Various embodiments provide for a gas purging plug (10) with a ceramic refractory body (10k) with a first end (10u) and a second end (10o); the second end (10o) is in the mounted position of the gas purging plug (10) in contact with a metal melt (41); the first end (10u) is at least partially covered with a metal cover (12.1), the metal cover (12.1) comprises an opening (16) to which optionally a gas supply adapter (20) is connected; the gas purging plug (10) is designed in such a way, that a purging gas which is supplied via the gas supply pipe (30) to the opening (16) flows through the body (10k) and exits the body (10k) at the second end (10o); and wherein at least one electronic sensor (70, 70.1, 70.2, 70.3, 70.4) is in contact with the gas purging plug (10), to detect a mechanical vibration (81).

Various embodiments provide for a gas purging plug (10) with a ceramic refractory body (10k) with a first end (10u) and a second end (10o); the second end (10o) is in the mounted position of the gas purging plug (10) in contact with a metal melt (41); the first end (10u) is at least partially covered with a metal cover (12.1), the metal cover (12.1) comprises an opening (16) to which optionally a gas supply adapter (20) is connected; the gas purging plug (10) is designed in such a way, that a purging gas which is supplied via the gas supply pipe (30) to the opening (16) flows through the body (10k) and exits the body (10k) at the second end (10o); and wherein at least one electronic sensor (70, 70.1, 70.2, 70.3, 70.4) is in contact with the gas purging plug (10), to detect a mechanical vibration (81).

A tuyere comprising an inner tube including a lower section having a first diameter, an upper section having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and a converging transition section having a converging angle Θ from 30° to 60° connecting the lower section to the upper section, the inner tube terminating in an inner nozzle at a downstream end of the upper section; and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube so as to create an annulus there between, the outer tube including a lower section having a third diameter larger than the first diameter, an upper section having a fourth diameter smaller than the third diameter but larger than the second diameter, and a converging transition section having connecting the lower section to the upper section, the outer tube terminating in an outer nozzle at a downstream end of the upper section.

Gas purging system comprising a gas purging plug (10) and gas purging plug (10) for metallurgic applications and a gas supply pipe (30) connected to the gas purging plug (10), the gas purging plug (10) with a ceramic refractory body (10k) with a first end (10u) and a second end (100); the second end (100) is in the mounted position of the gas purging plug (10) in contact with a metal melt (41); the first end (10u) is at least partially covered with a metal cover (12.1), the metal cover (12.1) comprises an opening (16) to which optionally a gas supply adapter (20) is connected; the gas purging plug (10) is designed in such a way, that a purging gas which is supplied via the gas supply pipe (30) to the opening (16) flows through the body (10k) and exits the body (10k) at the second end (100); and wherein at least one electronic sensor (70, 70.1, 70.2, 70.3, 70.4) is in contact with the gas purging plug (10), to detect an oscillation waveform of a mechanical vibration (81). The gas purging system further comprises a data processing unit (80) for acquiring the oscillation waveform of a mechanical vibration (81) detected by the electronic sensor (70, 70.1, 70.2, 70.3, 70.4) of the gas purging plug (10) and for calculating a bubble index-signal (83) from the oscillation waveform of a mechanical vibration (81) detected; a control unit (100); wherein the control unit (100) is configured to: displaying the bubble index-signal (83) and/or varying the volume flow (102) through the gas supply pipe (30) depending on the bubble index signal (83) and/or -generating a warning signal (101) when the bubble index signal (83) lies outside a defined range.

Gas purging system comprising a gas purging plug (10) and gas purging plug (10) for metallurgic applications and a gas supply pipe (30) connected to the gas purging plug (10), the gas purging plug (10) with a ceramic refractory body (10k) with a first end (10u) and a second end (100); the second end (100) is in the mounted position of the gas purging plug (10) in contact with a metal melt (41); the first end (10u) is at least partially covered with a metal cover (12.1), the metal cover (12.1) comprises an opening (16) to which optionally a gas supply adapter (20) is connected; the gas purging plug (10) is designed in such a way, that a purging gas which is supplied via the gas supply pipe (30) to the opening (16) flows through the body (10k) and exits the body (10k) at the second end (100); and wherein at least one electronic sensor (70, 70.1, 70.2, 70.3, 70.4) is in contact with the gas purging plug (10), to detect an oscillation waveform of a mechanical vibration (81). The gas purging system further comprises a data processing unit (80) for acquiring the oscillation waveform of a mechanical vibration (81) detected by the electronic sensor (70, 70.1, 70.2, 70.3, 70.4) of the gas purging plug (10) and for calculating a bubble index-signal (83) from the oscillation waveform of a mechanical vibration (81) detected; a control unit (100); wherein the control unit (100) is configured to: displaying the bubble index-signal (83) and/or varying the volume flow (102) through the gas supply pipe (30) depending on the bubble index signal (83) and/or -generating a warning signal (101) when the bubble index signal (83) lies outside a defined range.

A tuyere comprising an inner tube including a lower section having a first diameter, an upper section having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and a converging transition section having a converging angle from 15 to 35 connecting the lower section to the upper section, the inner tube terminating in an inner nozzle at a downstream end of the upper section; and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube so as to create an annulus there between, the outer tube including a lower section having a third diameter larger than the first diameter, an upper section having a fourth diameter smaller than the third diameter but larger than the second diameter, and a converging transition section having connecting the lower section to the upper section, the outer tube terminating in an outer nozzle at a downstream end of the upper section.

The invention relates to a gas purging device for installation in a metallurgical vessel, said device having the following features in a position installed in the bottom of the metallurgical vessel: a lower, largely gas-tight base part, a gas line runs in the base part from a first end in the region of a first outer face of the base part to a second end in the region of a second outer face of the base part, the second end of the gas line is formed as a first portion of a coupling, a second portion of a coupling is located in the region of an outer connection face of a functional part, by means of which the functional part rests against the base part, a gas distribution device runs in the functional part from the second portion of the coupling, through the functional part, to at least one free surface of the functional part formed as a gas outlet face, the base part and functional part are each made of a refractory ceramic material.

A method of operating a BOF bottom stir tuyere having an inner nozzle surrounded by an annular nozzle, including during a hot metal pour phase and a blow phase, flowing an inert gas through both nozzles; during a tap phase, initiating a flow of a first reactant through the inner nozzle and a flow of a second reactant through the annular nozzle, and ceasing the flow of inert gas through the nozzles, wherein the first and second reactants includes fuel and oxidant, respectively, or vice-versa, such that a flame forms as the fuel and oxidant exit the tuyere; during a slag splash phase, continuing the flows of fuel and oxidant to maintain the flame; and after ending the slag splash phase and commencement of another hot metal pour phase, initiating a flow of inert gas through both nozzles and ceasing the flows of the first and second reactants.

A method of operating a BOF bottom stir tuyere having an inner nozzle surrounded by an annular nozzle, including during a hot metal pour phase and a blow phase, flowing an inert gas through both nozzles; during a tap phase, initiating a flow of a first reactant through the inner nozzle and a flow of a second reactant through the annular nozzle, and ceasing the flow of inert gas through the nozzles, wherein the first and second reactants includes fuel and oxidant, respectively, or vice-versa, such that a flame forms as the fuel and oxidant exit the tuyere; during a slag splash phase, continuing the flows of fuel and oxidant to maintain the flame; and after ending the slag splash phase and commencement of another hot metal pour phase, initiating a flow of inert gas through both nozzles and ceasing the flows of the first and second reactants.

A socket installation structure of a refractory article is designed to prevent gas leakage therein. A first flange is provided between an outward end and an inward end of a socket, and a face of the first flange on the side of an inward end thereof is bonded to an article body of the refractory article through a sealing material. Further, a face of the first flange on the side of an outward end thereof faces a metal plate disposed around the outward end or a second flange provided on the side of the outward end, through a low thermally-conductive material layer made of a low thermally-conductive material having a thermal conductivity at room temperature of 40 (W/(m.Math.K)) or less.