Apparatus and method for introducing substances into liquid metal

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.