Method for eliminating nose-skulls from steelmaking vessels

In a metal refining vessel having a hearth section to contain a molten metal charge and a nose section thereabove, wherein an oxygen containing gas is introduced into the vessel hearth section to oxidize impurities from a molten metal charge therein thereby refining the metal charge;

• the method of eliminating substantial nose-skull build-up in the vessel nose section comprising, injecting a combustible fluid into the vessel nose section simultaneously with a second oxygen containing gas, each at a rate sufficient to cause said combustible fluid to burn in the presence of the oxygen containing gas, thereby heating the vessel nose section sufficient to prevent molten particles of metal and slag from solidifying on the vessel nose section walls.

In a steel refining vessel having a hearth section to contain a molten iron charge and a nose section thereabove, wherein an oxygen containing gas is blown into a molten iron charge through tuyeres below the surface of said molten iron charge to oxidize impurities from said charge thereby refining the metal charge and forming gases containing carbon monoxide which emerge from said charge, and wherein a second oxygen containing gas is injected into the vessel just above the molten iron charge to burn at least some of the carbon monoxide emerging from said charge;

• the method of eliminating at least substantial nose-skull build-up in the vessel nose section comprising, injecting said second oxygen containing gas at a rate insufficient to burn all of the emerging carbon monoxide, and injecting a third oxygen containing gas into the vessel nose section to therein oxidize at least a portion of the carbon monoxide gases not burned by said second oxygen containing gas and at a rate sufficient to heat the vessel nose section to melt any significant accumulated nose-skull build-up and prevent further molten particles of iron and slag from solidifying on the vessel nose section walls.

In a steel refining vessel having a hearth section to contain a molten iron charge and a nose section thereabove, wherein an oxygen containing gas is introduced into the vessel hearth section to oxidize impurities from a molten iron charge therein thereby forming gases containing carbon monoxide which emerge from the molten iron charge and pass into the vessel nose section;

• the method of eliminating substantial nose-skull build-up in the vessel nose section comprising;
• providing at least one concentric double-pipe tuyere through the vessel nose section wall having a central pipe and a concentric pipe therearound, injecting a second oxygen containing gas into the vessel nose section through said central pipe, and injecting a coolant fluid into the vessel nose section through said concentric pipe, said second oxygen containing gas being injected at a rate sufficient to oxidize at least a portion of the carbon monoxide and heat the vessel nose section sufficiently to melt away significant accumulated nose-skull build-up and prevent further molten particles of iron and slag from solidifying on the vessel nose section walls.