GB785337A - Method of and apparatus for the continuous production of steel - Google Patents

Abstract

785,337. Steel manufacture. ROCHLINGSCHE EISEN-UND STAHL-WERKE GES. June 1, 1955 [Feb. 11, 1955], No. 15730/55. Class 72 A method of producing steel from pig iron by passing the molten pig iron through a plurality of reaction zones each of which effects a desired step in refining comprises charging the metal from an initial reaction chamber to the first reaction zone of the plurality of interconnected zones, the transference of metal from each zone to the next in series being by flow of metal from beneath the surface in each zone so that slag and gases from one zone do not pass into the next. As shown, the metal in an initial chamber I may be treated with lime or soda to remove sulphur and then poured into a first reaction chamber II, which may be circular in section and have an acid lining, where silicon and part of the carbon are removed by oxidation with gases blown through tuyeres 4 situated just above the surface of the metal. Cooling agents, e.g. scrap or iron ore, may be added through shoots 5. The metal then passes through a channel 6 at the bottom of chamber II into a second reaction chamber III, of circular section and having a basic lining, where the remainder of the carbon and phosphorus are removed by oxidation with gases blown through tuyeres 4 and iron ore, scrap or lime added through a shoot 7 to reduce the temperature to slightly above the melting point of the metal. The metal passes through a channel 11 into a third reaction chamber IV where it may be deoxidized, and finally through a channel 16, situated above the metal surface, to a storage chamber V, where alloying may take place. The slag may be removed in each chamber and carbon monoxide produced in chambers II and III burned. Chamber IV is heated to bring the temperature of the metal, which was reduced in chamber III. to the required value, and in chamber V the temperature is maintained by burners 17.