The invention relates to a slide valve (20) having a slide valve plate (32) movable in a slide valve rail (29) between a locked position and an open position in a slide valve casing (26), said slide valve rail (29) being provided with a slide valve seal for attaining a gas-proof locked position, said slide valve rail (29) being connected to the slide valve casing (26) via a flange connection in such a manner that the slide valve rail (29) is removable from the slide valve casing (26) radially to a flow axis of the slide valve (20).

A pressurized cavity is provided around at least a portion or all of a regenerator, within which gas such as flue gas is maintained at a pressure in excess of the pressure within the regenerator, to protect against leakage of gas through the walls of the regenerator.

A method is provided for heating a furnace arranged with a heating zone heated with a burner providing a flame extending in a longitudinal direction and fed with a fuel and a primary oxidant, the burner is operated with a mass relationship between the fed fuel and primary oxidant permitting less than 50% of the fed fuel to be combusted using the primary oxidant, and a respective pair of secondary oxidant lances are provided one either side of the furnace pointing into the heating zone, lancing a secondary oxidant into the heating zone downstream of the burner substantially parallel with a cross plane, such that a temperature is measured downstream of the lances and that each of the lance pairs includes an upstream, low-speed first and a downstream, high-speed second lance, wherein the amount of secondary oxidant supplied via the first lance is regulated to achieve a homogenous lateral temperature profile. A related furnace is also provided.

A circulating apparatus for circulating the body of molten metal within an associated furnace is provided. The circulating apparatus includes a molded body with an inlet and an outlet. The inlet and the outlet are aligned with corresponding openings on the associated furnace. The inlet and the outlet define a flow chamber within the molded body. An inductor is secured to a portion of the molded body. The inductor is configured to pump molten metal from the associated furnace and into the flow chamber. A flow channel is spaced from the inlet and the outlet on the molded body. A dam assembly is positioned adjacent the outlet. The dam assembly is movable between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the outlet. The molten fluid flows back into the associated furnace when the dam assembly is in the raised position and the molten fluid flows to the flow channel when the dam assembly is in the lowered position.

A circulating apparatus for circulating the body of molten metal within an associated furnace is provided. The circulating apparatus includes a molded body with an inlet and an outlet. The inlet and the outlet are aligned with corresponding openings on the associated furnace. The inlet and the outlet define a flow chamber within the molded body. An inductor is secured to a portion of the molded body. The inductor is configured to pump molten metal from the associated furnace and into the flow chamber. A flow channel is spaced from the inlet and the outlet on the molded body. A dam assembly is positioned adjacent the outlet. The dam assembly is movable between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the outlet. The molten fluid flows back into the associated furnace when the dam assembly is in the raised position and the molten fluid flows to the flow channel when the dam assembly is in the lowered position.

Apparatus and a method of handling a molten metal processing by-product are provided in which the by-product is placed in a container unit and put in the apparatus, the apparatus including an element having a first position outside of the container and a second position in which at least a part of the element is in the container so as to compress the by-product and exclude oxygen from it. The element also serves to transfer heat from the contents of the container unit to the element and so provide cooling. The element can then be returned to the first position, the container unit be removed and placed at a cooling location for final cooling.

Apparatus and a method of handling a molten metal processing by-product are provided in which the by-product is placed in a container unit and put in the apparatus, the apparatus including an element having a first position outside of the container and a second position in which at least a part of the element is in the container so as to compress the by-product and exclude oxygen from it. The element also serves to transfer heat from the contents of the container unit to the element and so provide cooling. The element can then be returned to the first position, the container unit be removed and placed at a cooling location for final cooling.

A fluid cooled housing system for use in metal making furnaces. In particular, the present invention related to a novel and inventive housing and guard member configured to receive and protect an implement, such as a burner or a lance, used in connection with metal making furnaces. A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing comprising an outer shell and an inner shell that define a fluid chamber, an end cap, a bushing insert, a face plate, a fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet. Both the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are preferably in fluid communication with both the fluid chamber defined by the shells and a fluid chamber defined by the bushing insert. In alternative preferred embodiments, the housing system further comprises a guard member that preferably envelopes and further protects the fluid cooled housing.

According to one embodiment, a system includes an electrochemical cell that includes a crucible having a molten CaCO.sub.3:CaCl.sub.2:CaO mixture therein, where a cathode and an inert anode are positioned in the molten CaCO.sub.3:CaCl.sub.2:CaO mixture, and an inlet for feeding carbon dioxide gas into the molten CaCO.sub.3:CaCl.sub.2:CaO mixture. In addition, the system includes a furnace having an inert atmosphere therein, where the electrochemical cell is sealed in the furnace having the inert atmosphere.

A multiple hearth furnace in which in a gas space above at least one hearth an annular baffle is provided above the rabble arms of that hearth. The annular baffle modifies gas flow in the gas space, in particular gas residence times above the hearth. This in turn can enhance performance of the furnace, for example in respect of carbon monoxide emissions.