Process for cutting large blocks of metal

A process for cutting large blocks of ferrous and non-ferrous metals or refractory structures which melt above 1000.degree. C. comprising the steps of:

• i) introducing into a mild steel pipe having internal diameter in excess of 1.5 inches and having two opposing threaded ends, mild steel rods and aluminum rods, said rods being coextensive with said mild steel pipe and intermingled with one another, said intermingled mild steel rods and aluminum rods having diameters less than 1/4 inch, and the ratio of the diameter of said mild steel rods to the diameter of said aluminum rods ranging between 1:2 and 2:1, said aluminum rods comprising up to 40 wt % of said rods within said pipe, and packing said rods such that an oxygen containing gas introduced at a pressure of at least 150 psi at one end of said pipe is capable of substantially unrestricted passage;
• ii) connecting said mild steel pipe to a handle adapted to receive one end of said mild steel pipe, said handle having valve means adapted to introducing gas to said mild steel pipe at high pressure;
• iii) igniting to burn said opposing end of said mild steel pipe and said rods therein, and introducing oxygen containing gas into said mild steel pipe at a pressure whereby said oxygen containing gas exits at not substantially reduced pressure at the opposing end of said mild steel pipe and at a mass flow rate which is at least capable of sustaining burning of said pipe and rods therein, thereby producing a blast of hot oxygen containing gas exiting from said mild steel pipe, said blast being capable of melting and mobilizing material from said large block, and
• iv) impinging said blast of hot oxygen containing gas on the surface of a large block, thereby melting a groove into said surface of said large block and mobilizing the melted material out of said groove.