrier gas loop.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a molten metal producing and refining method which does not damage the apparatus, realizes a stable and high second combustion rate, and is capable of effectively recovering heat generated by the second combustion. The method comprises introducing a metal-containing material, a carbonaceous material, a flux and O.sub.2 gas into a furnace. The carbon which dissolves into the metal bath in the furnace from the carbonaceous material is combusted with the O.sub.2 gas to generate heat and CO gas. The CO gas is subjected to the second combustion with the O.sub.2 gas to additionally generate heat, and the metal-containing material is melted and refined by both the generated heat and carbon. The method is characterized in that O.sub.2 gas or O.sub.2 -containing gas is blown into the furnace through large-diameter tuyeres installed near the bottom of the furnace and a part of the O.sub.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new process and a new apparatus for the treatment of steel-mill slag in a vessel which allows a wet granulation of the slag without the risk of explosions. The slag is caused to flow through a taphole at the bottom of the vessel, and the flow rate of the slag is determined by means of a continuous check of the weight of the vessel. One or more jets of granulating water, the flow rate of which is adjusted as a function of the slag flow rate, are directed onto the stream of slag flowing from the vessel. The apparatus comprises a vessel containing molten slag. This vessel is equipped with weighing means, with a taphole, with a device for shutting off the taphole, with means for maneuvering the shut-off device between an operating position and a stored or parked position away from the taphole and with a device for opening or freeing the taphole, engageable through the latter in order to initiate the flow of slag.

Abstract: The present invention includes process and apparatus for continuously monitoring or detecting a liquid element or compound in another, different liquid including introducing a gas into a first liquid, measuring bubble size of bubble formation of the gas in the first liquid, introducing a second liquid element or compound into the first liquid to form a combination liquid, introducing a gas into the combination liquid, measuring bubble size of bubble formation of the gas in the combination liquid, and comparing gas bubble formation in the first liquid with gas bubble formation in the combination liquid to determine the amount of the second liquid in the combination liquid. The present invention further includes controlling or adjusting the amount of the second liquid contained in the first liquid in response to the monitoring and detecting determination of the present invention.

Abstract: In a control method of material dumping at top of a blast furnace, in which material stored in a furnace top bunker is dumped through a flow rate control gate into a blast furnace in a specified time, value of initial material weight before the transfer start, divided by the specified time is set to first target dumping speed, and opening of the flow rate control gate is feedback controlled based on the measured material weight during dumping, so that the actual dumping speed after the dumping start is coincident with the first target dumping speed, and further, if necessary, remaining material weight in the furnace top bunker on the way of dumping is actually measured and value of the remaining material weight divided by the remaining time is set to second target dumping speed, and opening of the flow rate control gate is feedback controlled, based on the measured material weight during dumping, so that the second dumping speed after the measurement of the remaining material weight is coincident with the sec

Abstract: A apparatus is disclosed which is utilized for treatment of molten metal contained in a vessel by injection of powdered reagent below the surface of the molten metal which includes an elongated lance body containing longitudinal conduits for delivery of the powdered reagent below the surface of the molten metal, a first and second reagent supply device and a control device which independently regulates the flow of the reagent in a pressure stream of gases through the conduits. The first and second reagent supply device provides the reagent which is injected into a pressure stream by the control device. Each of the flows through the conduits are regulated independent of one another in order to prevent clogging of the exit ports of the conduits while eliminating any splash and turbulence.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for direct reduction of metal oxides, using a rotary kiln, fed with greenball pellets, the kiln having a feed-end and a discharge end. A first chamber within the kiln, and adjacent to the feed-end, is used for drying, preheating and indurating the greenball pellets. Greenball pellets are fed into the first chamber using a conventional mechanism. The feed-end is sealed to prevent egress of process gas from the kiln into the atmosphere and ingress of the atmosphere into the kiln. A first burner is used for drying, preheating and indurating the greenball pellets within the first chamber. A second chamber within the kiln, adjacent to and connected with the first chamber, having a diameter greater than the first chamber, is used for reducing the pellets, the second chamber being adjacent to the discharge end. A second burner may be used for reducing the pellets within the second chamber. Reduced pellets are discharged from the discharge end.

Abstract: Inference is carried out through intermediate hypotheses representing physical states of a blast furnace using HG (Heuristic Grade) in order to comprehensively diagnose the state of the furnace to ascertain optimum actions. Specific parameters are monitored to immediately recognize a transition of conditions inside the furnace to additionally execute the inference. Various types of actions such as defensive actions and offensive actions are covered in this inference. A burden distribution estimation model considering collapse of a coke bed is used for calculating distribution inside the furnace to aid in deciding on an optimum action when an action to alter distribution in the furnace is required as the result of the inference. Creation and alteration of a knowledge base for the inference are carried out without interrupting the inference.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for operating blast furnace, wherein, when charging coke and ore alternately from the furnace top to form alternate coke and ore layers for operation of a blast furnace, a coke layer is formed by charging coke of properties especially suitable for improvement of gas and liquid permeability of the coke layer to the central part thereof or an ore layer is formed by charging ordinary versatile type coke to the central part of the ore layer prior to formation thereof. The centrally charged coke forms a major part of the dead coke layer which is sequentially renewed under the cohesive zone of the blast furnace to maintain appropriate gas and liquid permeability of the dead coke layer, thereby enhancing the production efficiency and stability of the blast furnace operation while suppressing erosive wear of refractory walls of the furnace.