GB1323251A - Continuous metallurgical process - Google Patents

Abstract

1323251 Treating molten metal C F NIEHAUS 19 April 1971 [13 April 1970] 25967/71 Heading C7D Molten metal is treated continuously in a tilted reaction vessel which is rotated to produce surface and sub-surface mixing in the bath. Molten metal and a treating ingredient are continuously added to the top of the bath and treated metal is withdrawn from the top portion of the bath adjacent the upward facing inner wall at the front of the reaction vessel at a position spaced from the position at which untreated metal is introduced. The invention may be applied to continuous desulphurizing or recarburizing of molten iron, continuous refining of copper matte to form copper, production of alloys and refining and mixing of copper alloys. Apparatus shown is useful in the oxygen converter refining of pig iron to produce steel. Molten pig iron is introduced through inlet spout 13 to vessel 10. Fluxes such as lime and fluorspar are added to the top of the bath and oxygen is blown in through a lance 19. As shown in Fig. 5 the inner surface of the vessel has diametrically opposed plane portions 30, 31 connected by curved wall portions 32, 33 and has opposed inclined lower portions 34, 35. This conformation produces strong downward currents 50 and upward currents 51 when the planar portions are at the back and front of the tilted vessel. Treated metal overflows at the front, i.e. lowermost part of the vessel rim through a spout 14 which extends round the rim, and is removed for further treatment through a spout 16 connected to hood 21. Two or more such vessels may be operated in series to perform separate operations successively on metal flowing therethrough.