US3920447A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steel production method
Assignee: Pennsylvania Engineering Corp
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Filing: 1972-02-28
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Granted: 1975-11-18
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Expires: 1992-02-28
Abstract
Abstract Gases, fluxes and other materials are injected through the bottom of a vessel which converts a mixture of hot metal and scrap to steel. All solid materials are in powdered form when they are injected. Additional gases are injected through the side of the vessel to oxidize unburned combustible gases. Various data and parameters of the conversion system and affiliated steelmaking equipment are sensed prior to and during the course of the conversion. This information is processed by a computer which may dynamically control the flow of the materials so that the final molten product has the temperature and metallurgical composition which is prescribed by the order the computer has selected for the heat.
Inventors
- 👤 David L Schroeder
- 👤 Jai K Pearce
- 👤 Eberhard G Schempp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:57
CPC Classifications
C; C21; C21C; C21C5/00; C21C5/28; C21C5/30; C21C5/34; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/10; Y02P10/134; Y02P10/143; Y02P10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A METHOD OF TREATING METAL CONTAINED IN A METALLURGICAL VESSEL HAVING TUYERE MEANS FOR DELIVERING GASES BENEATH THE LEVEL OF SAID METAL AND A GAS DISCHAGE OPENING, SAID TUYERE MEANS INCLUDING A FIRST TUYERE PASSAGE AND A SECOND TUYERE PASSAGE SURROUNDING SAID FIRST TUYERE PASSAGE, THE STEPS OF: CHARGING SAID VESSEL WITH A QUANTITY OF SCRAP METAL WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY DELIVERING AN INERT GAS TO SAID VESSEL THRUGH SAID FIRST AND SECOND TUYERE PASSAGES, TERMINATING THE DELIVERY OF SAID INERT GAS, AND SMULTANEOUSLY DELIVERING TO SAID VESSEL AN OXYGEN CONTAINING GAS THRUGH ONE OF SAID TUYERE PASSAGES AND A FUEL THROUGH THE OTHER TO THEREBY PRODUCING HEAT FOR PREHEATING SAID SCRAP METAL.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A METHOD OF TREATING METAL CONTAINED IN A METALLURGICAL VESSEL HAVING TUYERE MEANS FOR DELIVERING GASES BENEATH THE LEVEL OF SAID METAL AND A GAS DISCHAGE OPENING, SAID TUYERE MEANS INCLUDING A FIRST TUYERE PASSAGE AND A SECOND TUYERE PASSAGE SURROUNDING SAID FIRST TUYERE PASSAGE, THE STEPS OF: CHARGING SAID VESSEL WITH A QUANTITY OF SCRAP METAL WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY DELIVERING AN INERT GAS TO SAID VESSEL THRUGH SAID FIRST AND SECOND TUYERE PASSAGES, TERMINATING THE DELIVERY OF SAID INERT GAS, AND SMULTANEOUSLY DELIVERING TO SAID VESSEL AN OXYGEN CONTAINING GAS THRUGH ONE OF SAID TUYERE PASSAGES AND A FUEL THROUGH THE OTHER TO THEREBY PRODUCING HEAT FOR PREHEATING SAID SCRAP METAL.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of reducing fumes and pollutants emitted to the atmosphere in connection with treating metal in a vessel which has means for delivering gases beneath the level of the metal and a gas discharge opening at least one gas collecting means being associated with said vessel and said vessel being tiltable between a first position wherein its opening is relatively closely coupled with respect to said gas collecting means, and a second position wherein said opening is relatively remote from said gas collecting means, said method comprising the steps of: a. tilting said vessel to its second position and charging it with scrap while simultaneously delivering inert gas into said vessel to thereby reduce the quantity of fumes which would otherwise be produced, and b. tilting said vessel to its first position and terminating the delivery of said inert gas and delivering into said vessel an oxygen containing gas and a combustible material to thereby produce heat for preheating said scrap metal and driving fume producing agents therefrom.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of reducing fumes and pollutants emitted to the atmosphere in connection with treating metal in a vessel which has means for delivering gases beneath the level of the metal and a gas discharge opening at least one gas collecting means being associated with said vessel and said vessel being tiltable between a first position wherein its opening is relatively closely coupled with respect to said gas collecting means, and a second position wherein said opening is relatively remote from said gas collecting means, said method comprising the steps of: a. tilting said vessel to its second position and charging it with scrap while simultaneously delivering inert gas into said vessel to thereby reduce the quantity of fumes which would otherwise be produced, and b. tilting said vessel to its first position and terminating the delivery of said inert gas and delivering into said vessel an oxygen containing gas and a combustible material to thereby produce heat for preheating said scrap metal and driving fume producing agents therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention set forth in claim 2 wherein: a. said inert gas is substantially nitrogen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The invention set forth in claim 2 including the step after said scrap metal preheating step of: a. tilting said vessel to said second position while simultaneously delivering inert gas into said vessel and charging said vessel with hot metal while continuing to deliver said inert gas, and b. then restoring said vessel to its first position to continue treating said metal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention set forth in claim 4 wherein: a. said last named inert gas is substantially nitrogen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said inert gas is substantially nitrogen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention set forth in claim 1 and including the step of: terminating the delivery of said oxygen containing gas and fuel, and charging said vessel with hot metal while simultaneously delivering inert gas into said vessel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
The invention set forth in claim 1 including: a. measuring the partial pressure of at least oxygen in gases evolved from said vessel opening during said scrap preheating step, and b. adjusting the flow rate of the oxygen containing gas during preheating until the oxygen partial pressure corresponds with substantially stoichiometric conditions of combustion existing between said combustible material and said oxygen in said delivered gas.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
95 words
The method set forth in claim 4 wherein said means for delivering gases comprises tuyere means extending through the refractory lining of the vessel and including the steps of: terminating the delivery of fuel and oxygen containing gas to the vessel and delivering a nonreactive gas to said tuyere means, tilting said vessel and adding a quantity of hot metal to said vessel, while continuing the delivery of said nonreactive gas, thereafter terminating the delivery of nonreactive gas and delivering through said tuyere means oxygen and hydrocarbon shielding fluid in surrounding relation to said oxygen.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-17 | 1979-05-19 | 1979-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-17 | 1983-05-19 | 1983-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-17 | 1987-05-19 | 1987-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |