US2641461A - Bessemer converter - Google Patents

Description

June 9, 1953 R. I Ewis l BESSEMER CONVERTER 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 17, 1951 INVENTOR.

BY REI-:D Lawls.

ATTORN June 9, 1953 R. LEWIS BEssEMER CONVERTER VFiled May 17, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENoRL BY REDLEWLS.

' T TORNE K5.

June 9, 1953 R. I Ewls BESSEMER CONVERTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 17, 1951 UOOOOOOOOOOOOOODO.

||||| IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII. |||||II||| IAWENTOR.u R E: E: D LEWIS.

www M June 9, 1953 R. I Ewls BEssEMER CONVERTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 17 1951 mmv L V www INVENTOR.

BY REED LEWIS. .Jw

ATTORNEYS.

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Patented June 9, 1953 BESSEMER CONVERTER Reed Lewis, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Crucible Steel Corporation of America, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application May 17, 1951, Serial No. 226,815

(Cl. 26S-36) 13 Claims.

This invention pertains to improvements in bessemer converters and bessemerizing processes.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a bessemer converter of novel construction wherein molten ferrous metal may be subjected to both the acid and basic bessemerizing processes, or vice versa, in successive stages without removing the molten metal from this single converter.

A further object is to provide a novel process employing a converter of the type aforesaid according to which an impure grade of ferrous metal, such as pig iron from the blast furnace, is first subjected to an acid bessemerizing blow, following which the acid slag is poured off, and the metal thereupon subjected to a basic bessemerizing operation in the presence of a basic slag.

In accordance with the fundamental precepts of the invention the aforesaid results are achieved with a side-blow type of bessemer converter consisting in its essentials of a converter vessel of generally closed, hollow conguration, having a single outlet port formed therein for escape of combustion products and through which the blow takes place. This vessel which may be of spherical, ovoid, cylindrical, or other suitable configuration, is in general so shaped as to provide a pair of hearths disposed respectively on opposite sides of said port. One of these hearths is provided with a refractory lining of a highmelting, acid or siliceous material, such as ganister, while the opposite hearth is lined with a high melting basic material such as dolomite. These acid and basic linings are terminated sufficiently apart on opposite sides of said port as to provide an intermediate Zone, including said port, which is lined with a high melting refractory material of neutral characteristics such as chromite, and which serves to separate the acid and basic linings from each other. The vessel is mounted for rotation about an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the port, whereby rotation to one position will cause a charge of molten iron deposited therein, to ow by gravity into the acid lined hearth, whereas rotation to the diametrically opposite position will cause the metal to flow into the basic lined hearth. It will be understood of course, that in thus causing the metal to flow from the acidlined to the basic-lined hearth, or vice versa, the direction of rotation must be such as to prevent discharge of the metal from the open or blow port above mentioned. That is the port must be swung from one horizontal position, upwardly to the oppositely disposed horizontal position. For introducing an air blast into the converter for effecting the blow, tuyres may be formed in the vessel walls on opposite sides of and in substantial alignment with the outlet port; or, alternatively, may be insertable through the outlet port or through suitable openings adjacent thereto. In either case the air blast is applied to the tuyres through suitable manifolds or headers as explained below-` As stated the converter is of the side-blow type, the blow being effected with the port horizontally disposed, or approximately so, pointing in one direction or the opposite depending on whether the bessemerizing is being carried out in the acid or in the basic hearth. The tuyres may be so disposed that a portion of the air blast may be injected onto or belowthe metal surface while the remaining portion is directed substantially7 parallel to the metal surface and into the gaseous combustion products.

In operation the furnace is rotated to a position such that the port is pointed upwardly in a vertical or suitably inclined position and a charge of molten ferrous metal, of an inferior or impure grade, such as pig iron, poured therein. The furnace is thereupon rotated to a posiiton such that the metal charge flows onto the acid hearth. Ordinarily no slag is added, although some iron oxide, such as 'Fe3O4, may be added at this point for purposes of assisting in the oxidation of the impurities and in the formation of the slag. The blow is then started by applying an air blast to the tuyres. During the blow the major portion of the silicon and some of the manganese and carbon are oxidized to silica, manganese oxide and carbon monoxide respectively. Also someof the carbon monoxide may be oxidized to carbon dioxide, as may be required for metal or slag temperature control. This oxidizing process results in the formation of an acid or siliceous slag which floats on the surface of the molten metal. At the end of the blow the air blast is turned off and substantially all of the slag is poured off by rotating the furnace until the port is pointed to a suitable downwardly inclined position.

Thereupon the furnace is rotated in the opposite direction until the molten metal flows/onto the basic hearth. Lime (CaO) with a slag thinner, such as fluospar (CaFz), if the latter is needed for fluidity of the slag, is then charged onto the surface of the metal, and the air blast again turned on, and the blow again started.

The air blastis again turned ofi and the con-r verter rotated suiciently to pour off the slag through the blow port. Thereupon the furnace is further rotated to discharge the steel into a ladle, for further processing in the openhearth or electric furnace or for teeming into ingots.v

As an alternative to the aforesaid process, if low temperature hot metal is charged into the converter, the blow can be started in the basic section. Phosphorous is thus eliminated to the" extent required, rst blowing with a basic slag as aforesaid, which is then poured off, and the metal thereupon transferred to the acid side of the converter for elimination of the other metallo'ids. A portion of the silicon present in the initial charge may be oxidized while the metal is inthe basic sectionto furnish that required for basic slag formation.

In the converter construction described, the purpose of interposing the zone of neutral or chrome lining between the acid and basic lined portions is to prevent the latter from contacting and hence interacting with one another. the acid and basic linings were in contact they would combine chemically to give a lower melting point silicate material, thereby producing a zone of contact subject to extremely rapid erosion or washing.'According1y for satisfactory operation and acceptably long life, it is necessary that the a-cid and basic linings be separated by a neutral lining, such as chromite, which does not combine or react with either the acid or basic linings, and which prevents the latter from reacting or combining with each other.

It is also essential to successful operation of n the converter that refractory materials be employed for the various linings which have high melting points, i. e. melting points well above that of the molten metal bath, as otherwise the linings will fail so rapidly as to be worthless from a practical operating standpoint. The average temperature of the metal bath during the acid blow is about 2910" F. and for thebasic' blow, about 2980 F. Since canister (acid), magnesite and dolomite (basic) and chromite (neutral) have melting points of about 3100", 5072", Zi000 and 4127" F., respectively, all well above the aforesaid temperatures of the molten metal bath', they are preferred materials for the acid, basic and neutral lined portions aforesaid of the converter.

Having thus described in its essentials, the novel bessernerv converter of the invention and the novel processes herein for employing the same, reference will now be had, fora more de'- tailed description, to the accompanying draw-v ings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectionalelevation of a cylindrical converter in accordance with a preferred modification of the invention; while Figures 2 to 6 inc. are respectively sections at 2 2 to 6 6 inc. of Fig. 1, Figs. 3 to 6 inc, being fragmentary views vsufficiently illustrative of the structuraldetails shown.

Figure '7 is a transverse sectional elevation through another modifi-cation of a' cylindrical converter in accordancewith the-invention, as

taken at '7 1' on the schematic plan view thereof, Fig. 7a. Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional elevation as taken at 8 8 of Fig. 7. Figure 9 is a staggered line sectional elevation as taken at 9 9 of Fig. 7. Figure 10 is a fragmentary right hand plan View of the manifold shown in Fig. 9. Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken at l-l i of Fig. 8; whileFigure 12 is an enlarged fragmentarysection taken at l2 l2 of Fig. 9. Figures 13 and 14 are respectively fragmentary sectional views taken at IE5-I3 and lll-I4 of Fig. 11. Figure 15 is a detail in elevation and partly in section of one of the tuyre nozzles.

Figures 16 and 17 are more or less diagrammatic sectional showings of a further modification of a generally cylindrical type of converter in accordance with the invention, having an oval or elliptical configuration in transverse section, Fig. 16 being a transverse sectional elevation as taken at |S l6 of Fig. 17, and Fig. 17 being a longitudinal sectional elevation as taken atil-i'l of Fig. 16. Fig. 18 is a more er less schematic showing of a still further modification, the tuyres of which are insertable through thefblow port and are independently adjustable in inclination with respect to the molten bath, thisview being a transverse sectional elevation corresponding .to Fig. 7.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6 inc., the converter 'v shown therein comprises an outer steel shell ID of cylindrical ccnnguration, made up of plane and circular end walls Ii, i2, and a cylindrical body i3, welded or otherwise secured together as shown. The body i3 has formed therein a slotlike rectangular opening extending longitudinally substantially the entire length thereof 'as outlined by the dashed rectangle I4-l7 inc., Fig. 2, and as shown in transverse section at I5, Il, Fig. 2. As shown most clearly in Fig. 2, the shell on one side of lsaid opening, is lined,` as at I8, with an acid or siliceous refractory material, such as ganister, and is lined on the opposite side of said opening, as at I9, with a basic refractory material, such as magnesite or dolomite. The acid and basic lined portions are thus spaced apart by an intermediate zone, which is lined, as f at'20, with a neutral material, such as chromite,

The slot-like opening lli-i7 formed in thev outer shell has inserted therein, a removable plug 2i of neutral refractory material. This plug is chamfered or belevel on all sides, as at 22, 23,

Figs. 1 and 4, to provide in effect awedge like' construction tapering inwardly on all foursides from its Outer to its innerk dimensions, in the manner illustrated in section in Fig. 4, in" order to wedge the plug lining in place with the contiguous converter lining, and the lining of the plug is further wedged in place by a grouting of clay or the like, as at 23.

Also, referring to Fig. e, the plug is held in place by means of steel plates; such as 2 la, which are welded to the outer steel shell i3d, ofthe .V

plug, and which with'the plug inserted, as'shown, overlap or overlie the contiguous portions of the outer converter shell i3, in the manner shown at are driven through the slots thus to vwedgingly lock the plug 2i in place against the converter shell in the manner illustrated. With this are l v rangement the plug 2l maybe quickly removed' byl merely knocking'out the wedges, thereby facilitating rapid and economical renewal of this portion of the lining, which is the portion most rapidly eroded.

The plug 2| has centrally formed therein a port 24, Fig. 2, for escape of combustion gases and comprises the outlet for the blow. This port is also used for charging and pouring. On Aeach side of port 24, the plug 2| has formed therein a series of tuyres, as at 24 to 28 inc. these tuyres, 25, are inclined toward the acidlined portion |8, for directing an air blast onto the surface of the molten metal during bessemerization in the acid-lined portion or hearth. Certain other tuyres 28 are inclined toward the basic-lined portion I9, for similarly directing an air blast onto the metal surface during bessemerization in the basic hearth. The remaining tuyres 26, 21 are parallel to the axis of the port 24 for directing air blasts into the gaseous products of combustion produced by the blow.

It is important that the plug 2| which includes the tuyre openings and blow outlet as above described, be easily removed and renewed in the manner above explained, because the area of most rapid lining erosion in a converter is that adjacent to and. including the tuyre openings, slag line and port through which the hot gases blow. rhe inclusion of the tuyres openings and blow port in this easily removable plug, is, therefore, a feature of considerable utility, since it permits tbe lining in these regions to be easily and quickly renewed without disturbing the remainder of the converter lining.

It will be observed that all of the tuyres 25-28 inc. enter the converter Well within the connes of the pouring lips 29, 30, of the port 24, thus.

permitting the pouring 01T of slag and molten metal without causing flow thereof into the tuyres. By reason of this construction the air blast may be shut off during the pouring, or during the blow, the latter in contrast to conventional bottom blow converters wherein this cannot be done. The port 24 may be of any` suitable aperture, rectangular, circular, oval, etc., and may extend between the tuyres openings, as at 3 I, for increased blowing aperture.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 4, the tuyres'25 to 28 inc., are supplied with an air blast from headers or manifolds 35 to 38 connected thereto respectively. Headers 35 and 36, preferably comprise concentric tubes, disposed one within the other; and the same applies to headers 31 and 38. These header pairs 35, 36 `and 31, 38, are preferably mounted inY refractory housings 39, 40, which in turn are mounted upon and extend longitudinally along the outer steel shell |3a of the converter plug 2|. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the headers 35-38 inc., project beyond one end of the converter, being individually connected thereat to couplings 4|-44 inc., respectively. These couplings serve rotatively to connect the headers with concentric air blast supply pipes 46 and 41, which are coaxial with the converter. Thus couplings 4| and 43 terminate in a cap-like member 45 into which the terminus of supply pipe 46 is journaled; while couplings 42and 4'4 terminate in a collar-like bearing into which the terminus of supply line 41 is journaled. These supply line terminii are provided with sidewall openings, as at 49 and 50, which register with one or the other of the oppositely disposed couplings 4|, 43 and 42, 44, when the converter has been rotated to one or the other of its `oppositely disposed blowing positions as explained below. The cap member 45'is welded to-collar 48, asA at`5l, and the Certain of entire assembly is carried by asta'tion'ary supportv 52. Feeder pipes 53, 54 are coupled to pipes 46, 41 respectively, through disconnectable couplings,`

as at'54a.

The furnace is supported at its flanged ends 55, 56 on a series of rollers, as at 51, the latter,v

being journaled to fixed bearing housings, not shown for simplicity, and being of conventional construction. For rotating the furnace, a ring gear 58 is secured to the end plate y|I, `which meshes with a pinion 59, keyed to the shaft of a reversible drive electrical motor.

As shown in Fig. 2, with the converter rotated to a position such thatl the blow port 24 pointsl horizontally tothe right, a charge of molten metal, such as 60, will lie in the basic-lined sec-Y tion; whereas if the furnace is rotated' 180 counterclockwise the charge will flow onto the acid hearth, and the port 24 will point horizontally to the left.

Stacks, such as 6|, 62, may be optionally provided which register, respectively, with the con-,-l

verter port 24, when the latter is rotated to one or the other of the two blowing positions above.; mentioned. To facilitate pouring or repairs, thev lower portion 63, 64 of these stacks may be made separate from the upper portion, and displaceably mounted on trucks, as at 65,66, running on tracks, as at 61. The upper portions of the stacks are of course stationarily mounted'in a conventional fashion. v

- For charging purposes, a charging hopper 68 may be so mounted above the converter as to register with the port 24 when the latter is rotated by the converter to point vertically upward. Al-

ternatively the metal may be poured in through a scribed except for the tuyre arrangement employed for supplying the air blast. The converter proper will, therefore, be but'brieily described,I

attention being concentrated on the tuyre construction and operation.

As before, the converter proper comprises an outer steel shell or vhousing |00, having formed therein a slot-like rectangular opening, extending longitudinally substantiallythe entire length thereof, as outlined by the dashed rectangle -83 f,

inc. The outer shell is provided on its interior, as before, with acid and basic linings |04 and |05, disposed respectively, on opposite sides of said rectanglar opening 80-83 inc., these linings being separated by an intermediate zone provided with a neutral lining |06. The slot-like opening 80-83 inc., formed in the outer shell, has inserted f therein, a removable plug 84 of neutral refractory material. As in the previous converterk construction, this plug is chamferred or beveled on all sides, as at 85, 86, to provide in effect a wedgelike construction, tapering inwardly on all fourv sides from its outer to its inner dimensions, in the manner illustrated most clearly in Fig. 7, in

order to wedge the plug lining in place with theA contiguous converter lining. And the lining of the plug is further wedged in place by a grouting of clay or the like, as.at81. This plug 84 isI removably held in p1ace,'in the identical manner described with reference to the previous con struction, as by means of plates, studs and attract' wedges, as illustratedatzm-.m2|e1ine.,.r'ig. .4,-- of.theprevious*construction.l The plug=84; has' centrally formed-therein, .a port -for chargmeshes Ywith a pinion v| l2, keyed to aniotorishaft'` Further in accordance with-.the construction previously described', the converter may optionally .beiprovided with oppositely disposed' stacks` V| |4,

|15, registeringrespectively with the converter portil y.in `the oppositely disposedl blowing positions. Also a hopper H6 may be provided as shown for charging the molten Ametal into the converter;

Forssupplyingan air: blast "to the converter intei-lor, ineachof its loppostely disposed blowing positions, .rotatableiand displaceable `tuyere units are arranged on each side of the converter as shown'generally'at |20, |.2|. Each or these uni-ts comprisesiapair; of :concentric headers, as at |22, |23,l extendingl longitudinally of the furnace, substantiallythe entire length'thereof, .as-shown in Fig.. 9, `the outer header of Whichl Vis rotatably supportedat its opposite. ends in swivel blocks,

asiat |24, |25. These swivel blocks in turn are rigidly' secured, as at |25,I on the platform |21, of. trucks, vsuch asl |20, |28, individual thereto.

These trucks are in turn displaceable along tracksA asat |30', |31, for advancing the units |20; |2| toward 'and away from .the'conve'rten in the manner'illustrated' in Fig. '7 'and as explained below.

Each'of'the.outer-headers, such as |23', is provided With a seriesof aligned apertures, through which extenda series of connecting pipes, as at |32, which arer threaded into correspondingly aligned apertures of the associated inner header' |22. These connectingpipesflSZ lare also welded tothe louter header 23` about 'apertures referredv to', as'. at |33, Fig. 1l. Alternating with the pipe sectionsazlis asecondseries of pipe sections- 34,v which' are threadedinto vapertures of the outer header 123,9 in -thelinanner `most clearly' shownin Fig. 9. Atftheir'upper ends, allof these pipe `sections, |32;v |34', extend. intoco'rrespon'din'g `passageways, such asv 35, Fig. 11, formed in a. casting Itvvill be noted that the passagewaysV |35 Aare bent' l atVv an angle to provide Substantially horizontally disposed `outlets as at |31. Eachiofthese outlets|31 is providedwith meansindicated at-- |38 for` quickly attachingv and :detaching the tuyre'fpipesf-:such as |39 orv |40, These tuyres maybe fprovidedwitli refractory. tips, as at |40a. It will berobse'rved that the: tuyre pipes |33 vare bent=downwardly-at their outer'ends, vas at lill,4

for directing. an lairblast onto the surfaceof the moltenrmetalv bath, such as |42, while-the remaining` tuyre pipes: |40; extend horizontally, for'zdirecting.' an air blast into the combustion gasesnabove: the metal bath. The tuyre pipes |39;. |40 are connected iny alternating sequence with thezpassageways-ISL The tuyre pipes-|401 maybethus A:connected tothe Iinner header |22 over the pipeA sections-|321, in which case there-- maining tuyre pipes |39 will be vconnected tothe pipe sections |34 extending to the outer header |23. In thisway the air blasts applied to the two. setsof tuyresmay'be independently controlled;

For-supporting-.the'tuyres |39, |40,1there may optionally 'befwelded to the 'upper surface of the casting |35, a sheet steel platform |43, the prof jectingfend ^of which is' bent downwardly at right anglesy and thence horizontally as at |44, and is appropriately apertured in the vertical 'portion for slidable reception of the tuyre pipes, in the manner illustrated ill-Figs.' 1l'and'13. The plat"-v forn1-|43 mayoptionally be' protected by are'- fra'ctory shieldildof briclslor'thelilte, covering the lupper surface of theplatform, which shieldmay also, if desired .be terminated adjacent-.fthe

casting |36 in .a vertically extendingfrefractory curtain orclosure L'plug- 46 Referring-to Figs. tandis, .the tuyresv |39, |40, Connectedlto each` set`ofv header pipes, |2`2;|2,Y are arranged'in banks of two each, as showngenerally at' |41, |48,1Fig. 8, in order to strad'dle the spacer occupiedfbythe blow port llll, these two'v banks of tuyres beingr further so spaced longitudinally as toregister with the slotted ports |02, |03; disposed. onopposite sides respectively of the'lolow port 10| The inner header |22 is supported concentrically Within the outerlieader- |23, by means ofy bailles., such as Hill,V Fig. 9, disposed at each end thereof, and Welded to the inner and outer headers respectively to provide airtight joints. For supplyinglseparately controlled air blasts to the inner and outer headers, a connection such ask |50, Figs. 9j and 10, extends to the inner header at each end'thereof, andsimilarly a pipe connection; such as |5| extends' to the outer header at each of its opposite ends'.

As above-explainedeach header unit and'its associated" tuyre assembly isv rotatively supported at 'the oppositeehds of the outer header in trunnions, such as |24, |25', which inturn are mountedv on railway trucks such as |21. each tuyre assembly may be rotated about' its header axis, in the'mannerillustrated by comparison'of the 'units' |20, |21;I Fig. 7. Inaddition each'tu'yere and header assembly may be displaced toWard and away fromth'e converter by movement vof the trucks', such 'as |21, |23, alongv their respective tiaclts,l |3|, |30.

For'automatically rotating the tuyere assemblies from the position within' the converter shown at |2|, Fig. 7, to' alposition'outside of the furnace, as shownat `I 2t,'each outer header, such as |23, may be provided ihtegraltherewith atfits! opposite ends; a pair o'f` parallel lever arms, as at |53-|54, tothe projectingv ends of Which are` secured studs, as at |55', |56; to Whichare journaled carin rolls, as at |51, .|581 Thesecam rollsl arere'spectively positioned torid'e on caintracks" |59, encircling the outer shell |00, of theconverter,` at its' opposite ends, as showin in Fig. 8,'. andare-of 'the configurations in axial elevation,`

as shown at |59gliig. 7.

Thus as'the converter is rotated-counterclo'ck- Wise' from the position shown in Fig. '1,.they

tuyre assembly |21 will be automatically withdrawn from the converter by clockwiserotation dueto engagement offthe cam rolls, such as |51,'. with the portions, such Vas I 6| of vthe cam tracksn |59,`,. 6D. Tha-tuyre. assembly.l will th'us .assume pa. position corresponding totlriatshown fibras-4 Thus sembly |20. With continued counterclockwise rotation of the converter, the tuyre assembly |2| will remain fixed in the withdrawn position due to the passage of its cam rolls |51 into the circular portion |6| of the cam, which being of constant radius will produce no further clockwise rotation of the lever arms |53, |54. However, such continued counterclockwise rotation of the converter will cause the tuyre assembly |20 to be rotated clockwise, as the cam rolls |64 thereof pass from the circular portion |62 of the cam tracks onto the camming portion |65 thereof. In this way the tuyre assembly |20 is rotated to a position projecting into the converter corre-4 sponding to that shown for assembly |2| Conversely subsequent clockwise rotation of the converter will through media above described rotatively withdraw tuyre assembly |20 from the converter and insert assembly |2I therein. Alternatively, manual or other means may be employed for the insertion and removal of these tuyres.

Thus tuyre assembly 2| will be inserted when the converter is in the right hand blowing position of Fig. 2, i. e. with the blow port pointing to the right for bessemerizing the molten metal charge on the acid hearth |05. And similarly the tuyre assembly |20 will be inserted with the converter in the left hand blowing position for bessemerizing the molten metal charge on the basic hearth |04. It will be observed in this connection that when a tuyre assembly such as |2| is thus inserted, the refractory bafes, such as |46, mounted thereon, act as closure members for lthe slot-like openings, such' as |02, |03, through which the tuyresare inserted, thus causing the blow to take place only through the blow port |0l.

As an alternative or supplemental means for inserting and withdrawing the tuyre assemblies into and out of the furnace, additional lever arms, such as |66 and |61, Fig. 2, may be secured to the ends of the outer headers, such as |23.

As shown in Fig. 2 these lever arms |66, |61,

are mounted at an angle to lever arms |53, |64 y respectively, and have journaled to their projecting ends, cam rolls, such as |68, |69, which engage cam tracks, such as |10, |11, mounted above the tracks |3|, |30, on which the trucks |21, |28, ride. Referring more particularly to tuyre varrangement |2|, Fig. 2, it will be noted that the cam tracks |10, parallel the tracks I3 except for the cam track terminus adjacent the converter which bends upwardly and thence downwardly in hook-like fashion. Thus as truck |29 is propelled to the right, cam roll |68 will ride downwardly along the sloping portion |12 of the cam track and onto the horizontal portion, thereby to rotate the tuyre -assembly sunciently clockwise about its header axis, as the assembly is thus withdrawn from the converter, to permit the downwardly inclined tuyre sectionsv |4| to clear the lower ledges of the converter parts |02, |03. Conversely as the truck is subsequently propelled to the left, the cam rolls |68 will ride up the inclined cam track portion |12, thus to rotate the tuyre assembly counterclockwise sufficiently to permit the tuyre sections |40, MI to enter the ports |02, |03, and then to position them Within the furnace as shown for assembly |2 l.

For pouring the converter is rotated to a position such that the lower lip of port |0| is about in the position of the dotted line |15, whereby the contents are discharged into a ladle |16, placed on a rail truck |11 below the furnace, as shown in Fig. 7. To prevent the poured molten metal from splashing onto the tuyre trucks and tracks |28|3| inc., baflies are mounted, as at |18, |19, Fig. '7.

The principles of construction and operation above described with reference to Figures 1-15 inc., may of course be applied to converters of other than the circular-cylindrical configuration shown therein, for example, to spherical, ovoid, or other shapes.r Figures 16 and 17 illustrate schematically modications wherein the converter assumes an oval shape in transverse section, as at |80, Fig. 16, and in which the hearths are of arcuate or bowed configuration in longitudinal section, as at |8|, |82, Fig. 17. This concentrates the molten'metal charge over a smaller hearth larea which facilitates bessemerizing and pouring. Also with `reference to Fig. 16, the outlet port 84 may be centered on the long rather than the short axis of the ellipse, in which event of course the acid, basic and neutral lined portions would likewise have to "be shifted ter arrangement provides a shallower molten metal bath of increased surface area during the blow, as compared to the arrangement shown in Fig. 16.

It will be observed vthat in all modifications of the invention above discussed, the blow port is also employed for chargingV the molten metal, slag forming material, etc., into the converter, and the port is also used for pouring off the slag, and the bessemerized charge, etc. During the blow, as above explained, the gaseous and other products due to the blowv ar`e likewise discharged through the port.

Fig. 18 is a schematic transverse section through a cylindrical type of converter provided with a tuyre arrangement such that the tuyres are insertable in the blow port and are independently adjustable in degree of inclination with respect to the molten metal charge. As in the constructions previously discussed, the converter is provided with oppositely disposed acid lined and basic lined portions 200, 20|, between which is interposedv a neutral lined zone 202 which includes the blow port 203. The converter is mounted to rotate about its cylindrical axis in the manner described withv reference to the modiiications previously discussed.

On each side of the furnace is mounted a set of tuyres connected to headers as shown generally at 204, 205. Thus unit 204 comprises upper and lower headers 206, 201, to which are respectively connected upper and lower tuyres 200, 289. These headers parallel the converter and are mounted for independent rotation about their axes and may additionally be mounted for displacement toward and away from the converter, employing for such' purposes header mountings generally similar to those of the tuyre and header unit of Fig. 7. By virtue of such mountings the tuyres are insertable into the converter through ,the blow port 203, as shown for unit 204, and maybe completely withdrawn therefrom as shown for unit 205,l corresponding components of which bear the same numerical designations with the subscript a added, as for unit 204. One advantage of the arrangement is that the upper and lower tuyres 208, 209, may

be independently adjusted in angular inclination with respect to the molten metal bath 2|0, by appropriate rotative adjustment of the headers 206, 201 to which they are respectively connected.

lIt will be understood, of course, with refer- `ence to all'of the converter constructions above This latlili described; vthat thegaseous .blast introduoediintor thel converter.l through; the; tuyrnes;`v for(4 electing. the blow may' comprise; either.: cold; on presA heated air or oxygen or other gaseous oxidizing? agentsiand/ or stearngandfthat anyronall lof such substances are embraced; `in thezappen'ded claims;L by the'v expression.; gasecusf` oxidizing; fluidi Also; and as above explained@l int. all; of.- theI corr-Iy verter, constructions above: describedgftheioutlett port forthe` blowff may@v also befemployedforf the.- introduction into therconverter of.. raw.- mae-fiterials, such, as :hot metal, yironfoxide1 lime; etc., and that this .pcrttmay.V alscrbe. employed s for Vthe 1 pouringr 01T of renedgmetalfand/or.- slag, l,andlthat inthe-appendedclaims, the expression portion 15:.

charging, pouring and escape; of.` combustion: products is understoodto includtheseevarious.: operations,- as 1 Well:` as; the.. operation oi eiecting the blow I claim:

LAi side-blowbess/einer. converter, compris.- ing.: a? vessell of: generally closed: congurationf hav-inga port yfor-med` thereinvfor 'char-ging; rpour-Q ing.v and. escape y of combustion products, tuyre: means adj acent` said portfor. introducing a gaseous oxidizing uid under pressure into said vessel,` saidA vessel being shaped, to:- provide ai pair of hearths, disposedonf. opposite-.sides respectively' of said port,- acid refractoryv means.` liningf. one' said hearth. andV basicrefractory,y means; lining-j the other saidhearth,=.said.A acid.i andfbasic: refra-ctory linings being spacedapart byanfinter.` mediate.y zone 4includingfsaidfport,,neutral '.refrac. tory means; liningl saidi inter-mediate.l zoneand. separating said acid andbas-ic,linings-from.y eaclr other, .and.meansfmountingc.y said vessel for rotation about an axis substantially;` perpendicular; tor the axisv of. said. portl whereby4 a.l charge.r of.A

molten ferrous metalmayy be; bessermizedr in said:

hearths successively;

2; A- side-blow. bessemer converter; compris-- ing.: a vessel of substant'lly-cylindricalrceniguras4 tion'. having a.A port for charging?. pouring.'` and: escape of. combustiom products... formed. in. thev cylindrical,A wall thereof :tuyre:v means, adjacent?. said port. for introducing, a-, gaseous oxidizing, fluid-runder pressure into :sa-idzvessel; acid refrac tory means lining; saidf vesselaom oneisidezofrsaidf port, and basic refractory; meansflininggsaidfvese sel. on the opposite.. sidezof. saidport, saidiacid and basicrefractory,k linings 4:being-spaced;'aparty by. an. intermediate: zone..`r including said-porta neutral. refractoryI means lining-v said; ntermemY diate zone, and. meansv` mountingrsaid-..vess.el for: rotation. about. its. cylindrical. air-isny whereby ai charge of, molten ferrousmetal. ma'kyf' be: bessev mer-ized in saidacidfandebasic lined pontionssuccessively. Without. removing said.. molten? metal: from. said. converter..4

3. Aside-blow bessemer convertencompri'sing; aA Vessel .of' generally. closedhollow coniiguration,l having a port vfor charging, pouring and-escape of combustion. products.. formed.. therein, said,r

Vesselbeing shapedto. provide. a .pair of; hearths disposed on. oppositesdes respectivelyt of.. saidr port,. acid. refractory means. lining onev said. hearth and basic refractoryv means lining. the: other said hearth,` saidacidl and basic retraceV tory linings beingspaced'. apart byV an. interme-v diate zone including saidlport, neutralref-rac.- tory means -lining! saidiintermedia'te. zonetuyere. openings formedl in said. vessel adjacentr said. hearths respectively, for. introducing. al gaseousoxidizing. fluid under pressure thereto,-. and

an: axisr` substantially..Y perpendicular to: they axis; of said: port, .Wherebyfaacharge f ofi moltenl ferrous-v n'xetals may.A be .bessemerizedin said.l hearths@ sucif cessivelyr. by` appropriate rotation of. said con.-l vertenpandwithout removinggsaid cirargethere, fIQm;

@aA-.2, side-blow bessemer converter, compriseing:r an outer' metal: shell ofi substantially cylin. drical) configuration,`- having; formed in.. the cylin.- dricaly wall thereof,L a `slot-like opening extend... ingflongitudinally substantiallythe Iengthofsaid shell, said-l shell beingg provided-lA with 1 an: acid;` re fractoryr brick*v lining7 on-v one;y side of said f. open-- ing; and wit-h1; af basicvrefractory"brick: liningJ on;v ther.apposital side?. thereofgqsad acid and bas-ic.l refractorylinings being; tl'ierebyg.` spaced apart. byfi anintermediate zone? being. linedA with arneutrah refractory: brick;I al removablefplug of' refractory materialzdisposediin-.said opening, saidfplug--lwf- -ingxcentrally formed'therein ai port-for charg-l ingr nouringfandzescape of combustion gasestand. having also formed therein on the oppositesides off'v saidport-arseriesxofrtuyeresforfintroducingia gaseous, oxidizing,Y fluid*j under.l pressurea into; said?. converter; and. meanssm'ountingl. said converten for: rotation? about its:cylindrical.l axis, wherebyav chargef of molten; metal'. may; be 'l bessemerizedi in said` acid; lined andi basic: lined portionsf suc.` cessivelyl-W-ithoutremoving;saidcharge-lfromisaidr converter.

5;.y A: side-blowsr bessemer converted` compris.- ing:v an outer*v metal shell.. of.- cylindrical congnrationr havingi formedt inA thecylindricalg WalL, thercefa slot-like opening extendingvslongitudinally substantially the lengthen said. shell', said. shellbeing provided with-.an acid refractory line ingron? onefside--of-.safid z opening, and: with l abasic. refractory lining on the opposite side thereoL, saidacid: andfbasicdiningsvbeing thereby spaced apartlby. an. intermediate; zones including. said.. openingJ said; intermediate zone being.. provided. with; am neutral, refractory, lining; a` removable plug; of! refractory, material disposed. in said.- openinggsaidplug,having.centrallyformedtherer in. a port for charging, .pouring andcescape. of' ycombustion-.,gases, and.havingalso.formedlthererinon the: oppositefsides oflsaid: port a` series of tuyres forA introducing.: a .gaseous oxidizing. fluidl under pressure.intosaidconverten ,meansmount'- ing, said-` converterr for; rotation. about its cylin-` "dricakax-is;, whereby,K anhalt-ge, of molten metal 'slot-.like opening extending. longitudinally substa-ntially the. lengthlofQsaidshell, ,said sh'ellibeingT provided. with an'acidL refractory. lining., on. one. side of said.opening,.and` with a..basic refractory,

7o,.lining;on the opposite side,thereofsaid acidand.

basic, refractorylinings. being thereby. spaced aparty by. an intermediate.. zone. including said.

opening,. said intermediate. vzone being,- provided.

with.a,neutral`.refractorylinngarremovable..plug,

means. mounting.v said; vessel. for. rotation about.Y 75,;.of refractonr materialinsertedfin said.'L opening.,

65,. having, formedI in the. cylindricalv walll thereof; a

said plug having centrally formed therein, a .port for charging, pouring and escape of combustion products, and having also formed therein onthe opposite sides of said port, a series of tuyresior introducing a gaseous oxidizing uid under pressure into said converter, means mounting said converter for rotation about its cylindrical axis, whereby a charge of molten metal may be bessemerized in said acid lined and basic lined portions successively without removing said charge from said converter, manifold means mounted on said plug in communication with said tuyres, and mean-s for supplying said gaseous iiuid to said manifold with said converter rotated to both said acid and basic bessemerizing positions, said means comprising a supply line extending axially to said converter, and apertured bearing means journaling said supply line to said manifold thereat,r certain of said tuyres being inclined toward said acid and basic linings, respectively, for directing a portion of said gaseous fluid against the surface of the molten metal, and certain other of said tuyres being substantially parallel to the axis of, said port for directing a portion of said gaseous fluid substantially parallel to said surface.

7. A side-blow bessemer converter, comprising: an outer metal shell of cylindrical configuration` having formed in the cylindrical wall thereof, a slot-like opening extending longitudinally substantially the length of said shell, said shell being provided with an acid refractory lining on one side of said opening, and with a basic refractory lining on the opposite side thereof, said acid and basic refractory linings being thereby spaced apart by an intermediate zone including said opening, said intermediate zone being provided with a neutral refractory lining, a removable plug of refractory material inserted in said opening, said plug having centrally formed therein a port for charging, pouring andescape of combustion products, and having also formed therein on the opposite sides of said port, a lseries of tuyres for introducing a gaseous oxidizing fluid'under pressure into said converter, means mounting said converter for rotation about its cylindrical axis, whereby a charge of molten metal may be bessemerized in said acid lined and basic lined portions successively without removing said charge from said converter, manifold means mounted on said plug in communication with said tuyres, means for supplying said gaseous uid to said manifold with said converter rotated to both said acid and basic bessemerizing positions, said means comprising a supply line extending axially to said converter, and apertured bearing means journaling said supply line to said manifold thereat, a pair of stacks disposed on opposite sides of said converter, respectively, having lower openings positioned to communicate with said port with said converter rotated to said acid and basic be semerizing positions respectively, and means displaceably mounting said stacks to permit of pouring through said port.

8. A side-blow bessemer converter, comprising: an outer metal shell of closed, hollow configuration, having a port formed therein for charging, pouring and escape of combustion products, said shell being shaped to provide a pair of hearths disposed on opposite sides respectively of said port, acid refractory means lining one said hearth and basic refractory means lining the other, said acid and basic refractory linings being spaced apart by an intermediate zone including said port, neutral refractory means lining Said intermediate zone, means mounting said con- 14 verter for4 rotation vabout an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of said port whereby upon rotation of said converter to oppositely dis' posed positions a charge of molten ferrous metal may be bessemerized in said hearths respectively,

tuyre means disposed on opposite sides of said port, acid refractory means lining one said hearth` and basic refractory means lining the other, said acid and basic refractory linings being spaced apart by an intermediate zone including said port, neutral refractory means lining said intermediate zone, means mounting said converter for rotation about an axisv substantially perpendicular to the axis of said port whereby upon rotation of said converter to oppositely disposed positions a charge of molten ferrous metal may be bessemerized in said hearths respectively, tuyre means mounted on opposite sides of said vconverter respectively, tuyre openings insaid converter adjacent said port, and means mounting said tuyre' means for insertion into said openings and Withdrawal therefrom, for selectively injecting a gase-f ous oxidizing fluid under pressure therein with said converter rotated to said acid and basic bessemerizing'positions, respectively, and cooperating cam and cam lever actuating means mounted on said converter shell and said tuyre mountings, respectively, for automatically insert,-

ing one said tuyre means into said port upon ing: an outer metal shell of closed, hollow configuration, having an outlet port formed therein' for escape of combustion products, said shell being shaped to provide a pair of hearths disposed on opposite sides respectively of said port, acid refractory means lining one said hearth and basic refractory means lining the other said hearth, said acid and basic refractory linings being spaced apart by an intermediate zone including said port, neutral refractory means lining said intermediate zone, means mounting said converter for rotation about an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of said port whereby upon rotation of said converter to oppositely disposed positions a charge of molten ferrous metal may be bessemerized in said hearths respectively, tuyre means rotatively mounted on Opposite sides of said converter respectively, tuyre openings in said converter adjacent said port, and means automatically inserting said tuyre means, respectively, into said openings and withdrawing the same therefrom as sai-d converter is rotated to and from said acid and basic bessemerizing basic .rem dry liminaire tre Said hearth', ieiitrel. refreisiry, 11.1.1651. Partitioning meqrisdseparetiiigsaid peerths; portmeans communicating with sai-d h earths for charging-pouring and escape of combustion gases, and tuyre neans aljaent said heairth for .introducing therein a gseous oxidizing fluid under pressure, and 'meas for alteriglthe iterative lefels of seid hearth's 'for c'using Iroten metal deposited onto Zio me tuyre means' `disposed on opposite sid 5mg iiayirigl Centrally fqr'red therein a port for' oo nverter, with sgiidv converter rotated' to said qqden basie be'ssiiierzing positions, respectively: v

REED LEWIS;

Refeces Cited in the' fue of this" patent UTED STATES' PATENTS

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