IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO STEEL-MAKING VESSELS

摘要

An insert (6) is pushed into an eroded tap hole (5) of a steel-making vessel. This insert has outer and inner plates (7 and 8) formed from relatively thin steel sheet which will flex so as to adapt itself to the internal dimensions of the tap hole (5) as shown. Between the two plates (7 and 8) there is a tubular support member (9) defining a central passage-way (10) which has holes (11) formed in its side walls which communicate with the open volume (12) between the end plates (7 and 8). A supply hose (13) is connected to the tubular member (10), through which a settable material comprising a clay and binder in wet form is injected so that the whole volume between the end plates (7 and 8) is filled. At the temperatures experienced the clay material will set rapidly so as to block off the tap hole (5). When the steel has been formed and the steel-making vessel is tipped to enable the molten steel to be poured off through the tap hole, the hot molten material will rapidly melt the steel insert (6) and the set clay material, thus re-opening the tap hole (5).