Apparatus and method for introducing substances into liquid metal

Abstract

For the introducing gases, wires and powders to metal melts, a multi-ducted refractory body is installed in the wall of a vessel for the melt. The body has passage closing elements preventing melt entering the passages (A, B, C). Two passages (A and C) serve respectively for introducing gas, and fluidized powders, to the melt; each has a movable pipe (for gas or fluidized powder). Upon moving the gas pipe towards the melt, it dislodges closing element whereby gas from the pipe can enter the melt via capillar bores. Wire is fed along passage (B) to the melt: when it reaches the closing element the wire can itself dislodge this element to gain access to the melt. A method of introducing substances to liquid related to use of this apparatus is disclosed, as well as metallurgical process involving the method.

We claim: 
     
       1. Apparatus suitable for introducing selected substances into an elevated temperature liquid, comprising: a refractory body adapted to be installed in a wall of a liquid container below the liquid surface, the body being traversed between outer and liquid-confronting ends of the body by a plurality of passages each for conveying different, selected substances to the liquid;   dislodgeable, refractory passage-closing means for each of said passages in the refractory body, and located at the liquid-confronting end of the body to prevent liquid in said container from entering the passages;   elements each movable independently of one another and located in a different one of said passages to engage with the closing means associated with the respective passage; and   a plurality of actuating means at said outer end of the refractory body and selectively operative to propel the corresponding movable elements toward the associated closing means to dislodge the closing means and open the corresponding passage so that feeding of a selected substance introduced within the passage into the liquid will commence;   said actuating means being operative to open the passages in a chosen order so that the selected substances can be fed into the liquid in said chosen order.   
     
     
       2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the closing means includes a protective refractory shield which substantially covers the liquid confronting end of the body. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the closing means comprises, in combination, a refractory plug dislodgeably seated in the end of an associated passage and a protective refractory shield which substantially covers the liquid confronting end of the body. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said refractory body has a gas-feeding passage, a first wire feeding passage and one of a gas/powder mixture and a second wire feeding passage. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one passage, for introducing a gas into the liquid, has a gas pipe therein, said pipe forming one of said movable elements responsible for dislodging the closing element associated with said one passage, said gas pipe projecting outwardly from the outer end of the refractory body for connection to an external pipe-displacing mechanism which forms said actuating means. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said gas pipe terminates in abutment means near said liquid-confronting end, and said abutment means is adapted to permit gas to flow freely therearound as the gas progresses toward the liquid in the container. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said gas pipe terminates in abutment means near said liquid-confronting end, said abutment means is received slidably in a guiding bore at the liquid-confronting end of the refractory body, said guiding bore providing the abutment means with access to the associated closing element, and said refractory body has a plenum into which said gas pipe discharges gas and capillary passages opening at said liquid-confronting end for conveying gas from the plenum to the liquid in the container. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the actuating means is a spring-loaded striking mechanism operative to drive the corresponding movable element in a forward stroke against the associated closing element, so that said one passage is opened for flow of gas to the liquid in the container. 
     
     
       9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one passage, for introducing to the liquid material selected from a fluidized mixture of powder and gas, and a wire strand, has a tube displaceably mounted in said one passage along which tube the selected material is passed, said tube extending outwardly at the outer end of said refractory body for connection to means for supplying the selected material, and said actuating means includes a movable tube carrier for supporting the outwardly extending portion of the tube. 
     
     
       10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the tube carrier is supported by a mounting of the apparatus, and a pivoted lever engaged with the carrier is operative to advance the tube carrier and tube in the direction toward the associated closing element. 
     
     
       11. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the tube has a temporary closure at the liquid-confronting end thereof, said temporary closure being disintegratable upon contact with a high temperature liquid in the container. 
     
     
       12. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said tube comprises a tubular composite having an inner refractory tube housed within an outer metal jacket, a space between said tube and jacket containing a refractory packing, and the inner tube at its liquid-confronting end is temporarily blocked to ingress of liquid when the actuating means is operated, a blockage at said end being readily expelled therefrom. 
     
     
       13. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one passage, for introducing a substance in the form of a wire strand into the liquid, employs the wire as said movable element responsible for dislodging the associated closing element, and the actuating means is a wire feeder, means being provided for optionally admitting gas to said passage so that wire can be introduced into the liquid optionally and simultaneously with gas. 
     
     
       14. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a shear is mounted at the outer end of said refractory body for shearing wire on completion of a wire-feeding operation, said shear comprising a pair of aligned shear bushes each apertured to allow the wire to move therethrough, and a mechanism is provided for displacing one bush laterally relative to the other to sever the wire on completion of a wire injection operation. 
     
     
       15. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a shear is mounted at the outer end of said refractory body for shearing wire on completion of a wire-feeding operation, said shear comprising a pair of aligned shear bushes each apertured to allow the wire to move therethrough, and a mechanism is provided for displacing one bush laterally relative to the other to sever the wire on completion of a wire injection operation. 
     
     
       16. A method of introducing a substance into an elevated temperature liquid, comprising: providing a container for containing the elevated temperature liquid;   providing a receiving opening in the container below the level of the elevated temperature liquid;   introducing a refractory body into the receiving opening of the container and providing the refractory body with a plurality of passages between outer and liquid-confronting ends of the body;   adapting each of the passages in the refractory body for conveying different, selected substances to the liquid in the container;   placing dislodgeable, refractory passage-closing means for each of the passages in the refractory body, and locating the closing means at the liquid-confronting end of the body thereby preventing liquid in the container from entering the passages;   locating a number of elements each in a different one of the passages for displaceable movement independently of one another and arranging each element to engage with the closing means associated with the respective passage;   providing a plurality of actuating means at the outer end of the refractory body and arranging the actuating means for selective operation to propel the corresponding movable elements toward the associated closing means thereby dislodging the closing means and opening the corresponding passage to allow feeding of a selected substance into the liquid in the container;   arranging the actuating means to operate so that the passages are opened in a chosen order and the selected substances can be fed into the liquid in said chosen order; and   feeding the selected substance along one of the passages in the refractory body and into the liquid in the container.   
     
     
       17. The method of claim 16, including providing a metal melt in the container as the elevated temperature liquid; and   treating the metal melt by introducing substances selected from gases, solids and powders through the passages of said refractory body,   whereby at least one of the purity, composition and microstructure of the metal after solidification, are controlled as a result of the feeding step. .Iadd.   
     
     
       18.  A method of introducing additive material into liquid held in a container at elevated temperature comprising the steps of: providing said container, prior to introducing said liquid therein, with a receiving opening below the normal level of elevated temperature liquid intended to be held therein;   introducing a refractory body into the receiving opening of the container, said body being provided with a plurality of passages between outer and liquid-confronting ends of said body, each passage having passage closing means blocking the passage for preventing elevated temperature liquid from entering said passage and also having an element therein adapted to displace said closing means from said passage for unblocking and thereby opening said passage;   securing said refractory body to said container so as to sealingly plug said receiving opening therewith;   connecting said passages with means for supplying thereto said additive material for introduction into said passage and ultimately into said liquid;   operatively associating said elements of said passages with selective actuating means at the outer end of said refractory body;   operating said actuating means to produce opening of said passages each at a given chosen time; and   feeding said additive material for a predetermined time or in predetermined quantity from said supply means through each passage, following the opening thereof, into said elevated temperature liquid in said container. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       19.  The method of claim 18 including the steps of providing molten metal in said container as said elevated temperature liquid and introducing additive material which alters at least one of (a) the purity, (b) the composition and (c) the microstructure of said metal. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 
     
     
       20.  A metallurgical method for introducing injectant material into molten metal held in a container, comprising the steps of: before introducing said molten metal into said container, sealingly inserting a refractory body in a receiving opening in said container located below the intended level of said molten metal, said body providing a plurality of injection passages extending between outer and molten metal-confronting ends of said body;   providing each of said passages with passage-closing means to block entry of said molten metal into said passages upon introducing said molten metal into said container;   connecting one of said passages with an injectant supply means and causing an actuating means to apply a force to the closing means of said passage to remove the closing means from the passage-blocking position thereof and allow injectant to pass from said passage into said molten metal;   when injection of said injectant is adjudged complete, terminating the supply of said injectant to said passage and permitting said passage to become blocked again;   at subsequently selected times, repeating for the other of said passages the steps of connecting one of said passages with an injectant supply means and causing an actuating means to apply a force to the closing means of said passage to thereby allow injectant to pass from said passage into said molten metal and when injection of said injectant is adjudged complete, terminating the supply of said injectant to said passage and permitting said passage to become blocked again. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       21.  A method according to claim 20 wherein said passages are permitted to become blocked by allowing molten metal from inside said container to enter said passages and freeze therein. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 
     
     
       22.  A replaceable refractory for use with an apparatus suitable for introducing selected material into an elevated temperature liquid comprising: a refractory body adapted to be installed in a wall of a liquid container below the liquid surface within said container,   said body being traversed between outer and liquid confronting ends of said body by a plurality of passages for conveying selected material to the liquid,   refractory passage closing means for each of said passages in said refractory body,   said refractory passage closing means being located at the liquid confronting end of said body to prevent liquid in said container from entering said passages,   said closing means being formed so that at least a portion of said closing means is forced into said liquid container by elements movable within the respective passages within said body to thereby open said passages into communication with said liquid. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. The replaceable refractory of claim 22 wherein said refractory body has a frusto conical outer portion at the liquid confronting end thereof, said frusto conical portion being proportioned to engage a mating surface in said container.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.24.  The replaceable refractory of claim 22 wherein a collar is formed on the periphery of said refractory body outer end to limit the longitudinal movement of said body relative to said container. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. The replaceable refractory of claim 23 wherein a collar is formed on the periphery of said refractory body outer end to limit the longitudinal movement of said body relative to said container. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. A replaceable refractory for use with an apparatus for introducing supplements of additive material into elevated temperature liquid comprising: a refractory body adapted to be installed in a wall of a liquid container below the liquid surface,   said body being traversed between outer and liquid confronting ends of said body by a plurality of passages oriented parallel to the axis of said body for conveying supplements of additive material to elevated temperature liquid in said container at preselected times,   passage closing means blocking each of said passages in said refractory body,   said closing means being located near the liquid confronting end of said body to prevent liquid in said container from entering said passages,   said refractory body having a frusto conical container-engaging outer surface adjacent said liquid confronting end, and   said refractory body having an annular collar formed adjacent said outer end for orienting said refractory body within said container wall. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. The replaceable refractory of claim 26 wherein each of said passages are uniformly spaced radially relative to the others, and each of said passages receives an element which selectively forces at least a portion of said closing means into said liquid container to thereby open said passages into communication with said liquid. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28. A steel pipe having a refractory lining adapted to be positioned for longitudinal movement within a longitudinal passage in a refractory body that is installed in a wall of a liquid container containing elevated temperature liquid below the liquid surface thereof whereby said steel pipe may be forcefully moved within said longitudinal passage to open said passage into communication with said elevated temperature liquid and whereby selected material may be introduced into said liquid through said steel pipe after said passage has been opened. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. The steel pipe of claim 28 wherein said refractory lining is formed of mullite. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30. The steel pipe of claim 29 wherein the inside diameter of said pipe with the lining therein is one-quarter inch. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. Apparatus for introducing supplements of additive material into elevated temperature liquid, comprising:   a refractory body adapted to be installed in a wall of a liquid container below the liquid surface, the body being traversed between outer and liquid confronting ends of the body by a plurality of passages for respectively conveying separate supplements of additive material to elevated temperature liquid in said container at a time independently selectable for each said supplement;   passage closing means blocking each of said passages in the refractory body, located at or near the liquid-confronting end of the body to prevent liquid in said container from entering the passages;   elements each movable independently of one another and each located in a different one of said passages to displace the closing means associated with the respective passage for unblocking the respective passage.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.32.  A replaceable refractory for use with an apparatus suitable for introducing selected material into an elevated temperature liquid comprising: a refractory body adapted to be installed in a wall of a liquid container below the liquid surface within said container,   said body being traversed between outer and liquid confronting ends of said body by a plurality of passages for conveying selected material to the liquid. .Iaddend. .Iadd.33. A replaceable refractory for use with an apparatus for introducing supplements of additive material into elevated temperature liquid comprising:   a refractory body adapted to be installed in a wall of a liquid container below the liquid surface,   said body being traversed between outer and liquid confronting ends of said body by a plurality of passages oriented parallel to the axis of said body for conveying supplements of additive material to elevated temperature liquid in said container at preselected time,   said refractory body having a frusto conical container-engaging outer surface adjacent said liquid confronting end, and   said refractory body having an annular collar formed adjacent said outer end for orienting said refractory body within said container wall. .Iaddend.