Method and system for producing steel having low nitrogen content

An article for introducing a denitrogenizing flux to an amount of molten metal, comprising:

• an outer layer of a metallic material that has a melting point that is beneath the anticipated temperature of the amount of molten metal;
• and
• a denitrogenizing flux that is encased within the molten metal, whereby the outer layer will melt after the article has been introduced into the molten metal for a predetermined period of time, thereby permitting introduction of the denitrogenizing flux into the molten metal at a depth below the top surface of the molten metal.

A method of denitrogenizing an amount of molten metal, comprising steps of:

• (a) providing an amount of molten metal;
• and
• (b) introducing a denitrogenizing flux into the molten metal in such a way that the flux becomes exposed to the molten metal at a location that is at a depth that is substantially below the top surface of the molten metal, thereby promoting more efficient mixing of the flux into the molten metal.

A method of introducing a denitrogenizing flux to an amount of molten metal, comprising steps of:

• (a) supplying an amount of denitrogenizing flux into a lance assembly of the type that includes a nozzle that is constructed and arranged to be immersed in molten metal;
• and
• (b) using the lance assembly to introduce the flux into the molten metal.