Metallurgical furnace

Claim 2

A metallurgical furnace for producing molten metal from ore, wherein the improvement comprises: a. a refractory shell having an upper portion spaced apart from a lower portion; b. a refractory-lined conduit connected to and surrounding both said upper and said lower shell portions, said conduit having a continuous opening therein in communication with the space between said upper and lower portions and with c. said refractory lining forming a venturi throat between said upper and lower portions; d. means for moving said upper portion with respect to said lower portion to thereby vary the cross section of said venturi throat; and e. means for distributing blast air in said conduit so that it flows into said furnace.

Claim 3

The invention of claim 1 wherein: a. said blast air passing through said venturi throat is directed angularly downward into said furnace.

Claim 4

The invention of claim 1 wherein: a. said means for varying the cross-sectional area of said passageway includes fluid-actuated means for urging said upper portion to move relative to said lower portion.

Claim 5

The invention of claim 3 including: a. means for cooling said blast air distributing conduit.

Claim 6

The invention of claim 1 wherein: a. said refractory lining of said conduit includes shapes that form said venturi throat.

Claim 7

The invention of claim 1 wherein: a. said lower fixed portion has a larger diameter than said upper movable portion.

Claim 8

The invention of claim 1 including: a. a plurality of inspection openings in said conduit.

Claim 9

A metallurgical furnace for producing molten metal from ore, wherein the improvement comprises: a. a refractory-lined envelope that includes a lower fixed portion and an upper movable portion spaced apart from said lower portion, the space between said lower and said upper portions constituting a circumferential passageway through said envelope; b. means for supporting and moving said upper movable portion of said envelope relative to said lower fixed portion; and c. a conduit encircling said envelope and having a continuous opening therein in communication with said space, said conduit serving as a carrier of blast air that enters said furnace through said space defined by refractory material so formed as to create a venturi throat.

Claim 10

A metallurgical furnace for producing molten metal from ore, wherein the improvement comprises: a. a refractory-lined envelope that includes a lower fixed portion and an upper movable portion spaced apart from said lower portion, the space between said lower and said upper portions constituting a circumferential passageway through said envelope; b. means for supporting and moving said upper movable portion of said envelope relative to said lower fixed portion; and c. a conduit encircling said envelope and having a continuous opening therein in communication with said space, said conduit serving as a carrier of blast air that enters said furnace through said space defined by refractory material so formed as to create a venturi throat.

Claim 11

The invention of claim 8 including: a. a plurality of inspection openings in said conduit.

Claim 12

The invention of claim 8 wherein: a. said lower fixed portion of said envelope has a larger diameter than said upper movable portion whereby said passageway is directed downward with respect to a horizontal plane through said conduit.

Claim 13

The invention of claim 8 wherein: a. said means for moving said upper envelope portion includes fluid-actuated cylinder-piston assemblies secured to i. said upper portion and to ii. fixed structure adjacent said envelope.

Claim 14

The invention of claim 8 wherein: a. the refractory material of said throat has means whereby a fluid may be dispersed through porous portions thereof to act as a coolant for the adjacent refractory.

Claim 15

The invention of claim 8 wherein: a. said refractory material of said throat has porous portions through which a fluid passes as a source of heat for said process.