Apparatus for producing solidified granular slag from molten blast furnace slag

An apparatus for producing solidified granular slag from molten blast furnace slag, said apparatus comprising:

• a vessel adapted to be positioned to receive molten slag from a blast furnace, said vessel having a slag hole for discharging therefrom said molten slag;
• trough means, positioned to receive molten slag from said slag hole, for forming a discharged molten slag stream;
• nozzle means, positioned below said slag stream, for directing a flat strip-shaped stream of air in an upwardly inclined direction against said slag stream, for thereby forming said slag stream into semi-solidified granular slag, and for entraining and carrying said semi-solidified granular slag along a path extending in a substantially horizontal direction;
• collision plate means, positioned in said path of said semi-solidified granular slag, for causing said semi-solidified granular slag to collide with said collision plate means and drop downwardly;
• an air transfer duct having a first end positioned to receive said semi-solidified granular slag which drops downwardly from said collision plate means and a second end;
• a separator tank connected to said second end of said air transfer duct;
• and
• suction means, connected to said separator tank, for creating a vacuum in said separator tank and in said air transfer duct, and for thereby drawing air and said semi-solidified granular slag through said transfer duct, wherein said semi-solidified granular slag solidifies to form solidified granular slag, and into said separator tank, wherein said solidified granular slag is collected.