In a metallurgical vessel used for handling molten metal, a preformed refractory component forms part of a refractory structure that covers the bottom wall and side wall of the metallurgical vessel. The preformed refractory component is generally cup-shaped and formed of high-temperature refractory materials.

In a metallurgical vessel used for handling molten metal, a preformed refractory component forms part of a refractory structure that covers the bottom wall and side wall of the metallurgical vessel. The preformed refractory component is generally cup-shaped and formed of high-temperature refractory materials.

An apparatus for the simultaneous casting of multiple components using a directional solidification process includes; a pouring cup arranged on a centreline, an array of moulds encircling the pouring cup and centre line, an array of feed channels extending from the pouring cup to a top end of each mould, and a heat deflector. The heat deflector comprises a wall arranged between the array of moulds and the centreline extending along the length of the moulds and in thermal contact with the moulds.

An apparatus for the simultaneous casting of multiple components using a directional solidification process includes; a pouring cup arranged on a centreline, an array of moulds encircling the pouring cup and centre line, an array of feed channels extending from the pouring cup to a top end of each mould, and a heat deflector. The heat deflector comprises a wall arranged between the array of moulds and the centreline extending along the length of the moulds and in thermal contact with the moulds.

A casting nozzle for guiding a melt from an outlet of a casting furnace into a casting box, the casting nozzle comprising a main body; a crown attached to the main body; a guiding channel through the main body and crown; a stub on the main body, which stub has a front side that is insertable into a casting furnace outlet and into which the guiding channel enters; a flange on the stub on a side opposite to the front side for applying onto the casting furnace; and a crown socket that is formed at the flange opposite to the stub for carrying the crown. The casting nozzle in combination with a casting furnace and a casting box.

The invention relates to a refractory (fireproof) impact pad (also called impact pot).

A tube exchange device for holding and replacing refractory nozzle comprises a frame with a casting opening. The frame is configured to be fixed to the lower side of a metal casting vessel. The frame is has an upper portion and a lower portion joining at a middle section plane in which an inner nozzle and an exchangeable pouring nozzle form a sliding contact. The lower portion of the frame contains a displacing element and a guiding element disposed for displacing and guiding the nozzle from a standby position to a casting position, and a pressing element pressing the nozzle at the casting position towards the upper portion of the frame. In a combination of the tube exchange device and a nozzle, the nozzle comprises bearing elements mating with the clamping elements of the tube exchange device.

A gas purging plug for blowing gas into a metallurgical vessel, having the form of an elongated body made of a first refractory material, contains a final visual wear indicator in the form of an elongated core extending from an inlet end to a distance, along a central longitudinal axis, less than the length of the elongated body. The final visual wear indicator is made of a second refractory material that differs in visual appearance from the first refractory material between 800 and 1500 degrees C. The plug also contains an intermediate visual wear indicator extending from the inlet end to a point between the end of the final visual wear indicator and the opposite end of the elongated body. The intermediate visual wear indicator is made of a third refractory material that differs in visual appearance from the first and second refractory materials between 800 and 1500 degrees C.

A gas purging plug for blowing gas into a metallurgical vessel, having the form of an elongated body made of a first refractory material, contains a final visual wear indicator in the form of an elongated core extending from an inlet end to a distance, along a central longitudinal axis, less than the length of the elongated body. The final visual wear indicator is made of a second refractory material that differs in visual appearance from the first refractory material between 800 and 1500 degrees C. The plug also contains an intermediate visual wear indicator extending from the inlet end to a point between the end of the final visual wear indicator and the opposite end of the elongated body. The intermediate visual wear indicator is made of a third refractory material that differs in visual appearance from the first and second refractory materials between 800 and 1500 degrees C.

A melting and holding furnace includes a main body and a material input mechanism supplying a molten metal to the body which includes a melting chamber; a molten metal receiving chamber; a pumping-out chamber; and a molten metal heating mechanism. The input mechanism includes a molten-metal surface level sensor to detect that the surface height position of the metal in the pumping-out chamber has reached a lower limit that is set to be above the lower surface height position of a lid of the melting chamber, and is set to supply the receiving chamber with the metal and/or the metal block when the sensor detects that the surface height position of the metal in the pumping-out chamber has reached the lower limit so that the surface height position of the metal in the pumping-out chamber is always kept above the lower surface height position of the lid.