Oxygen lance for steel-making, with connector plate assemblies - releasably connected together and having complementary slots, O=rings and vent tube

摘要

A steel making lance assembly includes a top support member having oxygen and wate inlet and outlet pipes communicating with slotted openings of a first connector plate assembly. The latter is releasably connected to a second connector plate assembly which includes complementary slots for registering with those of the first assembly. A lance is connected to the oxygen and water inlet and outlet pipes of the second assembly. A vent passage is provided in one of the plate assemblies. An oxygen pipe stub is positioned in relative telescopic sliding relation to the lower portion of the oxygen pipes. The provision of a quick-connect-disconnect locking arrangement permits quick removal of the second plate assembly for repair and replacement. Leakage of oxygen into the water pipes is practically eliminated using O-ring seals. Any leakage of individual O-rings is vented to the atmosphere via the venting arrangement. The slots in the plates are easily registerable and only a single lance carriage need be employed with the top support member in position.