Slag furnace melt flow control valve

Claim 1

In an apparatus including a furnace having at least one wall and adapted to heat mineral slag to a temperature above its melting point and to discharge a molten stream of said slag onto an apparatus for fiberization of the slag into mineral wool, the improvement which comprises a valve assembly including retaining bracket means affixed to said wall, and a valve mounted in said bracket means, said valve comprising a first valve member formed of a metal plate fixedly mounted in said bracket means, and a second valve member formed of a metal plate slidably mounted in said bracket means, each of said valve members having an aperture provided therein for passing molten slag, the apertures of said first and second valve members being juxtaposed in the open condition of said valve and being non-juxtaposed in the closed condition thereof, the apertures being so contoured that, as the valve members move toward closed position, the resultant effective opening of the valve retains a uniform cross-section, wherein each valve member has an internal channel provided therein for circulating water, and duct means connected thereto for transporting water to and from the internal channels of said valve members, and power-operated means for moving said second movable valve member between open and closed position, and to any intermediate position.