Abstract: A tundish, wherein a steel passing hole (43) is provided at a lower portion of a gas-curtain weir refractory body (42); an argon duct (46), a gas chamber (45) and a gas-permeable brick (44) are connected to form a gas-curtain generating device, and the gas-curtain generating device is installed at the lower portion of the gas-curtain weir refractory body (42); the gas-permeable brick (44) is provided in association with the position of the steel passing hole (43), and a length of the gas-permeable brick is designed larger than a width of the steel passing hole (43); and a gas-curtain weir plate (4) is provided in a tundish container, the gas-curtain weir refractory body (42) crosses the tundish container horizontally, and divides the tundish container into a first region and a second region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a zero-waste process for extraction of alumina from different types of bauxite ores and red mud residues and of titanium dioxide from ilmenite. Iron oxide is first reduced to metallic iron above the melting point of C-saturated cast iron alloy which yields a high-C iron alloy and an Al and Ti metal oxide rich slag which is then treated with alkali carbonate to form alkali aluminates and titanates. The alkali aluminates are separated by water leaching from which the hydroxide of alumina is precipitated by bubbling C02. The residue from water leaching is treated with sulphuric acid and Ti02 is precipitated via a hydrolysis route. The process recovers most of the metal values and generates only small quantities of silicious residues at pH 4-5 which can be used for soil conditioning.

Abstract: A method and composition for removing sulfur from molten ferrous material, particularly molten iron. The desulfurization agent includes one or more pucks or briquettes of deoxidizing and/or desulfurization agent. The pucks or briquettes of deoxidizing and/or desulfurization agent include at least one deoxidizing metal and at least one ferrous metal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high efficiency method for scooping-up slag from liquid iron in a ladle. The two wings of slag rake mounted to the front end of cantilever descend side by side until beneath the surface of the liquid iron at a certain depth. The two rakes make swinging movements, respectively, along the surface of liquid iron. When gradually moving close to each other during the swinging movement, the slag rakes push together and clamp the solid slag. While clamping the slag, the two slag rakes are driven upwardly by the cantilever until they are above the surface by a certain height. Finally, the slag rakes leave the space over the ladle, and discharge the slag. The de-slagging rate can reach over 90%, and the process takes less than 3 minutes. Additionally, the iron carried away while scooping-up the slag can be strictly controlled within 0.1%.

Abstract: A method of alloying an iron majority compound with an oxide is provided. The method may include: heating the iron majority compound to a molten state; adding an oxide containing manganese to the molten iron majority compound; adding slag forming materials and reducers to the molten iron majority compound; controlling the iron majority compound to achieve a desired temperature environment for a desired period of time; and removing slag from the iron majority compound.

Abstract: This invention relates to a waste treatment furnace and method comprising: Generating a molten metal bed, which moves in a forward direction, such as to define a closed circuit in a cyclical and continuous manner, the surface of said bed comprising at least one essentially-slag-free segment. Loading waste onto the aforementioned essentially-slag-free segment, the waste being dragged by the molten metal bed such that it floats in the mentioned forward direction. Retaining the waste on the surface of the molten metal bed as it moves in the mentioned forward direction. Treating the waste under the effect of the constant and continuous heat exchange generated by the movement of the molten metal bed beneath the waste retained thereon.

Abstract: A method of alloying an iron majority compound with an oxide is provided. The method may include: heating the iron majority compound to a molten state; adding an oxide containing manganese to the molten iron majority compound; adding slag forming materials and reducers to the molten iron majority compound; controlling the iron majority compound to achieve a desired temperature environment for a desired period of time; and removing slag from the iron majority compound.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ferritic stainless steel containing an ultra low level of carbon concentration in molten steel within time shorter than existing technology by controlling content, appropriate composition, and liquid-state fraction, etc., of Cr2 O3 in slag to maximize vacuum decarburization refining efficiency, the method comprising: tapping molten steel to a ladle in a non-deoxidized state after pre-decarburization and denitrification in an ARGON OXYGEN DECARBURIZATION refining furnace and then removing non-deoxidized slag; placing the ladle in a vacuum furnace, reducing pressure and then blowing-in oxygen gas from the upper of the molten steel through a lance; creating Al2 O3 by injecting Al at point of time of beginning of oxygen blowing; forming CaO—Al2 O3 —Cr2 O3 —MgO-based slag by injecting calcium oxide at point of time of completion of the oxygen blowing; and supplying inert gas through a porous plug on a bottom of the ladle.

Abstract: To degas a molten metal, a receptacle containing the molten metal and a layer of slag over the molten metal is positioned in a chamber, and the chamber is evacuated. As the pressure in the chamber reduces, gas is generated at the interface between the molten metal and the slag, which causes the slag to foam. To inhibit overflowing of slag from the receptacle, a gauge outputs a signal indicative of the level of the surface of the slag, and the rate of evacuation of the chamber is reduced to reduce the rate of gas generation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high efficiency method for scooping-up slag from liquid iron in a ladle. The two wings of slag rake mounted to the front end of cantilever descend side by side until beneath the surface of the liquid iron at a certain depth. The two rakes make swinging movements, respectively, along the surface of liquid iron. When gradually moving close to each other during the swinging movement, the slag rakes push together and clamp the solid slag. While clamping the slag, the two slag rakes are driven upwardly by the cantilever until they are above the surface by a certain height. Finally, the slag rakes leave the space over the ladle, and discharge the slag. The de-slagging rate can reach over 90%, and the process takes less than 3 minutes. Additionally, the iron carried away while scooping-up the slag can be strictly controlled within 0.1%.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of processing a starting material in the form of a metal oxide-containing raw metallurgical slag to obtain a processed slag product. The method includes admixing the raw slag with a reductant to obtain a reaction mixture and heating the reaction mixture to cause the reductant to reduce the metal oxide in the slag, to obtain molten metal, in particular containing ferromanganese, and molten processed slag, in particular having a manganese content of at most 10% by mass. The method further includes separating the molten processed slag from the molten metal and causing or allowing the molten processed slag to solidify, thereby to obtain a solid processed slag product. This processed slag product may be, as desired, a filler for use in brick-making or for use in formulating a ready-mix concrete, an extender for extending a cement or for producing a blended cement, or an aggregate for use in the construction or building industry.

Abstract: A method of and system for processing red mud, the method comprising the step of heating red mud to form at least molten slag, and preferably at least molten iron and molten slag.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a steel melt containing up to 30% of Mn, which additionally may comprise up to 5% Si, up to 1.5% C, up to 22% Al, up to 25% Cr, up to 30% Ni, and up to 5% each of Ti, V, NB, Cu, Sn, Zr, Mo, and W, and up to 1% each of N and P, with the remainder being iron and unavoidable steel companion elements.

Abstract: A Method for the recovery of the secondary metallurgy (LF) slag from a plant for the production of steel, the method comprising a cooling step of the slag, by means of the passage of air and/or other gas, a breakdown step, a step of extracting the powder, wherein the breakdown step is accelerated by means of forced convection of a cooling fluid and/or another reaction, gas and by means of moving the slag mass by overturning and vibrating support gratings. The overturning and vibrating support gratings are provided inside closed metallic boxes which are connected in series and closed with movable containment partitions to form a treatment module. The breakdown, step is accelerated by means of overturning the slag mass from the support grating of one metallic box to the support grating of an adjoining box.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of high efficient slag scooping-up from liquid iron and a device for implementing said method. The two wings of slag rake mounted to the front end of cantilever descend side by side until beneath the surface of the liquid iron at a certain depth. The two rakes make swing movement respectively along the surface of liquid iron. When gradually moving close to each other in the course of swing movement, they get put together and clamp the solid slag. Then, driven by the cantilever, the two slag rakes which clamp the sold slag are brought to ascend until above the surface at a certain height. Finally they leave the space over the ladle and discharge the slag. The deslagging rate can reach over 90%. It just takes less than 3 minutes for the whole process of slagging-off. Additionally, the iron carried away in the process of slagging-off could be greatly reduced. The iron loss rate can be strictly controlled within 0.1%.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of processing a starting material in the form of a metal oxide-containing raw metallurgical slag to obtain a processed slag product. The method includes admixing the raw slag with a reductant to obtain a reaction mixture and heating the reaction mixture to cause the reductant to reduce the metal oxide in the slag, to obtain molten metal, in particular containing f erromanganese, and molten processed slag, in particular having a manganese content of at most 10% by mass. The method further includes separating the molten processed slag from the molten metal and causing or allowing the molten processed slag to solidify, thereby to obtain a solid processed slag product. This processed slag product may be, as desired, a filler for use in brick-making or for use in formulating a ready-mix concrete, an extender for extending a cement or for producing a blended cement, or an aggregate for use in the construction or building industry.

Abstract: A method of using an induction furnace to process iron ore into an iron product such as pig iron in which iron ore is the main or exclusive source of iron fed into the induction furnace.

Abstract: A direct smelting process for producing molten iron and/or ferroalloys from a metalliferous feed material is disclosed. The process is a molten bath based process that is carried out in a direct smelting vessel. The process includes the steps of supplying metalliferous feed material, carbonaceous material and fluxes into the vessel; smelting metalliferous feed material to molten iron in the molten bath; and injecting an oxygen-containing gas into the vessel to post-combust gases generated in the process. The process is characterised by controlling the level of molten metal in the vessel by adjusting the pressure in the vessel.

Abstract: The method for producing a mother alloy for an iron-based amorphous alloy has the steps of (a) melting raw materials for elements constituting the amorphous alloy together with at least one oxide of an element constituting the amorphous alloy, the raw materials containing aluminum as an inevitable impurity, and the oxide having a smaller standard free energy of formation than that of Al2O3 in an absolute value; and (b) removing the resultant Al2O3 from the melt, thereby reducing the content of aluminum to 50 ppm or less in the melt.

Abstract: The process for melting oxidic slags and combustion residues having a minimum content of metallized portions such as, e.g., iron and/or carbon carriers, of 3% by weight is carried out in a shaft furnace directly heated by means of fossil fuels via burners. The molten slag bath is transferred into a hearth type furnace immediately adjoining the shaft furnace and in which metals such as, for instance, copper are separated by sedimentation under thermal dissociation and discharged separately via a bottom outlet. The completely oxidized slag reaches a consecutively arranged slag treating reactor via a separate discharge.

Abstract: A melting furnace for reforming steel-making slag so as to be available, for example, to roadbed ballast by mixing steel-making dust with the slag in molten states, which is provided with a fuel oxygen burner for melting the slag and the dust, a slag charging port for charging the slag in molten state into the furnace, a dust feeder for supplying the dust into the furnace, a slag feeder for supplying the slag in powdered state into the furnace, a storage portion for storing a molten mixture of the slag and the dust in a quantity corresponding to a tilting angle of the furnace body and an outlet port for discharging the molten mixture, and is possible to dispose the slag efficiently whether the slag is in the powdered or molten state.

Abstract: Slag from a pool of molten slag floating on molten metal in a plasma arc treatment chamber is removed by providing a slag container located inside the chamber which has a slag intake pipe extending from a bottom of the container downwardly into the slag pool. A vacuum line is connected to the top of the container and a vacuum source. When a vacuum is applied to the inside of the container, the pressure prevailing in the chamber pushes the slag from the pool through the intake pipe into the container. When the container becomes filled with molten slag, the latter enters a section of the line communicating the top of the container with the vacuum source. As the slag enters the pipe section, it is cooled and solidified to prevent further slag flow into or gas (air) flow through the vacuum line so that the container can be lifted out of the chamber while the slag in the container is still in its molten state without causing slag spillage.

Abstract: In steel-making, there are conflicting processing requirements at different stages of the process. The method and apparatus of the invention creates different processing conditions at different stages of the process. Molten ferrous material (2) is stirred by bubbling a gas therethrough. A refractory ring (10) is first partially immersed in the molten steel within a substantially slag free portion of the surface of the molten ferrous metal to form a bounded substantially slag-free area. The molten steel is then heated by the introduction of exothermically reacting heating agents such as aluminium and oxygen through an oxygen gas line (7) and an aluminium delivery tube (9), respectively. The refractory ring (10) is then removed from the molten steel when the steel has reached a predetermined temperature and air is then excluded from the volume above the molten steel by placing a hood (16) over the ladle containing the molten steel. Sulphur is then removed from the steel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a furnace (1) for melting metal-bearing substances and/or production of liquid metal (4) of the type in which said metal (4) has above it a layer of slag (5) liable to be affected by a "foaming" phenomenon, in which a side wall of said furnace comprises an orifice (17) opening into an adjacent tank (22) capped with a vault (25), said tank (22) being capable of collecting a proportion of said slag (5) by overflowing through said orifice (17) when said foaming phenomenon takes on proportions that risk causing damage to said furnace (1).The invention also relates to a process for the production of liquid metal employing such a furnace.

Abstract: A process is described for producing amorphous metal alloys wherein impure ferrophosphorus slag, a by-product from a phosphorus-producing electric furnace, is used to supply phosphorus, chromium, vanadium and iron values to such alloys by mixing it with iron and any other desired metalloid and/or elements to form a molten mixture, treating the molten mixture to a separation step to remove insoluble slag formed in said molten mixture, and rapidly cooling the molten mixture to below its vitrification temperature to form a solid amorphous metal alloy.

Abstract: A process is described for producing amorphous metal alloys wherein impure ferrophosphorus slag, a by-product from a phosphorus-producing electric furnace, is used to supply phosphorus, chromium, vanadium and iron values to such alloys by treating the ferrophosphorus slag to a separation step to recover a purified molten ferrophos, mixing it with iron and any other desired metalloid and/or elements to form a molten mixture and rapidly cooling the molten mixture to below its vitrification temperature to form a solid amorphous metal alloy.

Abstract: A method for recovering useful metal included in slag generated from steel-making process in a convertor. The method comprises the steps of atomizing the slag in water, screening the atomized slag so as to be classified by sizes, dropping the classified slag of similar sizes into a flow of blowing air to sort it into a high-weight group and a low-weight group, and transferring the high-weight group into a furnace to recovering useful metal therefrom. The useful metal can be recovered at a low cost. In addition, since the inventive method does not accompany with the pulverization, polluting factor such as noise and dust is eliminated and thus, the working conditions become more comfortable. Moreover, the inventive method is advantageous in a view of reuse because the low-weight slag is used as useful materials such as short balls, grits, fluxes and aggregates.

Abstract: A device for detecting slag in molten metal comprises a ladle shroud with a hollow passage that communicates a ladle containing the molten metal to a tundish to allow the molten metal to flow from the ladle to the tundish, and an electrically conductive element positioned in a wall of the hollow passage, so that the element is in electrical contact with the molten metal. If the ladle shroud is electrically conductive, the electrically conductive element is electrically isolated therefrom by an insulating sleeve around the electrically conductive element. Preferably, the electrically conductive element is a steel pin, particularly one where the steel pin has an flanged end in electrical contact with said molten metal, and more particularly where opposite end has a bore therein to accommodate an electrical lead wire to communicate the pin to a voltmeter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of removing slag from a body of molten iron comprising the steps of providing a body of molten iron in a crucible, the body having a layer of slag on the surface thereof, the crucible having a side thereof for removing slag therefrom. Means is provided for removing the slag at the side from the surface of the molten iron. Gas is injected into the molten iron to concentrate the slag on the surface adjacent the side for removing the slag to facilitate removal thereof. The concentrated slag is removed over the side by the means for removing the slag.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for receiving molten slag and molten metal or alloy resulting from the smelting of ore from a cupola and for separating the slag from the molten metal or alloy. The slag separator of the present invention includes a refracting lining to protect the separator from the mechanical, chemical and thermal properties of the molten mixture. During the process of separation, the refractory however, suffers from erosion due to the mechanical, chemical and thermal properties of the mixture. A water cooling system is provided including water cooling jackets, provided on the outside of the refractory and surrounding the separation chambers, and water control valves to reduce refractory erosion and greatly increase refractory life. Further, vent holes may be provided in the refractory for venting any water which might leak from the water cooling system. In addition, the separator is provided with two chambers which allow the slag to rise to the top of the metal or alloy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for temporarily retaining slag and nonmetallic particles in a tundish while molten metal is being transferred through the tundish to other desired vessels. In particular, a meltable dam is placed into an opening between the chambers in a tundish, and the meltable dam retains an accumulation of molten metal in the pour chamber of the tundish with the slag and nonmetallic particles floating on top of that level such that the slag and nonmetallic particles are above the opening between the chambers of the tundish. The dam then completely melts and allows the transfer of molten metal through the opening. The slag and nonmetallic particles are retained in the pour chamber, however, because the molten metal being transferred into the pour chamber maintains the level in that chamber above the opening until almost all of the metal has been transferred into and through the chamber.

Abstract: A process and apparatus carries out the direct removal of slag floating on the molten metal within a metallurgical furnace via vacuum suction-tube which is inserted from above through a furnace discharge opening. The tube discharge is connected into an evacuated external slag-cooling chamber, within which the slag stream exiting the suction-tube is granulated by impinging water jets. The water and entrained slag granules descend by gravity through a communicating water-column vacuum-leg, terminating in an atmosphere-exposed pool, within which the granules are collected on a conveyor which dewaters the granules while carrying the slag out of the pool to an external pile or bin. The invention is capable of realizing slow slag discharge at controlled rates over long time periods, as well as in conjunction with the simultaneous and continuous metal withdrawal by a somewhat analagous metal siphon tube into an evacuated metal withdrawal chamber for casting.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for receiving molten slag and molten metal or alloy resulting from the smelting of ore from a cupola and for separating the slag from the molten metal or alloy. The slag separator of the present invention includes a refracting lining to protect the separator from the mechanical, chemical and thermal properties of the molten mixture. During the process of separation, the refractory however, suffers from erosion due to the mechanical, chemical and thermal properties of the mixture. A water cooling jacket is provided on the outside of the refractory to reduce refractory erosion and greatly increase refractory life. In addition, the separator is provided with two chambers which allow the slag to rise to the top of the metal or alloy. The slag then flows out of the chambers. The use of two chambers greatly increases the purity of the metal or alloy by allowing almost all of the slag to settle out of the metal or alloy.

Abstract: A ladle for housing and transferring liquid metal includes an outlet for the liquid metal and a ladle bottom. The ladle bottom has a surface adapted to be in contact with the liquid metal and an outlet nozzle formed in the surface adapted to be in fluid communication with the outlet of the ladle. The ladle bottom surface includes means to substantially prevent the entrainment of undesirable matter in liquid metal exiting said ladle.

Abstract: The disclosure is made for the use of a hearth for receiving metals to be melted and exposing the molten metals to the furnace atmosphere with the upper surface of the molten metal free to float impurities such as oxides, carbides, or other undesirable materials on the upper surface of the molten metal or alloy. Gas jets blow an inert gas in one direction over the upper surface of the molten metal, generally parallel to the upper surface of the molten alloy. Thus, the gas jets remove impurities from the upper surface of the molten alloy by blowing or skimming the impurities off the top of the pool toward the walls of the hearth. The preferred position of the gas jets is in the notch of the hearth over which the molten alloy flows from the main body of the hearth into a withdrawal crucible.

Abstract: The filtration of molten ferrous metal is accomplished by providing a porous ceramic filter preferably comprising particles of alumina and partially stabilized zirconia that are spaced by interconnected cells to form circuitous and tortuous pathways throughout the ceramic body. The filter is a disc-like structure that can have different surface configurations such as corrugations or a waffle design. The filter can be flat-surfaced with an array of cylindrical openings or counterboard openings extending completely through the filter, or with openings extending partially into the filter from the upper and lower sides of the filter. Several relatively thin filters can be arranged in tandem, if desired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the forced production of exceptionally clean steel wherein a metallurgical vessel is insulated and sealed to maintain a neutral environment into which steel is tapped and cleaned by use of gas injection and impurity precipitation and removal.